Inspired by some quirky millinery hats from the 50s, Plump is half envelope hat and half beret, and wants to be scrunched, slumped and shaken to be worn as preferred!
It has no assigned front/back and can be freely arranged in a slouched or fitted way depending on the wearer’s style and mood. The suggested yarn is a springy merino or merino mix, knitted in garter stitch at a tight gauge: the resulting woven-like fabric has a very pleasant feel and, at the same time, is essential to hold the desired shape.

The hat is knitted top-down, starting from a two needles cast on, and molded with usual increases, decreases and short-rows for a shape that is both flat and three-dimensional; two tucks are added to enhance the slouched effect, and explanations for a simplified way of knitting them are provided.

Yarn
Approximately 180 (200) yards/170 (190) m of worsted weight yarn.
1 skein of Orange Flower SW Merino | WORSTED (100% Merino; 100g - 218 yards/199 meters)
Sample is shown in shade Meteorite.

Needles
A US 4 (3.5 mm) 16” / 40 cm circular (or dpns)
A US 4 (3.5 mm) 24” / 60 cm or longer circular for Judy’s Magic Cast On and if working in the round with Magic Loop
A US 2 1⁄2 (3 mm) 16” / 40 cm circular (or dpns)
or needle to obtain gauge

Gauge
22 sts & 44 rows = 10cm / 4” in garter st with US 4 (3.5 mm) needles after washing or steaming: no blocking required

Sizes
To fit size: Small-Medium = 19 - 20 1⁄2” / 48-52 cm (Medium-Large = 20 1⁄2- 22” / 52-56 cm)
Finished brim circumference: 16 1⁄2” / 41.5cm (17 3⁄4 / 45 cm)
For a baby/child size knit the Small-Medium size with a DK weight yarn, lighter and more suitable - at a gauge of 24 sts with a US 1 (2,5 mm) needle for the body and US 0 (2 mm) needle for the brim the brim will measure approximately 14 3⁄4” (37.5 cm) with an extimated yardage of 205 yards/195 m

Tools
Stitch markers (2) - tapestry needle

Skill Level
Intermediate