A lovely lace slouch hat for your siblings, sisters under the skin, and just for those sisters who want to do it for themsleves.

The sister hat fetaures custom designed lace flowing out of a twisted rib brim into a moderately slouchy hat. This was blocked flat with a simple wash and dry flat, but a more exaggerated slouch could be achieved by blocking the lace more aggressively. My silver sample has an elasticated brim to support the extra weight of the silk content in the yarn (instructions for this are provided).

The pattern is also available as part of The hat family ebook, a collection of hats for the whole family (see link at top of page).

Sizes
Choose a size approx 2in /5cm inches less (or even a bit more if you prefer your hat to be snug fitting - hat is shown modelled with about 7cm negative ease) than your actual head circumference:

finished brim circumference is:

18 months-4 years: 40cm/15 ¾ in
4 years- adult small: 45 cm/ 17 ¾
Medium adult: 50cm/19 ¾in
Large adult: 55cm/ 21 ¾ in

Note that the smallest size is written for more of a beanie shape as slouchy hats can be less manageable for the smallest children. However if you prefer the full slouch it is easy to add an extra half repeat of the pattern and full instructions are provided for this. See the pretty blue version by shawncknits for reference.

Yarn & yardage:
This hat is designed for DK weight yarn. I used a silk/merino mix yarn: the Diana dk listed above. I would rate this as a pretty heavy DK, so some light worsted yarns may be good substitutes. A yarn that will wet-block successfully is recommmended.

Smooth merino yarns such as the wollmeise listed also make a good choice here as they offer great stitch definition. The hat can of course be made with any wool or even acrylic yarn. Bear in mind that you may need to steam block yarns made of man made fibres to open the lace and acheive the full length of the hat.

18 months-4 years: 120m/130yds
4 years- adult small: 150m/165yds
Medium adult: 175m/190yds
Large adult: 195m/215yds

Notions
8, (9,10,11) stitch markers
elastic for the brim (optional, but recommended with silk mix yarns).

Gauge:
24 stitches over 10cm/4 in over the ribbing (row gauge is not critical for the ribbing). 32 rows per 10cm/4 in over the main lace pattern (unstretched).

Skills
Provisional cast on (optional, but recommended with silk mix yarns)
Knit and purl, including knitting to the back loop
Knitting in the round
Basic lace knitting skills (yarn overs before knit stitches, double decreases, paired decreases etc)

Pattern contains
Written and charted instructions for the ribbing, main stitch pattern and crown decreases

Links to tutorials for the suggested cast on and bind off methods.

Information on how to work additional length if your row gauge on the lace is short.

Instructions for elasticating the brim.