This free hat release celebrates the launch of the Hatstar ebook which I collaborated with Knotions to produce. Find out how to design your own hats and improve your hat knitting, with everything from the right cast on to how to calculate crown decreases for the shape of hat you want. Preview it now from the link above.

A pretty, feminine, hat for ushering in the cooler weather, Sweetly is a very slightly long beanie to give a bit more of a fashionable look to a close-fitting hat. It can also be worked as a slightly slouchy/pointy hat ideal for a pompom.

The beautiful stitch pattern is worked with an interesting but uncomplicated manoeuvre; one to add to the repertoire. No cables needles or special equipment are needed, so this is great travel knitting. And in this gorgeous Eden cottage yarn, it all goes so sweetly.

The stitch can also be worked in two colours to make a charming starred fabric (see the example by mjm).

Matching fingerless mitts for this hat are also available.

Pattern contains
The pattern is fully written out and also has charts for the main rise and crown patterns.

Sizes
Choose a size approx. 10 cm (4 in) less than your actual head size for a snug fit (the stitch pattern pulls in on itself a good deal when not worn, hence whilst this might seem like a lot of negative ease it is only actually about half this amount of negative ease when worn).

Finished circumference
age approx 4 years- adult small 44cm/17 ¼ in
Adult M 48cm/19 in
Adult L 56cm/22 in

Shown in adult small on a head circ of 21in/53cm and a 9-year-old with a 53 cm head

Needles:
Size US 6 (4 mm) circular for main pattern
Size US 5 (3.75 mm) circular for ribbing
Or correct needles to obtain gauge (I used smaller needles than this as I am a looser that average knitter).
You can use DPNS if you prefer. Pattern assumes magic loop, but you may substitute your preferred method for small circumference knitting when decreasing the crown.

Gauge:
25 sts to10cm/4in over main embroidery stitch pattern. Note this is a very stretchy pattern and gauge measurement is taken with the fabric laid flat and relaxed.

Skills required:
Knitting in the round
decreasing
one special stitch manoeuvre

Notions

tapestry needle to weave in ends.

Yarn and yardage
Oakworth DK in Briar Rose
by Eden Cottage Yarns
DK / 8 ply
100% superwash Wool
245yds/224 meters to 100 grams

One skein of the suggested yarn is sufficient for all sizes.

4 years- adult small: 145yds/135m
Adult M: 180yds/165m
Adult L: 210yds/190m

Slouch hats will be better worked with a yarn with plenty of drape if you want a relaxed folded slouch as opposed to a pointy crown for a pompom; superwash yarns will be better than untreated wool or try something with silk or alpaca content (Eden cottage Titus would be ideal).