This beautiful cloche-style hat uses a combination of brioche increases, decreases and syncopation to create the branching leaves. This leaf motif was originally developed for the Sylvan Tales Shawl, but since I’m a bit obsessed with these leaves I wanted to make some matching accessories! This hat matches the Sylvan Tales Mitts.

The hat brim is worked flat and shaped using short rows, then joined in-the-round to work the brioche stitches.

The hat features an optional knitted-in hem on the brim. A video tutorial link is provided for this hem, but your favorite stretchy cast-on method may be substituted.

The pattern includes both charts and written instructions for the leaves. Also provided are links to video tutorials for the brioche decreases.

Finished Size
Length: 9.25 in/24 cm at the longest point
Circumference: 18 in/46 cm
(all measurements taken unstretched)

Recommended Yarn
Magpie Fibers Swanky Sock yarn, 80% Superwash Merino/10% Cashmere/10% Nylon, 400 yards/366 meters/115 grams

Two colors:
MC: 93 yards / 86 meters
CC: 160 yards / 146 meters

Sample was knit using the Ashe colorway for the main color and the Masquerade colorway for the contrast color.

If you’d like to substitute the yarn, a heavy fingering or sport weight yarn should work.

The leaves are worked in the main color. I recommend using the lighter color for the main color.

Needles
US size 2/2.75 mm 16 in/40 cm circular
US size 2 DPNs or 32 in/80 cm or longer circular for magic loop
Or size needed to obtain gauge
US size 1/ 2.25 mm is recommended to work the provisional cast-on and hems

Notions scissors, tapestry needle, stitch markers, cable hook or needle (for the br4st dec), crochet hook (for provisional cast-on)

Gauge
24 sts and 60 rows = 4 in/10 cm in garter worked flat with the larger needles.
23 sts and 34 rounds = 4 in/10 cm in two-color brioche rib stitch worked in-the-round with the larger needles.

Skills Needed knitting, purling; brioche stitches including brk, brp, sl1yo; brioche increases and decreases including brkyobrk, brpyobrp, br4st inc, brLsl dec OR brLsl Uw dec, brRsl dec, brpLsl dec, brpRsl dec, br4st dec; provisional cast-on (optional), three-needle join (optional)

Sources For more information about the brioche stitch and terminology used in this pattern, visit Nancy Marchant’s site http://www.briochestitch.com.
The unwrapped BrLsl decrease was created by Xandy Peters.

If you want to come hang out in my Ravelry group while knitting the hat (or knitting anything, really!) I’d love to see what you’re up to!

Pattern has been professionally tech edited and tested.

If you reside within the state of Colorado, USA, you may be charged a sales tax of 4% of the purchase price.