Blackberry Surprise

by BabyCocktails

I didn’t plan on writing this hat up, but now that it’s done, I’m thinking it
might just be a catchy thing. I wanted a bulky slouchy hat without cables,
but still with something interesting going on. So, I played with a few YOs
and some ribs and I ended up with smocking in a gorgeous soft heathered
violet.

This took no time and I think the final product looks a lot more
complicated that it really is. I hope you like it!

Yarn – 150 yds. soft bulky yarn. I used 1 skein, plus a bit more, of
Cascade 128 Superwash Heathers in Rainer
Needles - One set of US#8 16” circs and one of US#10 16” circs. Plus
one set of US#10 DPNs.
Notions - darning needle and one marker
Sizing - One size fits most adult heads. (approx. 21” around)
Gauge - 14 stitches = 4” on US#10s

Directions:
Using your #8 circular needle cast on 72 stitches.
You’ll work K1, P1 rib for 1.5” on the #8s. Place a marker at the join and work in the round.

At 1.5”, continue with your #8s, and work one row of (K2, YO)s. (Repeat all the way around.)
Next row, you’ll knit all your stitches. You now have 108.

Next row, switch to #10s. (P3,K1) 27x around.

Work in (P3, K1) rib for 1.5”.

Next row, (P1, Pf&b, P1, K1) 27x around. You now have 135 sts.
Work in (P4, K1) rib for 4”.

Check that you like the length of the hat at this point, as you’ll begin decreasing next. It might seem a little wide, but the
smocking pulls things in a little, so don’t worry about that.

Next row, (P1, P2tog, P1, K1) 27x.

Work 3 rows of P3, K1.

Next row, (P1, P2tog, K1) 27x

Work 3 rows of P2, K1.

Next row, (P2tog, K1) 27x

Work 3 rows of P1, K1.
Switch to DPNs whenever you need to here. K2tog all the way around until you have around 10 sts on your needles.

Use the darning needle to weave the tail through the loops and pull gently.

Smocking

When you look at the slim knit-stitch ribs on the hat, you’ll see 27 of them.

You’ll be smocking two together and leaving the third straight all the way around. This will leave you with 9 straight ribs
and 9 “loops” alternating around the hat - Smock 2 together, leave one, smock 2, leave one… Get it?

So, take your first 2 ribs.

Count up 10 rows and smock these two knit stitches (1 from each rib) together with waste yarn. Keep your stitch simple
and pull gently. You can either smock with your waste yarn under the Vs invisibly or make a visible horizontal stitch over
them. Both look good. Just be consistent and keep it clean looking. You only need a couple passes with the yarn, to
avoid a big bump. Knot each “smock” and cut yarn ends.

Count up 10 more stitches on these two ribs and repeat. You’ll have smocked two long “loops”, evenly spaced,
between the ribs.

Skip the third rib and repeat the smocking with the next two.

Continue this way all around until you have 9 double loops and 9 straight ribs. Weave in the ends.

I didn’t block since I like the puffiness of the hat and don’t think smocking needs it. You do what you like.

Weave in ends and enjoy!

(The first smock is in the underside of the hat– you only see the second from the top view)

Pattern and images: Copyright 2010 BabyCocktails. Photos on head Copyright 2010 Splityarn. For personal use only. Do not sell, distribute or reproduce any part of
this pattern or the knitted product. Thanks!