I have created this hat pattern as a great beginner brioche pattern for those wanting to learn how to increase and decrease brioche stitches. If you would like a more enhanced version of the pattern, as well as videos teaching you the techniques found in this pattern, please sign up for Part Three of my online course, Mastering Brioche with Knit Graffiti.

Prairie Lace Hat :: A fuzzy, dreamy, delicate lace hat, knit using a combination of two-color brioche lace, a ribbed brim and a bit of stranded color work.

If you sign up or are already signed up for the online course, do not buy this!! This pattern and the Prairie Lace Shawl are both part of the course materials!

Skill level: Intermediate. Learning new techniques in brioche knitting in the round is fantastic!! Techniques used: knit, purl, brioche knit (brk), brioche purl (brp), brioche increases and decreases, knitting in the round, long tail tubular cast on, corrugated ribbing.

Construction Notes: This hat is knit completely in the round starting at the bottom of the brim and worked up to the top of the crown. You will begin with the Long Tail Tubular Cast On, which creates a beautifully machine-made look and is perfect for 1x1 ribbing, of which the brim is made. You will cast on using your Main Color yarn for a color pop, then switch to your Contrast Color yarn. Before transitioning to Two-Color Brioche, you will create a small Corrugated Ribbed stripe. This will make a fun transition to the Prairie Lace in the body of the hat. The Main Body of the hat is knit using the Prairie Lace pattern, before beginning the crown shaping using Two-Color Brioche decreases.

One Adult size: 18” / 45.5 cm circumference and 9.5” / 24 cm height (taken after blocking)

Size Notes: This hat is meant to be worn with negative ease. The ribbing and corrugated ribbing as part of the brim creates a tighter fit, while the brioche of the main body of the hat opens up and is a bit more loose fitting. The hat is shown on a 22” / 56 cm circumference head, worn with 4” / 10 cm of negative ease.

MATERIALS:

Yarn: Fingering weight held together with lace weight (yardage listed is for each weight); or DK weight yarn held single

Main Color (MC): 100 yds / 91 m
Contrast Color (CC): 120 yds / 110 m

Shown in: The Farmers Daughter Fibers
MC: 1 skein Moon Sisters in Desert Rose (pink; 75% SW Merino wool, 20% Nylon, 5% Stellina; 438 yds / 391 m per 100 g) held with 1 skein Oh Dang! in Lulu (pink; 74% Alpaca, 26% Silk; 328 yds / 300 m per 50g)
CC: 1 skein Moon Sisters in Eagle Eye (rust) held with 1 skein Mighty Mo in Eagle Eye (rust; 70% Kid Mohair, 30% Silk; 459 yds / 420 m per 50g)

DK Version:
MC: 1 skein Juicy DK in Cowboy Country (light speckled; 100% SW Merino; 274 yds / 100 g)
CC: 1 skein Juicy DK in York (dark green; 100% SW Merino; 274 yds / 100 g)

Yarn Notes: If you are learning brioche increases and decreases for the first time, I highly recommend using DK weight yarn held single for this pattern.

Needles: 16” / 40.5 cm US 4 / 3.5 mm circular needle for the brim and body of the hat; 40” / 101.5 cm (for Magic Loop method) or DPNs of the same size for the crown shaping. Or size needed to obtain gauge.

Tools: tapestry needle, row counter, stitch marker for noting beginning of round, cable needle or stitch marker for use with decreasing sts, 6 contrasting stitch markers for dividing lace sections

Gauge: 20 sts x 28 rounds = 4” / 10 cm; measured in two-color brioche lace stitch in the round (taken after blocking).

Many many thanks to Candice English of The Farmers Daughter Fibers for her sponsorship and yarn support for this design, as well as for Part Three of my online course, Mastering Brioche with Knit Graffiti! I also want to thank my amazing Tech Editor, Meaghan Schmaltz, for her efforts and expertise!!