Friday, November 02, 2007

Butterfly Hat

I recently came up with a pattern for a hat using the butterfly stitch, which continues almost all the way through the decreases at the top of the hat. I don't really maintain a blog, but this seems like a good place to publish the pattern. So, without further ado, here it is (this pattern is also available as a pdf download on Ravelry).



Butterfly Hat Pattern

Size: Adult (approx. 20 inch circumference)

Materials:
Cascade 220 Superwash, approx. half a ball.

Tools:
#7/4.5mm circular needle
#5/3.75mm circular needle
#7/4.5mm double-pointed needles
stitch marker
tapestry needle

Gauge:
20 sts/26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette using larger needle.

Abbreviations:
yif = yarn in front
yib = yarn in back
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
ssk = slip the next 2 stitches knit-wise, then knit them together
s = slip (when slipping stitches, make sure to spread them out, so that your floats are even and don't bunch up)
make butterfly = With your right needle pick up the 5 floats by inserting the needle under the floats from the bottom up, then insert the right needle into the next stitch on the left needle. Knit the stitch and the 5 floats together.


With the smaller circular needles, CO 100 stitches. Place stitch marker and join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches.

Ribbing:
Knit in k2, p2 rib for 1 1/2"

Main body:
Switch to the larger circular needles.
Round 1, 3, 5, 7, 9: [k5, yif, s5, yib] repeat to end.
Round 2, 4, 6, 8: Knit.
Round 10: [k7, make butterfly, k2] repeat to end.
Round 11, 13, 15, 17, 19: [yif, s5, yib, k5] repeat to end.
Round 12, 14, 16, 18: Knit.
Round 20: [k2, make butterfly, k7] repeat to end.
Repeat rows 1-20 one more time, or until ready to start decreasing.

Decrease: (at some point, when the knitting gets too tight for the circulars, switch to DPNs)
Round 1-3: Repeat rounds 1-3 of the main body section.
Round 4: [k5, k2tog, k3] repeat to end.
Round 5, 7: [k5, yif, s4, yib] repeat to end.
Round 6: Knit.
Round 8: [k7, ssk] repeat to end.
Round 9: [k5, yif, s3, yib] repeat to end.
Round 10: [k6, make butterfly, k1] repeat to end.
Round 11, 13: [yif, s5, yib, k3] repeat to end.
Round 12: Knit.
Round 14: [k2tog, k6] repeat to end.
Round 15, 17: [yif, s4, yib, k3] repeat to end.
Round 16: Knit.
Round 18: [k2, ssk, k3] repeat to end.
Round 19: [yif, s3, yib, k3] repeat to end.
Round 20: [k1, make butterfly, k4] repeat to end.
Round 21: [k4, k2tog] repeat to end.
Round 22: [k3, k2tog] repeat to end.
Round 23: [k2, k2tog] repeat to end.
Round 24: [k1, k2tog] repeat to end.
Round 25: [k2tog] repeat to end.

Cut off the thread, leaving a 6" tail. Using a tapestry needle, slip the remaining stitches onto the yarn tail, bring the tail to the wrong side through the center and pull tight. Weave in the ends and you're done!

17 comments:

VillageCrone said...

I love this hat. I saw it on Raverly.

I'm having a problem with the pattern. What do you mean by s5?

Unknown said...

I believe it means "slip five" stitches.

Love the hat and I must make time for it to get on my needles.

Martsuli said...

I love this pattern! Thanks for sharing it!

jennsquared said...

I love the hat. That looks great! BTW, I love your WIP & FO gallery. I'm not very code savvy, do you mind sharing?

Unknown said...

I like this hat and i have knitting 3 of them. Thank you for the pattern.

J. said...

Wow that is so pretty! How do you get your knitting projects on the side like that? :D

Mom IsAmagpie said...

Someone sent me a hat using this pattern for a charity drive for the local schools, and it is so fabulous I'm about to cast on for my youngest. Thanks for such a wonderful pattern.

Unknown said...

Hey everyone,

Check out my page: KnitMatt

I made the butterfly hat as my 3rd project. It took me about 20 hours and I followed the instructions found here - they were incredible! It looks like the version on this page is 80 stitches on, then increased to 100, then decreased. Even if it's not - I wish I would've made mine that way because it's not snug enough on the bottom. But for my 3rd project ever, it is increbile! Thanks so much.

Matt Hackney (yes, I'm a dude)

Nancy said...

You are a great knitter!!! It's amazing how many artists are also knitters/crocheters/quilters. I don't know why I'm surprised, it's all creative!

I've joined Ravelry...and will watch your blog as well as enjoy your EDM posts!

As Vickie Howell says, "Knit On"!

Unknown said...

Hi.
I have translated this pattern in swedish for my own account, and is wondering if it´s ok if I give my translation to others who are not that good in translating from english to swedish?
Best Regards
Sara Eckered Göransson, Sweden

Christine said...

Lovely pattern, thank you.

Draq said...

Hi There. If I use an aran weight (8 ply) yarn can I still make this hat but with smaller needles. I am band new to gauge and the like.

Unknown said...

Hi. This pattern is very pretty. going to start working on it very soon. my daughter commissioned it for her teacher who is leaving at winter break to start chemo. thanks for the inspiration.

jane.ottesen@yahoo,com said...

I am having trouble understanding how to do the butterfly could you explain the yif and yib are these each a stitch

Unknown said...

yif just means to bring your yarn to the front of your knitting (like you are going to purl). Then slip the next 5 stitches from the left needle to the right needle. You then take your yarn, stretch it over the front of the 5 stitches that you just slipped to the right needle and 'yib' means to take the yarn across the right needle to the back of your work. Be sure that your 5 slipped stitches are 'spread out' to normal spacing so that they are not too tight and will work at the right tension on the next round.

Unknown said...

Can I make a child's version of this by simply reducing the number of stitches (in multiples of 10), say to 60?

Bwhidden said...

Made this with beads in the butterfly. This is an extremely well written pattern! Thank you!