Monk Hat Pattern

So a while ago, I wrote up a pattern for a cabley-slouchy hat that I had posted in Craftster and I figured it was a good idea to write it up somewhere more accessible. So here it is:

Monk Hat

Materials: to be safe: 200 yards of worsted weight yarn (it may take less, but my hat was from recycled wool and I’m not sure of the exact yardage: if anyone else makes it, let me know

Size 8 16” circular needle (or needle size to give YOU the correct gauge)
One stitch marker to mark beginning of round
Tapestry needle for weaving in ends.

Gauge: 15 sts over 4” in 2x2 ribbing

Cable Stitches:

3 st RPC: Sl 1 st to cn and hold back, k2, p1 from cn

3 st LPC: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold front, p1, k2 from cn

4 st RC: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold back, k2, k2 from cn

4 st RPC: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold back, k2, p2 from cn

4 st LPC: Sl 2 sts to cn and hold front, p2, k2 from cn


CO 88 sts and join for working in the round being careful not to twist sts
Knit in K2, P2 rib for 1.5-2” (or as much as you would like)

After ribbing, increase 22 sts evenly across row to 110 sts total (or for a smaller, less tam like hat, CO and increase fewer sts, however always keeping amount of sts in multiple of 20 + 10)

You now have 110 sts on circular needle and you can begin cable work:

ROW 1: P3, K2, *K2, P3, K2, P6, K2, P3, K2, rep from* end K2, P3.

ROW 2: rep row 1

ROW 3: P3, *4 st RC, P3, 3 st LPC, P4, 3 st RPC, P3, rep from* end 4 st RC, P3.

ROW 4: P3, K2 *(K2, P4) 3X, K2 rep from * end K2, P3.

ROW 5: P1, 4 st RPC, *4 st LPC, p2, 4 st LPC, 4 st RPC, p2, 4 st RPC rep from* end: 4st LPC, P1

ROWS 6 & 12: P1, K2, P2, *P2, K2, P4, K4, P4, K2, P2 rep from* end: P2, K2, P1

ROW 7: 3 st RPC, P2 *P2, 3 st LPC, P3, 4 st RC, P3, 3 st RPC, P2 rep from* end: p2, 3st LPC

ROWS 8 & 10: K2, P3, *P3, K2, P3, K4, P3, K2, P3, rep from* end P3, K2.

ROW 9: K2, P3 *P3, K2, P3, K4, P3, K2, P3, rep from* end: P3, K2

ROW 11: 3 st LPC, P2 *P2, 3 st RPC, P3, 4 st RC, P3, 3 st LPC, P2, rep from* end: P2, 3 st RPC

ROW 13: P1, 4 st LPC, *4 st RPC, P2, 4 st RPC, 4 st LPC, P2, 4 st LPC, rep from * end: 4 st RPC, P1.

ROW 14: P3, K2, *(K2, P4) 3X, K2, rep from* end: K2, P3.

ROW 15: P3, *4 st RC, P3, 3 st RPC, P4, 3 st LPC, P3, rep from* end: 4 st RC, P3

ROW 16: P3, K2 *K2, P3, K2, P6, K2, P3, K2, rep from* end K2, P3.

Repeat rows 1-16 until desired length (before decreasing). Mine is about 9” from the beginning which will result in a slouchy, tam like hat. If you want more of a beanie, definitely start decreasing sooner.

In mine, I decreased sharply, knitting or purling 2 together each round (where appropriate) until the cables were no longer noticeable, then k2together each round until 6 sts remain to pull yarn through and secure. Sorry this is not more detailed, honestly though, I did it without a plan, just purling two together when there were multiple purl sts and knitting 2 together when there were multiple knit sts. It seemed to work out fine… and once I got to the absolute crown I just switched to decreasing in stockinette.

Weave in ends. Block. Dry. Put it on and try to be as cool as Monk. Although you won’t be.

First Post!

I have always seemed to avoid making up a blog, but the other day I was struck with the perfect title to encapsulate my life these days and it felt like it was time. Really, what I think I want from this blog is a venue to express my thoughts, frustrations, and interactions that come with the daily life of working in an animal shelter, combined with the everyday hobby that has become more of a habit: knitting.

I don't know if I expect anyone to read this blog, or even care, but it just seems like a natural progression for me. In college, I studied English Lit and have always had an interest in writing. I've always kept journals, until recently. Knitting has taken up most of my free time so I haven't really journaled at all. So this blog seems like a viable solution.

I started working at the NWPA Humane Society about 4 years ago, just part time, and would travel selling posters in between time at the shelter. About three months ago, things sort of fell into place and I've been able to become full-time there which is kind of amazing. Often times I'm able to combine knitting and shelter life and knit some stuff for the kids at the shelter:

Every month old Pit Bull puppy needs a teeny woolly sweater!

In terms of knitting, I've been working on two sweaters intermittently, with small projects in between. I've seen so many awesome versions of the ubiquitous DROPS A-line cardigan that I really felt compelled. It seems like a sweater I would wear alot and I had some Beaverslide Dry Goods Organic Wool that seemed the perfect fit. I'm through the back and front panels, and onto the sleeves, so hopefully I'll have FO photos soon.

I just started a quickie project that is quickly becoming a more complex one as I've run out of yarn...

Irish Hiking Wristwarmers in Debbie Bliss Donegal Aran Tweed and Ivan at the window

Well, anyways, welcome! I hope that I'll stick with this thing and it will get me writing and reflecting more...

Erin