Knitted Zigzag Slouch Hat

Introducing the Zigzag Slouch Hat, a cozy and stylish accessory that will keep you warm and fashionable during the colder months. This unique hat is handcrafted using the art of knitting, creating a beautiful zigzag pattern that adds a touch of flair to any outfit. Made from soft and high-quality yarn, this slouch hat is not only comfortable to wear but also durable, ensuring that it will last for seasons to come. The zigzag pattern adds a playful and eye-catching element to the hat, making it a standout piece in your winter wardrobe. Whether you're heading out for a casual day out or a special occasion, this slouch hat will effortlessly elevate your look and keep you cozy at the same time. With its versatile design and comfortable fit, the Zigzag Slouch Hat is the perfect accessory to complete any outfit and make a fashion statement.

Sizes: Teen/Adult Small (Adult Large)

Yarn: Lana Grossa Cool Wool Melange (100% Virgin Wool; 175 yards [160 meters]/50 grams); #115 - one skein (two skeins) (color A) and Lana Grossa Cool Wool Degrade (100% Virgin Wool; 175 yards [160 meters]/50 grams); #6002 - one skein (one skein) (color B)

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 4, one set of double pointed needles (dpns) in size US 4 (optional: dpns in size US 5 for icord cast on or a 24" circular in size US 4 if you're making the larger size of the hat)

Notions: Tapestry needle, 36" of scrap yarn, stitch marker

Gauge: 24 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette on size US 4 needles
So let's make a hat! Using your color A yarn, and your size US 4 or 5 dpns, cast on 4 stitches loosely. Then we'll work an icord cast on, as follows:

Icord Row (always worked as a right-side row): kfb, k3; then, when you go to begin your next row, use your tapestry needle to thread the first of kfb stitches onto your piece of scrap yarn purlwise to hold for later
Knit this icord row until you're holding 127 (151) stitches on your scrap yarn. Kfb in your first stitch one final time, transfer the first stitch (of your kfb) to your scrap yarn, and then bind off your four icord stitches (which include the second stitch from your kfb). Then, transfer the 128 (152) held stitches from your scrap yarn and onto your circular needle (you can use a 24" if you're making the large size). Once you have all your stitches transferred, continue to use your color A yarn and work as follows. Note that you can pull the yarn tight behind your slipped stitches; this creates the icord look.

Row 1 (right side): knit
Row 2: slip 4 stitches purlwise with yarn in front (sl4-wyif), purl until you have 4 stitches left in row, sl4-wyif
Knit rows 1 & 2 until piece measures roughly 1.75" (2") and you've just finished a wrong side row. Then proceed as follows:
Transition Row 1 (right side): using color A, knit until you have 1 stitch left in row, kfb, place marker, and join in round (129 stitches (153 stitches))
From here on out, the hat will be worked in the round so all rows will be right-side rows.
Transition Row 2: using color A, knit until you have 1 stitch left in round, p1
Complete these two transition rows, and then we'll begin our main pattern.

It is important to remember that while you still want to pull your yarn tight when you slip your faux icord stitches, you will want to keep your slipped stitches LOOSE while working the rest of the pattern. So we'll continue as follows:
Row 1: using color B, slip 4 stitches purlwise with yarn in back (sl4-wyib), * sl1-wyib, k2; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, sl4-wyib, k1
Row 2: using color B, sl4-wyib, * sl1-wyib, k2; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, sl4-wyib, p1
Row 3: using color A, k4, * k1, sl1-wyib, (k2, sl1-wyib) three times, k3, (sl1-wyib, k2) three times, sl1-wyib; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, k5
Row 4: using color A, k4, * k1, sl1-wyib, (k2, sl1-wyib) three times, k3, (sl1-wyib, k2) three times, sl1-wyib; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, k4, p1
Row 5: using color B, sl4-wyib, * k2, (sl1-wyib, k2) three times, sl1-wyib, k1, sl1-wyib, (k2, sl1-wyib) three times k1; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, sl4-wyib, k1
Row 6: using color B, sl4-wyib, * k2, (sl1-wyib, k2) three times, sl1-wyib, k1, sl1-wyib, (k2, sl1-wyib) three times, k1; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, sl4-wyib, p1
Row 7: using color A, k4, * sl1-wyib, k2; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, k5
Row 8: using color A, k4, * sl1-wyib, k2; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, k4, p1
Row 9: using color B, sl4-wyib, * k1, sl1-wyib, (k2, sl1-wyib) three times, k3, (sl1-wyib, k2) three times, sl1-wyib; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, sl4-wyib, k1
Row 10: using color B, sl4-wyib, * k1, sl1-wyib, (k2, sl1-wyib) three times, k3, (sl1-wyib, k2) three times, sl1-wyib; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, sl4-wyib, p1
Row 11: using color A, k4, * k2, (sl1-wyib, k2) three times, sl1-wyib, k1, sl1-wyib, (k2, sl1-wyib) three times k1; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, k5

Row 12: using color A, k4 * k2, (sl1-wyib, k2) three times, sl1-wyib, k1, sl1-wyib, (k2, sl1-wyib) three times, k1; rep from * until you have 5 stitches left in round, k4, p1
Knit rows 1 - 12 until your piece measures roughly 8.5" (9.5") long (don't measure along the back faux icord, as that will be slightly shorter) and you've just finished row 12 of the pattern (you can also quit after you finish row 6; if you do so you should swap the numbering of the rows below, such that rows 1 & 2 become rows 3 & 4 and rows 3 & 4 become rows 1 & 2). Clip the tail of your color B yarn and then work as follows. Note that you are now only working with your color A yarn.
Row 1: sl4-wyib, knit until you have 5 stitches left in round, sl4-wyib, k1
Row 2: sl4-wyib, knit until you have 5 stitches left in round, sl4-wyib, p1
Row 3: knit
Row 4: knit until you have 1 stitch left in round, p1
Knit rows 1 - 4 once (twice) and then transfer your work to your dpns. Now we'll work the decrease, as follows. Notice that your decrease row 4 is different for the two different sizes.
Decrease Row 1: * k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left in row, end k1 (65 stitches (77 stitches))
Decrease Row 2: * k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left in row, end k1 (33 stitches (39 stitches))
Decrease Row 3: * k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left in row, end k1 (17 stitches (20 stitches))
Decrease Row 4 - size small: * k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left in row, end k1 (9 stitches)
Decrease Row 4 - size large: * k2tog * (10 stitches)
Complete decrease rows 1 - 4, clip yarn tail, and use tapestry needle to thread through final 9 (10) stitches. Thread tail to inside of hat, knot, and tuck in ends. Block, if desired.