I’m trying a pattern left by my grandma and I’m having issues. This is the first hat I’ve done that isn’t knitted in the round. I’ve done the ribbing and the 5.5 inches of garter stitch, and am to where it needs to be shaped to fit the head. Row 1 and Row 2 aren’t working out. The left side looked great (sorry I ripped it out before taking a picture), but the right side wasn’t right. When I flipped it over to the wrong side, that left side looked great and the right side looked bad. Since it’s not knit in the round, the right-side/wrong-side thing really has me confused. It doesn’t specify how to slip- knit wise or purl wise-I’m not even sure if that is the issue. I’m not sure I’m articulating this well enough. I hope somebody will have some ideas. Thanks!
1940’s hat pattern
Welcome to KH! Generally speaking stitches not used in a decrease are slipped purlwise unless otherwise noted but vintage patterns may not adhere to that. I noticed stitches slipped as part of a decrease; are there others? Slipping knitwise will reorient the stitch on the needle so that the leading leg is in the back and so stitches used in left leaning decreases are slipped knitwise. For the decrease definitely slip the stitch knitwise. Personally I’d probably use an ssk but more out of habit than for any other reason. The two decreases produce the same result, a left leaning decrease. Putting some sort of marker on the RS of the work can be very helpful.
That’s such a warm and cozy looking vintage hat.
It’ll help to put a marker or loop of yarn on the right side to distinguish it from the wrong side.
The general rule is to slip knitwise if the stitch is part of a decrease like the slip 1, k1, psso. Otherwise, slip purlwise.
For myself, I think the ssk is a neater decrease than the slip, k, psso. Even just knitting into the back of the next two sts will work.
I’ve knit a similar hat for a child but in stockinette.
https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/helmet-156
Thank you for responding! The particular booklet only has patterns, so no definitions or glossary of terms. I will definitely mark the right side. I will try ssk next. I’ve been trying different things trying to get right and left to look more alike. I think I’ll stick with knitting in the round after this one