Hi there I’m knitting a hat for my husband with straight needles. I have 120 stitches ( he has a large head!) and the pattern is a simple knit 2 purl 2. How do I neatly decrease the no. of stitches so that the rib effect is not lost towards the end of the hat?, thank you.
For conventional decreases every 8-10sts, you could start with the decreases in the purl 2. Eventually, you will lose the ribbed pattern.
What I really like is this kind of decrease. You’d have to adapt it to your stitch number of course.
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Thank you very much for the Two by Two pattern I shall certainly try this as it looks so neat.
If it were me, I’d not decrease at all. I’d do the 2 x 2 to the desired height plus an inch, cut the yarn leaving a 12" tail, thread the yarn into a tapestry needle and thread through each stitch on the needle until all are off the needle, draw the yarn up tight, make a knot and finish off.
Make sense? ((:
Hi there yes makes sense and certainly easier!! thank you
My favorite decrease is one my son in law lives. He says the hats fit him great. I’ve made him a bunch using a cotton blend yarn. This is with a 2 by 2 rib. Knit on straight needles or in the round until your work measures 5 1/2 inches. This is all rib from the bottom to top. Knit 2 together, purl 2 together all around. Continue in a knit one, purl 1 rib for two rows. Knit 2 together all around the next row. Knit 2 together following row. Gather up remaining stitches and fasten off. You’re done. I tried the knit 8, k2tog type hat decreases, but I always mess up even when I place markers. This is much easier for me. The decreases all total come to 3/4 to 1 inch. Hat height should be 6 1/4-6 1/2 inches.
This is for a basic beanie. If you want a cuff that folds over, add 2-3 inches before you start the decreases, your choice. Height 8 or 9 1/4 to 8 or 9 1/2 after decreases.
Being the Knitting Police, I thought the hat was too tall. But my son in law says it fits him well and he likes it. I made myself a wool hat but it gets too warm and itchy in the car. The one I made for the SIL I believe us Lion Brand Cotton Ease. Delightful to work with! He says it keeps his bald head warm but allows it to breathe so he doesn’t get sweaty.