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Hands Occupied

Colorful knitting, crochet, latch hook and macrame from craft book author & designer Heidi Gustad.

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Winter Sea Stocking Cap

November 24, 2014 6 Comments

Winter Sea Stocking Cap - Get the free knitting pattern for this adorable hat at HandsOccupied.com!

With winter settling in for the season, it feels like about the time to knit up a quick little hat to tide me over through the end of the year. This hat is warm, but won’t make your head sweat on milder early winter days. I’ve also been wanting to play around with knitting hats better sized to my my rather small head (don’t worry, I designed this hat in a standard women’s size as well), and the gauge of this yarn and the motif used throughout the hat patterned perfectly to the two sizes.

Speaking of the motif used, I’ve seen it most often called a daisy motif, but I think it looks like sea shells or fans. The sea shell effect coupled with the nice, icy light blue yarn were why I gave this hat its name, the Winter Sea Stocking Cap. Plus, I feel like it’s just warm enough (again, without making you too hot) for a winter beach walk.

Winter Sea Stocking Cap - Get the free knitting pattern for this adorable hat at HandsOccupied.com!

A note on the daisy motif

The instructions for how to work the daisy motif are described in the patten below. However, this stitch isn’t crazy common, so I shot left and right-handed videos for how to work the stitch that I’ll be posting later this week. I came across the stitch in the 1979 edition of the Reader’s Digest Complete Guide to Needlework, in case you’ve got that lying around for reference. :)

The Pattern

Yarn: Lion Brand Jiffy in Sky
Gauge: 4 rows/inch, 3 stitches/inch on size 10 needles

Supplies
1 skein Lion Brand Jiffy
size 10 needles
stitch marker
scissors
2.5 inch pom pom maker (or the supplies to DIY one)
tapestry needle
crochet hook (optional)

Abbreviations
sts – stitches
CO – cast on
k – knit
p – purl
k2tog – k 2 sts together
rnd – round
[ ] – repeat from [ to ] around until listed sts remain
( ) – indicates set of sts to be repeated, not unlike [ ]

(x/y sts) – parenthesis in bold with sts listed indicate the number of sts that should now be in each rnd. Sts listed in the x position indicate the number of sts for the smaller size, y indicates number of sts in larger size

make daisy – Insert needle in loop 3 rows below second st on left* needle, draw up loop, k2, draw up loop through the same st, k2, draw up loop through the same st
*If you are left handed, you’ll be knitting through the loop three rows below the second st on the right needle. 

folded hem – If you’re new to folded hems, here’s a great tutorial for the technique I used in this pattern.

Winter Sea Stocking Cap - Get the free knitting pattern for this adorable hat at HandsOccupied.com!

Sizing
See this chart for common hat knitting sizes.
60 sts = approx. 19.333 inch head circumference / teen hat or women’s XS hat
70 sts = approx. 22.666 inch / standard adult woman size

CO a multiple of 10 sts & join into a round, marking the beginning of the round with a stitch marker

rnd 1-6. k
7. p
8-13. k
14. k, forming a folded hem

15. k
16. k3, make daisy, [k6, make daisy], k3
17. k3, [(k2tog, k1) twice, k2tog, k5], (k2tog, k1) twice, k2tog, k2
18-23. k
24. k7, [k1, make daisy, k5], k1, make daisy**, k1
**You’ll make this daisy over the end of rnd 24 and the beginning of rnd 25. Just move your stitch marker as you work.
25. You’ll already be 3 sts into this rnd. [(k5, k2tog, k1) twice, k2tog] around
26
-31. k
32.
 k3, make daisy, [k2, k2tog, k2, make daisy], k2, k2tog using last st of rnd 32 & first st of rnd 33 (There are now 54/64 sts per rnd.)
33. place stitch marker, k2, [(k2tog, k1) twice, k2tog, k4], k2
34. k8, k2tog, [k7, k2tog], k2tog with last st of rnd 34 & first st of rnd 35 (48/58 sts)
35. place stitch marker, k around
36. k7, k2tog, [k6, k2tog], k2tog with last st of rnd 36 & first st of rnd 37 (42/52 sts)
37. place stitch marker, k around
38. k6, k2tog, [k5, k2tog], k2tog with last st of rnd 38 & first st of rnd 39 (36/46 sts)
39. place stitch marker, k around
40. k5, k2tog, [k4, k2tog], k2tog with last st of rnd 40 & first st of rnd 41 (30/40 sts)
41. place stitch marker, k around
42. k4, k2tog, [k3, k2tog], k2tog with last st of rnd 42 & first st of rnd 43 (24/34 sts)
43. place stitch marker, k around
44. k3, k2tog, [k2, k2tog], k2tog with last st of rnd 44 & first st of rnd 45 (18/28 sts)
45. place stitch marker, k around
46. k2, k2tog, [k1, k2tog], k2tog with last st of rnd 46 & first st of rnd 47 (12/22 sts)
47. place stitch marker, k around
48. k1, k2tog, [k2tog], k2tog with last st of rnd 48 & first st of rnd 49 (6/16 sts) 

The smaller size is done. If you’re knitting the smaller size, break yarn, draw tail through remaining loops & weave in ends. If you’re knitting the larger size, continue.

49. place stitch marker, k around
50. k2tog until 6 sts remain (6 sts)

Break yarn, draw tail through remaining loops & weave in ends. Make a 2.5 inch diameter pom pom and attach it to the tip of the hat, sewing to secure.

Winter Sea Stocking Cap - Get the free knitting pattern for this adorable hat at HandsOccupied.com!

This hat knits up really easily in a sitting or two, which means you’ll have enough time to knit a couple of these for holiday gifts if you’re still looking for some cute & quick patterns!

Winter Sea Stocking Cap - Get the free knitting pattern for this adorable hat at HandsOccupied.com!

 

Filed Under: Free Patterns, Knitting, Knitting & Crochet Tagged With: daisy motif, free knitting pattern, knitting pattern, pom pom, stocking cap, winter hat, winter sea stocking cap

About Heidi

Heidi Gustad (she/her) is a craft book author & designer specializing in yarn crafts. Her work combines vintage and modern design elements, prioritizing color and graphic motifs. Her first book, Latch Hook: 12 Projects for the Modern Maker, is out now.

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Comments

  1. Adriana Bon

    November 24, 2014 at 11:01 am

    Adorableeeee!!! love the hat and your hair! super cute pictures

    Reply
  2. Denise

    November 24, 2014 at 2:54 pm

    Love it! Your so talented. I am making one of your baby blankets for my new upcoming grandchild! Thanks.

    Reply
  3. Nancy

    December 2, 2014 at 5:37 am

    Love the hat but at the end of row 25, I have 74 stitches. I’ve done it twice but end up the same. Is this right?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      December 2, 2014 at 2:21 pm

      Hi Nancy! Glad to have you here. :) How many stitches did you cast on initially? -Heidi

      Reply
  4. Gretchen

    December 2, 2014 at 4:35 pm

    I just bought the yarn to make 3 hats!

    casting on soon. which cast on method did you use?

    Reply
    • Heidi

      December 2, 2014 at 5:42 pm

      I’m glad you asked! I used the old Norwegian sock cast on. It’s really similar to the long tail but it has a twist for added stretch. :)

      Reply

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Heidi Gustad from Hands Occupied / Craft Book Author and Knitting, Crochet, Latch Hook and Macrame Designer

Hi! I’m Heidi (she/her/hers), and I’ve been helping yarn crafters untangle various techniques on the internet since 2010. I got my start here, as a blogger, and since then I’ve shared more than a few tutorials here and on YouTube as I’ve grown as a pattern designer. 🧶 

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Heidi Gustad 🧶 knitting & yarn crafts

handsoccupied

Knitting & yarn crafts designer 🧶
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Stay up-to-date 💌 & shop new patterns ⤵️

POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern POV: Showing you how my new Bevelled Tank pattern fits with no ease vs. 4” of positive ease. There’s a bit more length to the cotton (brighter color) sample, but both are cropped and feature shoulder seams designed to sit an inch back onto the shoulder instead of on top, giving it a little swing. Length is easily adjustable for folks looking for less of a crop. 
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Pattern: Bevelled Tank by @handsoccupied for @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn summer 2024. Available for free from Hobbii at the 🔗 in my profile.
Yarn pictured: @kelbournewoolens Skipper and Camper. 
Dress form is adjusted to a 36” chest and ~5’3”ish in height. 
Human has a 40” chest and is 5’5”.
Both skirts are vintage.
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #handsoccupied #intarsia #handmade #knitting #colorwork
Let’s talk about fit and ease! . During the Beve Let’s talk about fit and ease!
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During the Bevelled Tank design process for @pompommag, I knit 2 samples using 2 different @KelbourneWoolens yarns. One was in Skipper (100% cotton, second photo) and the other was in Camper (100% 2 ply wool). The Skipper sample was knit for a 36” bust, which measures in at 40” with 4” of positive ease. And I knit the Camper Sample for my 40” bust with a 44” finished measurement. (BTW, I’m 5’5” for folks that find that measurement helpful in visualizing fit.)
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Based on the size chart for the Bevelled Tank, that means I knit one size 3 sample and one size 4. As designed, I conveniently fit a size 4 as intended with 4” of positive ease. When I wear the 3, there is no ease at all because the garment and my body are both 40” in size. Comparing the 2 garments, you can see how the fiber content (cotton vs. wool) and fit (no ease vs. 4” of positive ease) makes a difference in the look and feel of the finished garment. 
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These samples are a great way to compare what ease looks like on different bodies. While I can fit both a size 3 and 4, the garment with no ease feels more like pajamas or a bralette when I wear it. On the other hand, when I wear the one with 4” of positive ease, I feel comfortable enough to wear it to work, even as a crop top. Plus, it leaves me with enough room to layer it with a nice button down if I’m not feeling the cropped look one day. 
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I’m curious - how would you style this tank? Would you modify it with a few stockinette rows for added length? I’m so curious now that this pattern is finally out in the world. :) 
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #bevelledtank #handsoccupied #knitting #intarisa #handmade #kelbournewoolens #croppedsweater #summerknits
After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m ba After a 6 month hiatus, I am happy to say I’m back with a brand new pattern in 9 sizes, and it’s FREE as part of @pompommag x @hobbii_yarn’s summer design collection! (Link is in my bio.)
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In my December newsletter, I announced that I was soliciting test knitters for a pattern that had originally been selected for the summer ’24 issue of Pom Pom Quarterly magazine. However, the magazine ceased publication after its spring ’24 issue, leaving in-progress designs unpublished. (It happens.) As a result, I’d begun the long process of editing, testing, and photographing the pattern for independent release through the Hands Occupied pattern shop and Ravelry.
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Before I was done with that process, Pom Pom Quarterly’s former editors reached out with an exciting proposal for the pattern. Post-magazine, they’ve begun to partner with yarn companies to produce high quality pattern collections. They wanted to include designs from the would-be current issue of Pom Pom Quarterly in a new collection for Hobbii yarn, including my Bevelled Tank. I worked with the same technical editors I would have for the magazine on this one, and as you can see from the photos, Pom Pom’s team did an amazing job of styling the garment to the beautiful standards they’re known for.
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You can learn more about the pattern on my blog and get the free pattern from Hobbii yarn - links to both in my profile. I’ll post sizing info in the comments for quick reference too. 🧶
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#pompomxhobbiisummer2024 #knitting #intarsia #sponsored #colorworkknitting 
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Photos: @dianascarrunz 
Model: @angel.jade_
Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vi Here’s a nice throwback for you: my take on a vintage knitting pattern from 1938 called the Fernlace Pullover. A pattern so nice, I knit it twice.
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Yellow version 💛: knit with Despondent Dyes’ Vintage Vixen Sport after attending a @squidneyknits vintage knitting retreat in 2019 & learning *so much*. Paired with a self-drafted circle skirt pattern. 
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Blue version 💙: knit with @eweeweyarns Ewe So Sporty in Sky Blue. Paired with the 1940s Boardwalk Duet sewing pattern from @decades_of_style 
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Head to my stories for 🔗🔗 to the handmade wardrobe blog posts I wrote about each take on the Fernlace Pullover, working with a vintage pattern, where to find vintage patterns (including the one I used), & some thoughts on sizing. 
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Image descriptions available in alt text. 
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#handsoccupied #handmadewardrobe #fernlacepullover #vintageknitting #vintageknittingpatterns #knitting_inspiration
Frogging is a word in the knitting world that mean Frogging is a word in the knitting world that means to rip out your knitting. It’s called frogging because frogs say “ribbit,” and when you’re tearing out your knitting, you will “rip it” out, and that sounds like ribbit. No really. 🐸 Did you know this fun fact? 
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P.S. I did like this design concept, but to make the pattern more knitter friendly as well as more wearable, I am making some tweaks to the construction. Excited to share when it’s ready! 🥰🧶
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Yarn: @blueskyfibers Woolstok North in Morning Frost & Highland Fleece 
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#handsoccupied #knitting #frogging #blueskyfibers #knittersofinstagram #blueskymakers #knittingvocabulary #bsfmakers #knitdesign
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