Originally featured in Knit Now 36, designer Jacqui Harding has re-knit this 'Cool for Cats' hat in a beautiful hand-spun pink yarn to make a wonderful Pussyhat! Use the free pattern below in your preferred pink DK yarn for your own version of this popular, and soon to be iconic, hat.

Note
Jacqui used thicker wool in the picture hat than the pattern; it's more of an Aran weight than DK, so she cast on for the smaller size with 5.5 mm needles and knit to the longer length.

Originally knit in
Blacker Swan DK www.blackeryarns.co.uk
Any pink DK yarn will be suitable, but make sure to check your tension, and try to use natural fibres so you can block your finished work.

Tension
18 sts x 25 rows = 10cm measured over pattern

Needles used
5 mm straight

Other supplies
tapestry needle

Sizing
To fit head circumference 53 (58) cm

This hat is as simple as it comes in terms of shaping, you just knit a long rectangle and seam it at the sides! Remember to swatch first to make sure your hat turns out the right size. Our designer Jacqui tells us that she's quite a tight knitter, so you may have to go down a needle size.

Start knitting...


Cast on 46 (54) sts.
Rib Row 1: K1,*k2, p2; rep from* to last st, p1.
Rib Row 2: K1, *k2, p2; rep from * to last st, p1.
Rep the last 2 rows until work measures 2.5cm.
Purl 1 row.

Work Cool Cat pattern as follows:
Row 1 (RS): K2, *yo, k2, pass yo over 2 sts just worked, k2; rep from * to end.
Row 2 (WS): Purl.
Row 3: K4, *yo, k2, pass yo over 2 sts just worked, k2; rep from *to last 2 sts, k2.
Row 4: Purl.
Rep these 4 rows until the work measures 32 (35.5) cm, ending with a RS row.
Purl 1 row.
Work Rib rows 1-2 again, until rib measures 2.5 cm.

Cast off loosely, leaving a long end for sewing up.

Finishing up

Fold the hat in half lengthwise and stitch the side seams together (we used mattress stitch). Sew in all ends. Soak and block flat to size.

IMG 6058

To find out more about the Pussyhat project, visit www.pussyhatproject.com