Simple Braids Hat

Note: This pattern has been reviewed and updated on the 8th of November, 2020 to include a picture tutorial to clarify the instructions.

Greetings my fellow Knitters! this is the third project in my February head wear series, and it incorporates the simple braid pattern. I made it available in three different sizes (see measurements below), and experienced knitting it in multiple colors to show how the pattern would look. So, I hope you will find a combination that will suit you. 

Skill level: Intermediate

GET printable PDF for this pattern here.

Materials:

• Yarn:
  • Size S: Alize Lanagold Classic, 51% acrylic, 49% wool, 3.53 oz (100 g), 262 yards (240 m), in the color "Flame Red" 903: 1 skein. 
  • Size M: Nako Vizon, 100% premium acrylic, 3.53 oz (100 g), 213 yards (195 m), in the color "Mallard Green" 181: 1 skein. 
  • Size L: Nako Vizon, 100% premium acrylic, 3.53 oz (100 g), 213 yards (195 m), in the color "White" 208: 1 skein.
• Circular knitting needles, 16" (40 cm) long, size US 8 (5 mm).
• Tapestry needle.
• Ring stitch marker.

Sizes and head circumference measurements:

• Size S: 21.5” - 22” (54 - 56 cm).
• Size M: 22.5” - 23” (57 - 58.5 cm).
• Size L: 23.25” - 24” (59 - 61 cm).

Gauge: 19 sts and 32 rounds = 4"x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) in k 1 p 1 ribs pattern.

Yardage:

• Size S: 100 - 110 yards (90 - 100 m).
• Size M: 110 - 120 yards (100 -110 m).
• Size L: 125 - 135 yards (115 - 125 m).

Knitting Terms:

• st: stitch.
• sts: stitches.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• sl st: slip stitch.
• k2tog: knit 2 stitches together.
• p2tog: purl 2 stitches together.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit the 2 sts together through back loops.

Instructions:

Cast on 75 (80, 85) sts, join in the round. Don't know how to join in the round? here is a short tutorial on how to do it (from 0:26 - 1:15 min): 

 

Put the ring stitch marker at the beginning of rounds.

Round: *k 3, p 2, repeat from * to end.

Repeat the round 8 times. 

Work the main pattern:

Round 1: *k 2, sl st, p 2, repeat from * to last end.

Rounds 2 and 3: repeat round 1.

 

Round 4: *k the sl st without dropping it, k 2, slide the sl st off the needle, p 2, repeat from * to end.

Round 5: *k 3, p 2, repeat from * to end.

Repeat rounds (1- 5) six (six, seven) times.

Decreasing rounds:

Round 1: *k 2, sl st, p2tog, repeat from * to end. 60 (64, 68) sts

Rounds 2 and 3: *k 2, sl st, p 1, repeat from * to end.

Round 4: *k the sl st without dropping it, k 2, slide the knitted sl st off the needle, p 1, repeat from * to end.

Round 5: *k 1, k2tog, p 1, repeat from * to end. 45 (48, 51) sts

Rounds 6 and 7: *k 2, p 1, repeat from * to end.

Round 8: *k2tog, p 1, repeat from * to end. 30 (32, 34) sts

Rounds 9 and 10: *k 1, p 1, repeat from * to end.

Round 11: k2tog, repeat to end. 15 (16, 17) sts

Cut a 6" (15 cm) long yarn tail, pull it through all sts and tighten tog. Weave in loose ends.

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram @wiams_crafts and Twitter @wiamscrafts to see my upcoming projects.