Seed Slouch Hat

Seed Slouch Hat by Vanessa Ewing

What Is Being Made

The Seed Slouch Hat is an adult-sized knitted hat designed to provide a relaxed, slouchy fit. This pattern offers two size options: Small with an approximate circumference of 21 inches and a Large with an approximate circumference of 23 inches. Both sizes feature an 18-inch brim measurement, making this hat suitable for a range of adult head sizes while maintaining consistent proportions.

Knitting Techniques Used

This intermediate-level knitting project employs several fundamental techniques to create its distinctive texture and structure. The pattern utilizes circular knitting on a 16-inch circular needle, allowing for seamless construction in the round. The design incorporates increases and decreases to shape the hat from the brim to the crown, with techniques including yarn overs for decorative shaping and strategic decreases to create the slouch silhouette. Stitch markers are used to track pattern repeats and construction sections throughout the project.

Stitches Used

The primary stitch pattern featured in this hat is seed stitch, a textured stitch that creates a bumpy, woven appearance by alternating knit and purl stitches. Seed stitch is worked over a multiple of 2 stitches, with the pattern repeating k1, p1 across each round. Additional stitch techniques employed include:

• Knit (k) and purl (p) stitches as foundational elements
• Yarn overs (yo) for decorative increases
• Decreases including slip, slip, knit (ssk) and standard decrease methods to shape the crown
• Knit front and back (kf&b) and purl front and back (pf&b) for targeted increases
• Make one purlwise (m1p) for invisible increases

Materials and Gauge

The Seed Slouch Hat requires 200 yards of yarn for the Small size or 210 yards for the Large size. The pattern was designed using Madelinetosh Pashmina Worsted, a worsted-weight yarn, though the pattern accommodates both DK and worsted weight yarns. Knitting needles required include US size 7 in a 16-inch circular needle and matching double-pointed needles for working the crown decreases. A stitch marker is essential for tracking pattern repeats in the round.

The gauge is critical for achieving proper fit: 20 stitches and 24 rows equal 4 inches in stockinette stitch on size 7 needles after blocking, while 20 stitches and 36 rows equal 4 inches in seed stitch on the same needles after blocking. The difference in row gauge between stockinette and seed stitch reflects the denser, more textured nature of the seed stitch pattern.

Pattern Details

This downloadable PDF pattern was designed by Vanessa Ewing and is copyrighted 2012. The pattern is classified as intermediate difficulty, making it suitable for knitters with foundational skills who are ready to work with circular needles and manage stitch pattern changes. The hat construction progresses from the brim upward, with the seed stitch texture providing visual interest and depth to the finished garment.