Simple Lacy Slouch in Cascade Yarns - C249 - Downloadable PDF

Simple Lacy Slouch Hat – Knitting Pattern by Shannon Dunbabin

The Simple Lacy Slouch is a free, downloadable PDF knitting pattern designed by Shannon Dunbabin and published by Cascade Yarns. As the name suggests, this pattern produces a relaxed, slouchy hat with a delicate lace texture that works up quickly thanks to the chunky weight yarn. It is rated intermediate in difficulty, making it an ideal project for knitters who are comfortable with basic lace techniques and working in the round but are looking for a satisfying, relatively fast knit.

What Is Being Made

This pattern creates a single slouchy lace hat knitted entirely in the round. The finished piece features a neat ribbed brim that transitions into an airy, repeating lace body, giving the hat its characteristic soft drape and relaxed fit. The sample shown in the pattern is worked in colorway 105 (Gems), which showcases the multicolored nature of the recommended yarn beautifully against the open lace structure.

Materials Required

• Yarn: 1 skein of Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash Multis – 100% Superwash Merino Wool, approximately 128 yards per 100 g skein. The yarn shown is in colorway 105 (Gems).
• Needles: Size US 9 (5.5 mm) 16-inch circular needle for the ribbed brim; Size US 10.5 (6.5 mm) 16-inch circular needle for the lace body; Size US 10.5 (6.5 mm) double point needles for finishing the crown decreases.
• Notions: Stitch marker and yarn needle.

About the Yarn

Cascade Yarns 128 Superwash Multis is a chunky-weight, 100% Superwash Merino Wool yarn. Superwash Merino is prized for its exceptional softness against the skin, its natural elasticity, and its easy-care properties — the superwash treatment means the finished hat can be machine washed without felting. The multicolored dye variations in the Multis line add visual interest to even simple stitch patterns, making the lace design pop with color depth without requiring complex colorwork techniques.

Construction Method

The hat is constructed entirely in the round from the brim upward, a classic top-down-free construction method well suited to hats. The pattern begins by casting on 72 stitches using the smaller US 9 circular needle, then joining to work in the round with care taken not to twist the stitches. A stitch marker is placed at the beginning of the round to track the start of each row.

• The brim is worked in 2x2 ribbing (K2P2) for 6 rounds, creating a stretchy, tidy edge that hugs the head comfortably.
• After the ribbing, an increase round adds 8 stitches evenly using the KFB (knit into the front and back) increase, expanding the stitch count to accommodate the wider, slouchy body of the hat.
• The needles are then changed to the larger US 10.5 circular needles, and the lace pattern begins.
• As the crown is approached, double point needles in the same US 10.5 size are introduced to manage the decreasing stitch count comfortably.

Stitches and Techniques Used

Ribbing

The brim uses 2x2 ribbing, alternating two knit stitches with two purl stitches across each round. This classic technique creates a flexible, form-fitting band that keeps the hat securely on the head while providing a polished, structured look at the edge.

Lace Pattern

The body of the hat features a simple but effective four-row lace repeat that creates an open, airy fabric. Lace knitting uses deliberate yarn overs (YO) to create decorative holes, which are paired with decrease stitches to maintain the overall stitch count