Stars slouch

Stars Slouch by Kelly Spenhoff

What Is Being Made

The Stars Slouch is an adult-sized knitted hat designed by Kelly Spenhoff. This downloadable PDF pattern creates a slouchy hat with finished measurements of 8.5 inches (22 cm) wide and 10 inches (25.5 cm) tall when measured flat. The design features a repeating star motif worked in the round, making it an ideal project for knitters looking to add texture and visual interest to a classic slouch silhouette.

Knitting Techniques Used

This pattern employs fundamental knitting techniques suitable for beginner-level knitters. The hat begins with a cast-on of 135 stitches and uses in-the-round knitting construction, which creates a seamless fabric. The pattern incorporates ribbed edging at the brim to provide elasticity and a finished appearance. Decreasing techniques are integrated into the design to shape the crown of the hat as it progresses.

Stitches Used

The Stars Slouch pattern requires knowledge of four essential knitting stitches:

• Knit (k) – the fundamental stitch that forms the base fabric
• Purl (p) – used in combination with knit stitches to create the ribbed cuff and textured star patterns
• Knit 2 Together (k2tog) – a right-leaning decrease used for shaping
• Slip, Slip, Knit (ssk) – a left-leaning decrease that provides balanced shaping

The ribbing section uses a k2, p1 ribbing pattern, which creates vertical columns of texture. The main body of the hat features a star chart that is worked 9 times around each round, creating an all-over star motif across the hat.

Materials and Tools

This pattern calls for sport weight yarn, requiring approximately 200 yards (183 meters) to complete the project. The recommended needles are US3 double-pointed needles and a 16-inch (40 cm) circular needle, though needle size may be adjusted as needed to obtain the correct gauge. Additional notions include 5 stitch markers to track pattern repeats and a yarn needle for weaving in ends. The gauge is 15 stitches over 2.25 inches (5.7 cm) in the pattern stitch, measured over one complete star motif.

Skill Level

The Stars Slouch is rated as a beginner difficulty pattern. While it requires foundational knitting skills including knit and purl stitches plus basic decreases, the straightforward construction and clear stitch requirements make it an accessible project for those new to hat knitting or in-the-round techniques.