Shaker Knit (English Rib) Hat

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This is a nice, easy hat pattern that I designed for charity knitting. It uses fingering weight to very thin yarns only. It’s a great way to use up some of those thin, 2 ply yarns that seem to accumulate in our yarn stash.

I mixed and matched different weights and colors together, sometimes with disastrous results and other times surprisingly wonderful. To break up the boredom and add a little interest, I’ve knit 12 rows of racking between the 1x1 ribbing and the English Rib. It's always good practice to try new techniques but the hat can be knit without the decorative racking if you prefer.

Yarn:       2 strands of 2/24, 2 ply or 3 ply weights (I've used Tamm Star, 2 strands of Forsell 2 ply Superwash wool, Mary Lue’s Harmony, Academy, Bramwell DuoMagic and other odd bits of Mill End yarns) You might want to check the My Pollywogs web site as Diane carries some wonderful yarns. 

Size:             Adult, Medium and Small Child

Machine:       I used my Brother 970 electronic, but this pattern can be knit on any standard gauge knitting machine with a ribber that has the ability to tuck

Shaker Knit is the same as English Rib. Please refer to your ribber manual for specific instructions. All sizes are the same number of rows, only the number of stitches changes.

Hat Lining:

1. Cast-on 121 (101, 81) stitches with the extra needle on the right (needles 60L-61R, 50L-51R, 40L,41R)

• Knit zig-zag row at Tension 0/0

• Hang comb and weights

• Knit three selvedge rows (opposite Part buttons on main carriage and ribber)

2. RC 000. Release all Part buttons. Knit regular 1x1 ribbing as follows:

• Tension 2/2, Knit 6 rows

• Tension 4/4, Knit 10 rows

3. Set carriages for English Rib as follows:

• Main Carriage:     Set to Normal Knitting (no buttons pushed in)

• Ribber Carriage:   Tuck Lever to "P" Right Cam Lever to "PR"

4. Tension 6/6, Knit 12 rows of Racked English Rib as follows:

• Set the Half Pitch Lever to "H"

• Slide Racking Lever to #4, Knit 2 rows

• Slide Racking Lever to # 6, Knit 2 rows

Repeat this sequence of 4 rows for 2 more sets – a total of 12 rows racked

5. Return to English Rib set up, leaving Tuck and Right Cam Lever up on ribber

• Set the Half Pitch Lever to "P"

• Slide the Racking lever back to #5

• Row Counter should now read RC 28

6. Knit 240 rows in English Rib (Row Counter should now read RC 268)

7. Knit 12 rows of Racked English Rib (RC 280)

8. Tension 4/4, Knit 10 rows 1x1 Rib (RC 290)

9. Tension 2/2, Knit 6 rows 1x1 Rib (RC 296)

Transfer ribber stitches to Main Bed

Hang hem

Knit 2 rows (RC 298)

10.     Transfer every-other-stitch, push empty needles out-of-work

Knit 2 rows (RC 300)

Bind off stitches by removing stitches onto a length of yarn. I use two strands of yarn and a double eye needle.

Seam hat using the Mattress Stitch for an invisible seam or slip stitch crochet the seam together. The seam will show if you decide to crochet the hat closed but it will be easier on your arm and shoulder.

Gather top of hat pulling ends of yarn together from bind off.

Tip: If you are using up dibs and dabs of old yarn, you may knit the hat lining using another color. This tip offered to you by Louise Anderson, one of my Cozy Corner Knitters.

Copyright 11/1/2003 by Cindy Landes, Cozy Corner Knits

Personal use of this pattern accepted; use of this pattern for Charity Knitting encouraged