The Celestial Slouch Hat: A Free Knitting Pattern for a Textured, Starry-Night Beanie

Introduction: Knit Your Own Starry Night

Wrap yourself in the magic of a winter night with this deeply textured slouch hat, featuring a unique star-stitch motif that catches the light. The Celestial Slouch Hat is a cozy, modern accessory that's as comfortable as it is captivating. This free pattern guides you through creating a textured, starry-night beanie that will become a favorite in your handmade wardrobe. Whether you're a seasoned knitter or a confident beginner, this project offers a rewarding experience with a stunning result.

Materials Needed

Before you begin, gather the following materials. The pattern uses two colors of worsted weight yarn to create the starry effect.

Yarn

• Worsted weight yarn (Category 4). Shown in Malabrigo Rios in 'Azul Profundo' (deep blue) and 'Natural' (cream).
• Approximately 200 yards of main color (MC) – the deep blue for the background.
• Approximately 50 yards of contrast color (CC) – the cream for the star motifs.

Needles

• US Size 7 (4.5 mm) 16-inch circular needle and double-pointed needles (DPNs) for the crown.
• US Size 8 (5.0 mm) 16-inch circular needle and DPNs.

Other Supplies

• Stitch marker
• Yarn needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles, after blocking. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for the hat to fit properly.

Step-by-Step Instructions

This pattern is written for two sizes: Adult S/M and M/L. Instructions for the larger size are in parentheses. The finished circumference is 20 (22) inches unstretched, and the length is 11 (12) inches.

Abbreviations

• CO: cast on
• k: knit
• p: purl
• st(s): stitch(es)
• k2tog: knit two together
• p2tog: purl two together
• yo: yarn over
• sl1: slip one stitch purlwise
• psso: pass slipped stitch over
• MC: main color
• CC: contrast color

Ribbing (worked in the round on smaller needles)

1. With MC and the smaller circular needle (US Size 7), CO 90 (100) sts.
2. Place a marker and join in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.
3. Round 1: *k1, p1; repeat from * around.
4. Repeat Round 1 until the ribbing measures 2 inches from the cast-on edge.

Body (worked in the round on larger needles)

1. Switch to the larger circular needle (US Size 8).
2. Setup Round: Knit all sts, increasing 6 (8) sts evenly spaced around. You should now have 96 (108) sts.

Star Stitch Pattern (worked over a multiple of 6 sts)

This pattern creates the textured star motifs. Repeat Rounds 1-8 for the body of the hat.

• Round 1 (MC): Knit all sts.
• Round 2 (MC): Purl all sts.
• Round 3 (CC): *Insert right needle into the 3rd st on left needle (skipping 2 sts), yo, and pull up a long loop. Keep this loop on the right needle. Then, k1, p1, k1 into the next 3 sts (the 2 skipped sts and the next). Pass the long loop over these 3 sts. Repeat from * around.
• Round 4 (CC): Knit all sts.
• Round 5 (MC): Knit all sts.
• Round 6 (MC): Purl all sts.
• Round 7 (CC): *K1, p1, k1 into the next 3 sts. Then, insert right needle into the 3rd st after these (skipping 2 sts), yo, and pull up a long loop. Pass this loop over the 3 sts just worked. Repeat from * around.
• Round 8 (CC): Knit all sts.

Work the pattern until the hat measures approximately 8 (9) inches from the cast-on edge, ending after a Round 4 or Round 8 (a CC knit round).

Crown Decreases (switch to DPNs when needed)

Continue in MC only. When the stitches become too tight for the circular needle, switch to double-pointed needles.

• Round 1: *k10 (12), k2tog; repeat from * around. (88, 100 sts)
• Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit all sts.
• Round 3: *k9 (11), k2tog; repeat from * around. (80, 92 sts)
• Round 5: *k8 (10), k2tog; repeat from * around. (72, 84 sts)
• Round 7: *k7 (9), k2tog; repeat from * around. (64, 76 sts)
• Round 9: *k6 (8), k2tog; repeat from * around. (56, 68 sts)
• Round 11: *k5 (7), k2tog; repeat from * around. (48, 60 sts)
• Round 13: *k4 (6), k2tog; repeat from * around. (40, 52 sts)
• Round 15: *k3 (5), k2tog; repeat from * around. (32, 44 sts)
• Round 17: *k2 (4), k2tog; repeat from * around. (24, 36 sts)
• Round 19: *k1 (3), k2tog; repeat from * around. (16, 28 sts)
• Round 21: *k0 (2), k2tog; repeat from * around. (8, 14 sts)

For size M/L only: Work one more decrease round: *k2tog; repeat from * around. (7 sts)

Finishing

1. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail.
2. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches using a yarn needle.
3. Pull tight to close the top of the hat and secure the yarn.
4. Weave in all ends on the inside of the hat.
5. Block gently to open up the star stitch pattern and even out the stitches. Lay flat to dry.

Enjoy your beautiful, hand-knitted Celestial Slouch Hat! The textured star stitch will catch the light and remind you of a starry winter night.