Blue Sky Fibers Skyline Slouch Hat Knitting Pattern

Blue Sky Fibers Skyline Slouch Hat

What Is Being Made

The Skyline Slouch is a slouchy knit hat from the Traveler Series, designed by Nancy Ekvall. This advanced beginner-level project creates a relaxed, oversized silhouette perfect for casual wear. The finished hat measures 19 inches in circumference and 10½ inches in height, with a single size that fits most head sizes comfortably.

Construction Method

This hat is knit seamlessly from the bottom up and worked entirely in the round, eliminating the need for seaming. The construction begins with a cast-on at the brim and progresses upward to the crown, where decreases are worked to shape the top. The seamless construction creates a smooth, polished finish throughout the garment.

Stitch Techniques

The Skyline Slouch features a ribbed cuff worked in a 2x2 rib pattern (knit 2, purl 2) that provides stretch and helps the hat stay securely on the head. Above the cuff, the body transitions to stockinette stitch, which creates a smooth, flat fabric ideal for showcasing the colorwork. The crown is shaped using knit two together decreases worked in a strategic pattern that gradually reduces stitches from 100 down to a small number at the top.

Colorwork and Stripes

The hat's most distinctive feature is its horizontal striped colorwork, which uses four different colors of yarn to create visual interest. The stripes are worked in the following sequence: Color A (Crushed Coral) forms a 4-inch band at the base, followed by Color B (Silver Bell) for 3 inches, and Color C (Midnight Oil) for 2 inches. Color D (Gold Rush) is optional and reserved for creating a decorative pom-pom topper. This color progression creates a gradient effect that descends from the brim toward the crown.

Materials and Yarn

The Skyline Slouch is worked in Blue Sky Fibers Eco-Cashmere, a luxurious blend of 50% recycled cashmere and 50% virgin cashmere. Each color requires one 50-gram hank, which contains 164 yards of yarn. The pattern is designed so that four hanks provide enough yardage to knit two complete hats, making it economical for creating matching pairs or gifts.

Needles and Tools

The pattern calls for Size 7 (4.5mm) circular needles in a 16-inch length for the main body of the hat. As the crown shaping progresses and stitches become too few to fit comfortably on the circular needle, knitters transition to Size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles to complete the decreases. Additional tools include a stitch marker to denote the beginning of each round, a tapestry needle for weaving in ends, and a 9.0-centimeter pom-pom maker for creating the optional decorative topper.

Gauge and Fit

The pattern is worked to a gauge of 21 stitches and 30 rows over 4 inches in stockinette stitch. Achieving the correct gauge is essential for obtaining the proper finished measurements and ensuring the hat fits as intended. The pattern begins with a cast-on of 100 stitches, which establishes the circumference and allows for the characteristic slouchy fit.

Skill Level and Experience

Rated as an advanced beginner project, the Skyline Slouch is accessible to knitters with foundational skills in casting on, knitting, purling, and working in the round. The pattern introduces color changes and crown shaping techniques while maintaining straightforward stitch patterns, making it an excellent project for building confidence with more complex construction methods.