Last year Lion Brand yarn began a new project to raise awareness of bullying, Hat not Hate. They chose to do so by collecting handmade hats and using those as a way to reach children in schools during national anti-bullying month in October. The hats open a door to discuss the topic and give children a visual reminder of what they have learned.
Although I homeschool my children, my now adult children did attend public school and had at times been on the receiving end of bullying. In addition there are so many families in the homeschool community as a result of school bullying. It's a good cause and a great project. After all, a hat is a small project that can be as simple or complex as you desire, making it a good project for both beginners and experienced crafters.
So I decided to create a new pattern just for the movement, the Mock Twist. You can find it below, or visit Ravelry for an ad free PDF copy with adjustments for various sizes.. If you chose to make a hat, please consider donating to the #HatnotHate project. You can find more information at hatnothate.org.
You will need:
4.5 mm (US 7) double pointed needles
4.5 mm (US7) circular needles
worsted weight yarn that yields the correct gauge (sample project knit with Red Heart Super Saver in Soft Navy)
yarn needle
Stitches used:
k = knit stitch
p = purl stitch
LT = left twist: skip next stitch on left needle, knit in the back loop of the second stitch, leaving the stitch on the needle. Then bring the right needle to the front of the left needle and knit into the skipped stitch. Lastly, pull both loops off of the left needle
LTdec = left twist decrease: skip the next stitch on the left needle, knit in the back loop of the second and third stitch together to decrease leaving the single new stitch on the needle. Then bring the right needle to the front of the left needle and knit into the skipped stitch. Lastly pull both loops of the left needle.
Gauge swatch - measures 3 inches by 3 inches once completed using pattern below
Guage pattern:
cast on 16 stitches
R1 and all wrong side rounds: k3, p5, k2, p5, k3
R2 : p3, LT, k3, p2, LT, k3, p3
R4 : p3, k1, LT, k2, p2, k1, LT, k2, p3
R6 : p3, k2, LT, k1, p2, k2, LT, k1, p3
R8 : p3, k3, LT, p2, k3, LT, p3
repeat row 1-8. Take off needles and measure for gauge.
Pattern:
CO 105 stitches, join to form a loop being careful not to twist your stitches. Place stitch marker to mark start of each round
R1 (and all wrong side rounds): *k5, p2 repeat from * to end
R2: * LT, k3, p2 repeat from * to end
R4: *k1, LT, k2, p2 repeat from * to end
R6: *k2, LT, k1, p2 repeat from * to end
R8: *k3, LT, p2 repeat from * to end
repeat R1-8 for a total of 5 repeats or until piece measures 6 1/2 inches
decreases:
R1: *k5, p2 repeat from * to end
R2: *LTdec, k2, p2 repeat from * to end ( 90 stitches)
R3: * k4, p2 repeat from * to end
R4: * k1, LT, k2, p2 repeat from * to end
R5: *k4, p2 repeat from * to end
R6: * k2, LT, p2tog repeat from * to end ( 75 stitches)
R7: *k4, p1 repeat from * to end
R8: *LTdec, k1, p1 repeat from * to end ( 60 stitches)
R9: *k3, p1 repeat from * to end
R10: *LTdec, p1 repeat from * to end (45 stitches)
R11: *k2, p1 repeat from * to end
R12: *k2tbl, p1 repeat from * to end (30 stitches)
R13: p2tog, *k1, p1 repeat from * around to last 2 stitches, k2tbl (28 stitches)
R14: *p1, LTdec repeat from * around (21 stitches)
R15: *p1, k2 repeat from * around
R16: *p1, k2tbl repeat from * around (14 stitches)
R17: k2tog around (7 stitches)
cut yarn and use a needle to thread end through stitches on needle. pull tight and weave in ends.
