Every knitter has that one pattern; their go-to for gifts. It’s great if it’s a bulky weight quick project, even better if it’s classic, yet unique, and best of all- FREE! The Carten Knit Hat pattern is for everyone. I got a quick thumbs-up from all 4 of the men in my life and we all know how hard it is to find a solid “Yes” from the fellas when it comes to handmades.
THE STORY ON THIS HAT
Every year, my beautiful friend Marly Bird does a December round-up of patterns that take less than 1 day to complete. This year, Carten is my contribution to this amazing collection of speedy gifts for the holidays!
Today is only day 12! You will want to check her site daily for all the upcoming freebies–both knit and crochet, every day!!
Just because this project had to be something fast to make, didn’t mean it had to be boring! I absolutely love the look of the broken rib stitch pattern. Love it.
So that was an easy decision. Now, I had to decide exactly how to make this hat unique… and that became clear when I started to question how I would make the decreases for the crown.
About the yarn
Carten knit beanie is made from Bernat’s Softee Chunky Twist Yarn, which is 100% acrylic, size 6 Super Bulky (*I’m going to jump in with a bit of a disclaimer – I know the label and manufacturer are calling this a super bulky yarn, but I find it to be much thinner than multiple other super bulky #6 yarns I have. In a side-by-side comparison, I feel it is much closer to the lighter, #5 Bulky weight. That said, the optional yarn recommendations I have are all #5 bulky).
Sample beanie is made in Taupe Twist.
Bernat Softee Chunky Twist
Other yarns to consider for your Carten Beanie
The sizes available
At this time, the hat is only available in “Average Adult”. It comfortably fits all of my adult sons, as well as my husband and myself. I highly recommend the super stretchy German Twist cast on method, making this hat comfy for everyone.
VIDEO tutorial for this cast on in the Carten video.
Love easy knits?
Now that you’ve made beanies for everyone on your list, isn’t it time you make a little something for yourself!?? Make this no-guilt, super-fast sweater in time for your next socially distant Zoom gathering of friends. Free pattern on the site: Glaese Sweater {FREE pattern}
The skills you need
Carten is not a difficult hat to make. If some of the stitches are new to you, there is a VIDEO available that teaches everything you need to know.
stretchy cast on – knit – purl – 2together – slip psso – center double decrease – kitchener
Prefer a PDF?
For ONE DAY ONLY, as part of the 24 quick pattern celebration, you can download this pdf for FREE. Update this off has expired.
Some quick info about this free Carten knit hat pattern post:
This page has complete directions – or – you can inexpensively purchase the pattern
HERE (Etsy) or HERE (LoveCrafts) or HERE (Payhip) or HERE (Ravelry) or HERE (Makerist) and you will receive an ad-free, linked, pdf download, which also includes:
- Schematic of measurements
- Stitch chart
Getting started
Yes, I say this with every pattern – because it’s important. If I’ve said it once, I’ve said it a thousand times- My friend, ya need to swatch. I know it’s no fun. I know you want to get right to the good stuff. I know it feels like a waste of yarn, and yarn ain’t cheap.
I know. Truly, I know.
But– You want your hat to fit your intended recipient. This means you need to know how your stitching sizes up to my stitching.
We are all different. Heck, we’re different from ourselves at any given time. I know my gauge is tighter when watching a show than it is if I’m in my stitching chair listening to a book.
Grumble and grump about it (I do), but do it.
To make the process easier and more enjoyable, I’ve created this FREE worksheet for you to use. It helps with the steps, the math, and the organization. Blocking Worksheet
I really hope you enjoy the Stitch Together video for this project! Did you know I also make Tiny Tutorials for useful techniques and stitches?
Subscribe to my YouTube Channel so you don’t miss the next video.
The pattern
Carten
A free knit hat pattern, by Rebecca Velasquez
#CartenBeanie
SHOW IT OFF! Tag @RV.designs (instagram) and use the #CartenBeanie hashtag to share your in-progress pics of your very cool hat!
MATERIALS & TOOLS
YARN Super Bulky weight (#6 super bulky); 91 yds [84 m]
Shown Bernat, Softee Chunky Twist, Taupe Twist (100% acrylic; 316 yd [289 m] / 10.58 oz [300 g]), 1 skein; Taupe Twist
*Amount given is for hat as shown | written. Yardage will vary with any alterations of pattern.
NEEDLES US 10 1/2 [6.50 mm] cables short enough to work in the round (16″)
Set of US 10 1/2 [6.50 mm] dpns (for working small, crown rows); or size needed to obtain gauge; the needles I used for this and most projects are the super pointy ChiaoGoo Red Lace Interchangeables
and the double pointed needles I prefer are bamboo Clover .dpns
NOTIONS Stitch markers (4), tapestry needle
For a complete list of all the tools/supplies I use, find it HERE (affiliate link)
Gauge
12 sts and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in stitch pattern after light blocking. See above for blocking swatch instructions.
Finished MEasurements
CIRCUMFERENCE (unstretched) 18” [46 cm]; (stretched) 24” [61 cm]
HEIGHT (brim included) 10” [25.5 cm]
Project Level
Intermediate
TECHNIQUES USED stretchy cast on – knit – purl – 2together – slip psso – center double decrease – kitchener
NOTES
GENERAL
- Pattern is written in US terms with imperial and metric measurements.
- Read through each line before beginning to avoid any confusion during stitching.
- Refer to SPECIAL STITCHES instruction {below} and VIDEO as needed.
- Take time to save time. Using same yarn as intended for hat, stitch, wash, and block a gauge swatch in the same manner you will be using for your project to ensure proper measurements. Please refer to Gauge Swatch above.
CONSTRUCTION
Hat is worked in 1 piece, bottom up, from brim to crown in the round. Crown is then seamed across the top in a variation of the kitchener stitch (written instructions within pattern {refer to Video}.
ABBREVIATIONS & SPECIAL STITCHES
CO – cast on
CDD – center double dec
K – knit
P – purl
PM – place marker
PSSO – pass sl st over
Rep – repeat
RS – right side
Sl – slip
St(s) – stitch(es)
Tog – tog
WS – wrong side
SPECIAL STITCHES
P2tog (purl 2 stitches together) Place the right hand needle under the first and second stitch of the left needle purlwise, purl both stitches as if they were one; decreasing by one stitch.
K2tog (knit 2 stitches together) Place the right hand needle under the second then first stitch of the left needle knitwise, knit both stitches as if they were one; decreasing by one stitch.
CDD (center double decrease) Slip first and second stitch from left needle to right, as if to knit two together, knit next stitch, using left needle, lift slipped stitches as one and pass them over knit stitch just made and off right needle; decreasing by 2 stitches.
hat
Ribbing | Brim
Cast on 60 using stretch cast on method of your choice; sample uses German Twist Cast On {VIDEO}. Being careful not to twist, join to stitch in the round, PM to mark beginning of round.
Row 1 *K2, P1; rep from * around.
Repeat Row 1 until ribbing measures 2” [5 cm].
Hat Body
Row 1 *P2, K1; rep from * around to end.
Row 2 Knit.
Repeat Row 1-2 until entire piece measures 5½” [14 cm], ending after a knit row.
PM after 15 and 45 sts on any round to mark sides.
[Beg M, 15 sts, M, 30 sts, M, 15 sts]
Crown
Row 1 *Work in established pattern (Row 1) to side marker, slip marker, p2tog; rep from *, in established pattern to end.
Row 2 Knit.
Row 3 *Work in established pattern (Row 1) to one st before side marker, place new marker, CDD, removing old marker; rep from *, in established pattern to end.
Row 4 Knit.
Row 5 *Work in established pattern to 2 sts before side marker, place new marker, p2tog, removing old marker, k1, p2tog; rep from *, in established pattern to end.
Row 6 Knit.
Row 7 *Work in established pattern to 3 sts before side marker, place new marker, p2tog, sl, remove marker, k, psso, k1, k2tog, p2tog; rep from *, in established pattern to end. 42 sts
Row 8 Knit.
Row 9 *Work in established pattern to 3 sts before side marker, place new marker, p2tog, sl, remove marker, k, psso, CDD, k2tog, p2tog; rep from *, in established pattern to end. 30 sts
Row 10 Knit.
Row 11 *Work in established pattern to 3 sts before side marker, p2tog, sl, remove marker, k, psso, CDD, k2tog, p2tog; rep from *, knit to end. 18 sts
Leaving a tail of 12” [30.5 cm] +, cut yarn.
Assembly
With RS together, evenly distribute stitches on 2 dpns, having 9 sts each with a CDD being an end stitch of each needle, the working yarn will be on the 3rd or 4th stitch (depending on how you divided- either is fine).
With tail on back needle, using a tapestry needle and working on the WS of fabric, weave tail through stitching to have tail now coming from last stitch on right edge.
Kitchener Variation
With yarn coming from last stitch on right of back needle, *using tapestry needle, insert knitwise in first stitch on front needle, slipping stitch off needle onto tail yarn, insert tapestry needle into next stitch of front needle purlwise, leave stitch on needle.
Keeping yarn under knitting needle tips, insert tapestry needle purlwise in first stitch on back needle, slipping stitch off needle onto tail yarn, insert tapestry needle into next stitch of back needle knitwise, leave stitch on needle.
Rep from * until 1 st remains on each needle.
insert knitwise in last stitch on front needle, do not slip stitch off needle, insert tapestry needle into last stitch of front needle purlwise, slip both stitches off needle.
Insert needle through fabric to manuever yarn to WS.
Finishing
Remove marker(s), weave in ends.
Lightly steam seams and edges for best results. •
Stitch & Share
#CartenBeanie and #RVdesigns
When you’re showing off your gorgeous handmades on social sites, please tag all your in-progress and completed postings – I really do love to see the different variations!
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QUESTIONS about this pattern?
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Other free patterns you may like
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Can’t start this project right away? No worries, Pin it for later!
Hi Rebecca !!! I loved this hat !!! I have a question : I am participating to the Marly Bird’s 24 Days of Quickies Cal. I came to your website and bought the pattern for free, but when I want to download it the system tells me “ Sorry, you have reached your download limit for this file”. Can you help me please ? Thanks so much for your help !!!
Hello! I am glad you are excited to make the Carten hat! Thank you for reaching out. There was a bit of a technical glitch, I’m so sorry. I believe we have gotten it worked out. Please try to redownload, using the original link that was sent to you.
~rebecca