ribbed hat stretchieness question

cara · 10-18-2006, 07:39 AM

Hi all,

I want to make a hat that is ribbed the whole way up (wing it with my own pattern)...

I normally CO 90 stitches for an adult hat. What I am wondering, is the ribbing stretchy enough that I should only CO 80? Normally I work the body of the hat in Stockingette stitch and just the starting 1-2 inches in ribbing.

Thanks!!

Quiara · 10-18-2006, 01:01 PM

If you CO 90 for a hat that involves the 2 inches or so of ribbing at the bottom, I would say it's safe to assume that you'd still need about 90 for a hat that's ribbed all the way up. While it would be stretchier, I think that the amount the bottom stretches won't be appreciably different. Could be wrong on this, but that's my guess.

Denise in Michigan · 10-18-2006, 08:23 PM

Nope, cast on at least your normal 90. Ribbing does pull in; that's part of it's beauty, warmth, and practical nature.

I think it's worth doing a small swatch and stretching it to see just how much variation there can be in fit and appearance. It's width-wise expansion will also vary depending upon the type of ribbing, ie., 3X1, 2X2, 2X1, etc.