How to knit a round NOT knitting in the round

[Kulli]

I'm looking for a basic pattern to knit a flat circle. Nothing fancy, just plain knitting but round and flat, not to be confused with knitting in the round. I want to use this as the top of a hat (imagine a top hat).

[OffJumpsJack]

If this were crochet, I could tell you the magic number of increases per round is between 5 to 10 depending on the yarn or thread, hook, and stitch sizes.

I don't know the magic numbers for knitting in the round for flat circles.

It is still knitting in the round, you just increase at a rate that keeps the piece flat.

I'll give it a try with a CO of 4,
Round 1: kfb in each stitch. (8 sts)
Round 2: (k1, kfb) repeat around (12 sts)
Round 2: (kfb, k1) repeat around (18 sts)
Round 3: (k2, kfb) repeat around (24 sts)
round 4-?: Work 6 increase evenly around until piece is size desired.

I'm at round 3 and I can't tell yet if it will lie flat or ripple into waves.

If it tries to doom up, I would work 8 increases each round beginning with round 2.

If it begins to form ripply waves around the edge, then you may want to k around without increases.



I'll share my results after several more rounds.