Pop Fizzle

Pop Fizzle is a slightly slouchy hat with a chevron lace detail, knit using the two-color brioche stitch. This hat is worked in the round from the bottom up. Two-color brioche creates a gorgeous reversible fabric! So now, it’s like you have two hats! Using less than one skein of yarn per color (no matter what size you make), this hat makes a great stash-buster or a wonderful gift!

Skill level: Intermediate. Basic two color brioche skills are not required, but are recommended. Techniques used: knitting in the round, brioche knit (brk), brioche purl (brp), brioche increases and decreases.

This pattern is both written and charted, for your convenience!

If you have not yet tried knitting brioche, fear not!! This hat may look complicated, but the twists and turns are made by increasing and decreasing the brioche stitches and are so much fun once you learn! This pattern is written so that ANYONE can knit it, with photo tutorials and links to videos teaching the techniques. I also highly recommend visiting Nancy Marchant’s website: www.briochestitch.com. She is the best teacher for this amazing stitch!!

Size and Gauge: There are 3 size options for this hat. The sizing is determined by simply switching what weight of yarn you use, making it a great stash-buster! The hat shown in the pattern and main photo is Option 1, the smallest size, modeled on a 22” adult head. Option 1: 21 sts x 25 rows = 4” - 19” C x 9.5” H (slouchy) Option 2: 20 sts x 23 rows = 4” - 19.5” C x 9.5” H (slouchier) Option 3: 18 sts x 22 rows = 4” - 20” C x 10” H (slouchiest) In all options, gauge is measured in straight two-color brioche stitch (taken after blocking).

Yarn: Option 1: Main color (MC): 90yds / 82m sport weight yarn Contrast color (CC): 180yds / 165m sock/fingering weight yarn, held double (meaning I held two strands of yarn together while knitting) Option 2: MC: 110yds / 101m DK weight yarn CC: 105yds / 96m sport weight yarn Option 3: MC: 95yds / 87m DK weight yarn CC: 105yds / 96m DK weight yarn

Shown in: MC: Less than 1 skein Swans Island Ecowash Sport in Verdigris EWB110 (100% Washable Merino Wool; 180 yds per 50g) CC: Less than 1 skein Hedgehog Fibres Sock in Monet (90% superwash merino wool, 10% nylon; 383 yds per 100g)

Needles: 16” & 40” US 6/4.0mm circular needle for magic loop method, or US 6/4.0mm DPN’s. I find that circular needles are much easier with complicated brioche stitches.

Tools: tapestry needle for weaving in ends, row counter, stitch marker for marking beginning of round, cable needle or stitch marker for use with decreasing sts, 5 contrasting color stitch markers for dividing lace sections.

Photo credit: Ruth Hart Mowry