What are vertical crown decreases?

The vertical decreases technique uses paired decreases on either side of a column of stitches, evenly spaced across the crown, creating a nice, clean, symmetric crown. This technique pairs a k2tog + ssk decrease on either side of a stitch marker, and can be used with any number of overall sections or sts between decrease sts.

When to use them

This method is great for when you want a clean, simple aesthetic using smooth structural lines. Vertical decreases also work better than spiral lines when planning to use a stitch pattern on the crown of the hat, as they are easier to work around.

Doodle patterns that use this technique

The Base Doodle Beanie 2 is worked with a vertical decrease crown.

INSTRUCTIONS

The numbers in this tutorial refer to our Base Doodle hat/beanie patterns. Work pattern as written up until crown shaping.

Set up round: [Using crown color, k21, 24, 27 (30, 33, 36), place marker], repeat to end of round. 

Note: all sizes should be divided evenly into 4 sections.

Decrease rounds:

• Rnd 1: [K1, ssk, knit to 3 sts before marker, k2tog, k1, slip marker], rep to end of round. 8 sts dec’d.

• Rnd 2: Knit all stitches.

Repeat Rnds 1 & 2 three times total.

Repeat Rnd 1 until 12, 16, 12 (16, 12, 16) sts remain, switching to DPNs or Magic Loop as needed.

Work one round of k2tog across all stitches [6, 8, 6 (8, 6, 8) sts remaining].

Break yarn, leaving approx. 8 in [20 cm] tail.

Using tapestry needle, pull yarn tail through remaining stitches, pull tight, and secure.

MODIFICATION OPTIONS

Even within this technique, you have options for modifications!

Change rate of decrease

Our Beanie 2 Base Pattern is written to work the decreases every other round for 6 rounds, then every round until you're done. But this rate of crown decreases is completely flexible, and you can change the rate of decreases to change the shape of your crown!

Change number of sections

Vertical shaping can work for different numbers of sections. The crown in Beanie 2 is worked across 4 even sections, but this is also adjustable to fit your desired aesthetic.

Standard Doodle St Counts. Because each size in our Doodle Base Patterns is a multiple of 12 or 24, the number of sections you choose should also evenly divide into either 12 or 24 (which is why 3, 4, and 6 work, but 5 doesn't).

Happy Doodling!

 

Written and illustrated by Jamie Lomax. Pattern shown is the Base Doodle Beanie 2 knit with yarn from Moonglow Yarn Co.