Iced Gingerbread Russian brioche messy bun hat

I have made this hat pattern a couple times before (here and here) and really enjoy it. It isn't exactly standard brioche; the technique is easier than brioche but still results in a beautiful, squishy, reversible, two-color project, so I love it.

The color scheme I've chosen here reminds me of iced gingerbread, so that's what I'm calling this hat. 😊

The biggest difference this time is that I stopped decreasing after the 48-stitch section to leave the top of the crown open as a messy bun/ponytail style hat. I used a 5mm crochet hook to cast off the knitted stitches into a round of 48 SC, and then worked one more round of SC with a few decreases to get the final stitch count down to 40 stitches.

The language of the video is Russian, but it's easy to follow along with the designer, Katerina Mushyn, as she knits in the video, so even if you don't speak Russian, don't be afraid to try this pattern. She also provides written instructions in both Russian and English in the video and on her website.

Video tutorial: https://youtu.be/iPabTSvzu04
Written pattern: http://prjaga.com/vyazanie-dlya-zhenshchin/shapka-beret/komplekt-bordo-shapka-i-snud-spicami

It's also helpful to use a row counter that has main/subcounter functionality with this project. I used this free browser-based Row Counter App.

 

Huffleclaw/Ravenpuff Hermione cloche

I decided to start this one off a bit differently by using a nice, stretchy cable cast-on in color A. Unlike the provisional cast-on in the pattern, the cable cast-on will remain a part of the finished hat, giving the B side especially a nice touch of twisted-rope contrast at the bottom edge.

This is also the first project I've made while using my new Knit Picks Shorties - and I LOVE them!! They make working a hat brim SOOO much easier. Love, love, love them.

 

 

Here's a link to my Ravelry project page with details about the yarn colors and needle sizes I used.

 

Full disclosure: My decision to use the cable cast-on for this turned out to not be the best thing to do. The double-knit brim as worked in Katerina's pattern is much stretchier and more comfortable. So don't try my idea! Stick with the provisional cast-on that flows you right into the stretchy double-knit brim.

I made this hat for me, since I identify with Hermione's character, except in my case I would probably be sorted into either Hufflepuff or Ravenclaw. Hence, I straddle the fence and call myself a Huffleclaw/Ravenpuff.

Russian brioche hat

Pattern is on Katerina's blog (scroll down for English version). And you don't have to speak Russian to benefit from her companion video, which walks you through each step.

I know the technique she's using here isn't traditional brioche knitting, but I don't know enough about knitting terminology to know what this is called in English so I'm just calling it Russian brioche. It resembles traditional two-color brioche in appearance and squishy, stretchy texture ... so why not call it brioche? 

I love everything about this pattern: The two-color double-knit brim makes a perfect base from which to launch into the two-color Russian brioche crown - and a super-warm, soft and stretchy band to hug the wearer's head. And the crown has the gorgeous look of brioche without the difficulty of knitting in brioche. And it's reversible!!

I'm rating this pattern as "medium" difficulty only because there are a couple of intermediate stitches involved (the double-knit brim and knitting and purling into the row below) and the decreases are a bit challenging, but I'm sure a skilled beginner can manage them if they watch the video closely.

This hat will be one of Silver's gifts this Christmas. Here's the link to my Ravelry project page, which has the details for yarn colors and needle sizes used.