The Pussyhat Project (and in-the-round pattern variation!)

Scroll down for in-the-round pattern variation of the original Pussyhat Project hat at the end of this blog post! 

The Pussyhat Project is knitting matched with activism. Knitters, crocheters and sewers have been invited to make a pink hat for the Women’s March.

I love that – “The more we are seen, the more we are heard. Let’s come together to support women’s rights in a creative and impactful way.”

There’s something wonderful about multiples of something. There’s no doubt that a sea of pink hats will send a really strong statement. 

Plus, look how cute these hats are.

I didn’t knit for the march on Washington. I wanted to, but was feeling absolutely overwhelmed with an international move and planning a wedding and the idea of going to the post office on top of all that was almost enough to bring me to tears.

But there’s a sister march in London, and my friend Amber (she of the socks and our podcast) is interested in marching too. I thought: “Maybe I can do that?” Then I knit a (modified) hat in two hours flat.

The original pattern by Kat Coyle is really nifty. You rib for a bit, work a length of stockinette, and after another bit of ribbing, seam up the long sides. But calls for a heck of a lot of purling. I don’t despise purling the way I did when I was a little baby knitter, but it’s not my favourite thing. 

Instead of following the pattern, I cast on 52 stitches and joined in the round. A whack of 2-2 ribbing (2 knits, two purls) and we’re away. I knit until 7.5 inches from the cast on edge (half of the original pattern’s length), and used a three needle bind off to finish.

This variation means there’s no seaming (unless you count the three needle bind off, which I don’t) and a faster knit (unless you’re a speedy purler, which I’m not)

There’s a lot of room for discussions about whether just knitting a hat and showing up for just one day is really enough. It’s not. Clearly it’s not enough. But that’s no reason not to knit. Even if all we start with is a warm hat on a cold day.

The Pussyhat Project in-the-round pattern variation

Materials: Worsted weight pink yarn and 4.5mm needles – or adjust the numbers to suit.

• Cast on 52 stitches for a small-medium size or 56 stitches for medium-large, and join in the round, being careful not to twist.
• Work in 2 by 2 ribbing for 4.1/4 inches.
• Knit until 7.5 inches from the cast on edge.
• Flip the hat inside out, then bind off using a three needle bindoff.

Weaving in ends and protest your heart out!