Is there a knitting technique to avoid the scrunching of stitches at the finish of a hat?

Question

I made my first hat this weekend and when it told me to finish decreasing the amount of stitches it said to run the end of my yarn trough the remaining stitches and pull tight, but it made a scrunched effect that I do not like. Is there a technique for a perfectly smooth/ round hat?

Answer 1

You can reduce and even eliminate the scrunch by doing more decreases.  The problem you experienced is most likely a problem with the pattern and not with you.  Some pattern writers are satisfied with the scrunch look and write their patterns that way.  Just do an extra row (or two) of k2togs (or whatever decrease you are using).

Answer 2

HI there.  I know the scrunching you are referring too. And I haven't had that problem since the first time I tried it.  Usually, that happens when there are too many stitches to pull, or if you are trying to pull it too tight.  These 2 instances will both result in the scrunching effect.  Especially if the fabric that you have knitted is very tight, dense firm, etc.  try leaving a little "hole" in the tip top of the hat.  it won't look bad, I have a store bought hat that has the little hole in the top and it looks fine.  Did you try it on something to see if the "scrunched effect" disappears?  What about blocking, this may  effect the end result of the garment.  Hope this helps, sometimes it's nice to know that someone else knows what you're talking about!  I started knitting and quit smoking the  same day...he he ...my frustrations were amplified! Yet eventually resolved!