Two colors of bulky yarn. Main Color - dark and solid, Contrast Color - bright and can be solid, variegated, or striped. The sample is shown using Lamb's Pride Bulky and 3-ply handspun merino. (Cable plied single)
16” circular and a set of double pointed needles size 9 or size for you to get gauge.
stitch marker
large-eyed needle
tape measure or ruler
Gauge: 13 st = 4”
Size: adult medium 22" - 23" head
Abbreviations:
MC - main color
CC - contrast color
K - knit
P - purl
S1 - slip stitch from left to right needle, purlwise with yarn in back
K2T - knit 2 stitches together
DPNs - double-pointed needles
With MC, cast on 72 stitches loosely onto circular needle. Place marker to designate the beginning and join into a circle, being careful not to twist yarn.
- MC: K
- P
- CC: (K 1, S1) around
- (P 1, S1) around
- MC: K
- P
- K
- CC: K
- MC: (K 2, S1) around
Repeat Rows 8 and 9 until hat measures 6” from the bottom.
10) CC: (K2T, K1) around 48 St
11) MC: (K1, S1) around
12) CC: K
13) MC: (K1, S1) around, cut MC yarn
Repeat Rows 12 and 13 twice and begin using DPNs
14) CC: K2T around 24 St
15) K
16) K
17) K2T around 12 st
Cut yarn, leaving an 8” tail. Thread tail through needle and run through 12 stitches, removing them from needles, then run through again. Tighten and weave ends in on the inside of hat.
Notes: If you use a long tail cast-on, the tail should be about 3 times the finished edge plus 12". For example, if the finished hat edge measures 22", then 22" X 3 = 66" + 12" = 72." Therefore, you should allow 72" for the tail. If you do this and end up with two feet of yarn left, you are casting on too tightly.
A handy tip for casting on is to divide the tail in half and mark with a slip knot. You should have cast on half your stitches just before the knot. If not, rip out and adjust your tightness or looseness.
You do not need to twist yarn at the color changes on each row.
