Sunday, January 30, 2005

Rave Reviews for This Hat

I have gotten rave reviews for this hat, which I created by modifying several designs for Ecuadorian hats to suit making it up quickly with chunky yarn. My oldest son, Cody, has been the trials man for this prototype, and swears by the thicker yarns for their ability to block out the wind while snowboarding(he has been my coach since my daughter and I took up boarding five seasons ago).


This model is made from Red Heart Baby Clouds, a very dense boucle acrylic that is widely available. Posted by Hello


Cody modeling his earflap hat made from Sirdar Snowflake with Bernat Galaxy used for the darker stripes Posted by Hello

This photo shows the same hat made up in Lion Brand Homespun on the left (that's Keith) and Red Heart Light and Lofty on the right (on Cody).

YARN: Approximately 4 ounces of a bulky yarn such as Reynolds Lopi, Lambs Pride Bulky, Lion Brand Homespun or Red Heart Light and Lofty

NEEDLES: Size #9 dpns and #9 small circular - you will use the small circular to start the hat at the widest point, and switch to dps when the decreasing makes it too narrow to knit comfortably on circulars. 16 inch needle cord would work best, but you can use 24 inch if that's what you have.

GAUGE: 2 1/2 stitches = 1 inch

PATTERN
Earflap
CO 27 stitches on #9 needles (you will be knitting back and forth)
Row 1: Knit across.
Row 2: (first decrease row) K 11, K2T, K1tbl (through back loop), SSK, K 11
Row 3: K10, K2T, K1tbl, SSK, K10
Continiue in this manner, working one less stitch on either side of double decrease and knitting the center stitch through the back loop until 3 stitches remain.
Bind off.
Make second earflap in the same manner.

Body of Hat
Using #9 circular needle, cast on 17 stitches for the back of the hat, pick up and knit 9 stitches from the top of the first earflap, cast on 17 more stitches for the front of the hat, then pick up and knit 9 stitches from the second earflap, placing a marker for the beginning of round before joining (52 stitches). Be careful not to twist the stitches. Knit *K1,P1* ribbing for two rounds. Knit 10 more rounds.
Rnd 13 (first decrease round - remember to change to dpns when there are too few stitches to fit comfortably around the circular needle):Decrease every 7th stitch by K2T
Rnds 14 and 15 - knit
Rnd 16 (decrease round) - Decrease every 6th stitch by K2T
Rnds 17 and 18 - knit
Rnd 19 (decrease round) - Decrease every 5th stitch
Rnds 20 and 21 - knit
Rnd 22 (decrease round) - Decrease every 4th stitch
Rnds 23 and 24 - knit
Rnd 25 (decrease round) - K2, K2T around
Rnds 26 and 27 - knit
Rnd 28 - K1, K2T around
Rnd 29 - knit
Rnd 30 - K2T around
Break yarn and draw through remaining stitches and pull tight. Weave in ends and wear.

You can add a single crochet border around the entire hat if desired.

Optional Ear Cords:

Using dpns, cast on three stitches. Knit across, then slip the work to the other end (DON'T turn). Knit next row in the same manner. Continue this method until cord is desired length (10 inches or so). Make another cord and sew to bottom of each ear flap.