Hats for Kara by Carolyn Vance

Beyond the Pattern

Need a quick knit for a gift? These hats can be knit up in a weekend and have an easily memorized pattern.

Sizes

Infant (Child M, Adult S, Adult M, Adult L)

Finished Measurements

Circumference: 13 (15, 17, 19, 20)”

DESIGNER NOTE—These hats are intended to be worn with negative ease. The 19” hat fits a head 22” in circumference without being in the least snug. It’s more like a fuzzy alpaca hug for the head.

Materials

Blue Sky Fibers EXTRA (218yds/199m, 150g/5.25oz, 55% Baby Alpaca, 45% Fine Merino): 1 skein each #3512 Cherry Blossom (MC) and #3517 Nocturne (CC) or
Blue Sky Fibers TECHNO (120yds/109m, 50g/1.76oz, 68% Baby Alpaca, 22% Silk, 10% Extra Fine Merino): 1 (1, 1, 2, 2) skeins #1987 Serene (MC) and 1 skein #1988 Tranquil (CC)
Size 9 (5.5mm) 16” (40cm) circular needle or two sizes smaller than size needed for gauge
Size 10½ (6.5mm) 16” (40cm) circular needle and dpns or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

DESIGNER NOTE—Yarn usage! If you are skilled at playing yarn chicken and do not use any yarn for a swatch and get the exact pattern gauge, you will be able to knit even the largest hat with just one skein of Techno for the main color, with a few yards left over. However, if you knit a swatch or add a pompom in the MC, you may need that second skein for the two largest sizes. The skeins of Extra are large enough that multiple hats and pompoms can be made from one skein of MC.

Gauge

In Dot pat on larger needles, after blocking, 16 sts & 21 rnds = 4”/10cm. To save time, take time to check gauge.

Stitch Pattern

Dot Pattern (multiple of 4 sts)

See Chart, or use the following directions:
Rnds 1–3: With MC, knit.
Rnd 4: *K1 CC, k3 MC; rep from * around.
Rnds 5–7: Knit in MC.
Rnd 8: *K2 MC, k1 CC, k1 MC; rep from * around.
Rep Rnds 1–8 for pat.

Hat

Using smaller needle, CO 52 (60, 68, 76, 80) sts. Join to work in the rnd, taking care not to twist sts, pm. Work in K2P2 ribbing for 1 (2, 2, 2, 2.5)”. Change to larger needle.
Work Rnds 1–8 of Dot pat 5 (6, 6, 7, 8) times, or to desired length from CO.
Next Rnd: Dec 4 (12, 4, 0, 4) sts evenly spaced around.

Crown

TECHNICAL TIP—Change to dpns when necessary.

Rnd 1: *K2, k2tog; rep from *.
Rnd 2: *K1, k2tog; rep from *.
Rnd 3: *K2tog; rep from *.
Cont to knit two sts tog until 6 sts rem—this may not be at the end of a rnd. Cut yarn, leaving a 6–8” tail. With tapestry needle, run tail through the 6 live sts which rem and tighten.

Weave in ends and block.

Add a finishing touch to your hat with

Pompoms

I-cord

or a tassel.