Delight

This flat knit hat looks much more complex than it is. It flies off the needles as you are caught up in watching the shape and colors come together. This is inspired by Dean Crane's Pinwheel Hat. I had made one for hubby and really liked the speed, ease and construction. I thought I would see how it would work using a bit of color. I revisited an old mosaic (slip stitch) pattern that I had used on The Other Sueet. It was a delight watching the striped top form while the lattice wound it's way around the band.

Working Notes: I list circs first, I just find them easier on the hands than straights, either will work fine. For a tidier seam use a provisional cast on then either graft or use a three needle bind off. Be sure to give the first stitches of the row a little tug to keep them tidy. The band will most likely curl on you as you are working, it will be balanced out once you do the bottom garter band.

Sizing & Yarn Subbing: Sizing is a breeze, which also facilitates yarn substituting. I suggest you knit up one repeat of the pattern. Measure the bottom edge and from that (and the desired finished measurements) you can determine how many repeats you will need to do. If your recipient is around, chase him/her down and try the hat on while it is in progree (another reason why I suggest circs). Circumference: Decrease the number of repeats you do for a smaller hat circumference/increase for larger. On the pink/white I did a total of 10 sections, on the black/multi I did 11. Band: The trellis slip stitch is a repeat of 4+2+1. In the pink and white model I did 2 pattern repeats, in the black/multi I cast on 4 more stitches for 3 repeats of trellis on the band (so the hat wouldn't pop off my head and such).
Yarn subbing: I think most any yarn will work well, it's just a matter of checking numbers on that swatch. I know ZarOne isn't easily available outside of Italy and I never use the model fibers in a pattern and don't expect you to either. It would also be a fun way to use up those odds and ends, try a solid/neutral MC and whatever catches your eye for the CC or visa versa!

Size

To fit 54 cm head with instructions for yarn subbing/re-sizing.

Materials

The pink and white model:
[MC] Filatura di Crosa's ZarOne [50% Fine Merino, 50% Acrylic; 60yd/55m per 50g skein];
color: #1022 Dusty Rose; 2 skeins
[CC] Filatura di Crosa's ZarOne [50% Fine Merino, 50% Acrylic; 60yd/55m per 50g skein];
color: #1018 Cream; 1 skein

The black and multi-color model:
[MC] Ornaghi Filati's Lana "D'Italia" [100% Virgin Wool ; 77yd/70m per 50g skein];
color: #21 Black; 2 skeins
[CC] Details on the chennile are not available, it was a mystery piece I picked up from the LOYM. Used bet 60-80m, I think.

1 set US #8/5mm circular needles (or straights)

Tapestry needle for seaming and weaving in ends

You may want to use a stitch marker as you are getting used to the pattern. Keep in mind you work between the * * below until 1 stitch before the YO so I did not put the (x times) in every row (also makes it less distracting if you are re-sizing).

Gauge

4 sts = 1inch/2.5cm in stockinette stitch on pink/white 4.5sts= 1inch/2.5cm on the black/multi

Directions

(this is for the smaller size, please see sizing notes above for making an adult size hat)

Using MC cast on 21 sts

Row 1: (CC) K2 * S1, K1 *(4 times) K1, YO, SSK, turn
Row 2: and all even rows work as presented (purl the purl sts, slip the slip sts).
Row 3: (MC) K2 * K1, S1, K2 * K1, YO, K1, SSK, turn
Row 5: (CC) K1, S1 *K3, S1 * K1, YO, K2, SSK, turn
Row 7: (MC) K2 * K1, S1, K2 * K1, YO, K3, SSK, turn
Row 9: (CC) K2 * S1, K1 * K1, YO, K4, SSK, turn
Row 11: (MC) K1, S1 * K3, S1 * K1, YO, K5, SSK, turn
Row 13: (CC) K2 * K1, S1, K2 * K1, YO, K6, SSK, turn
Row 15: (MC) K1, S1 * K3, S1 * K1, YO, K7, SSK, P1, K2, turn

Repeat Rows 1 - 16 9 more times. Total of 10 sections.
Bind Off (unless you are grafting or doing the 3-needle BO, then place sts on a holder until you're ready to join the ends)*
Garter Brim

With right side of work facing you, pick up and knit 75 sts from edge. CO 10 sts.

Row 1: (WS) K9, K2tog, turn
Row 2: (RS) K10

To make a snugger fit every 20th row (once every 10 garter ridges) I did Row 1 as: K9, K2tog, slip stitch back to other needle and K2tog one more time, turn.

Finishing

Weave in ends. Sew side seam. Or if you prefer use a 3 needle bind off or graft the stitches. Either fold garter brim in half towards the WS of the hat and whip stitch it to the selvedge edge (as in pink/white ex) or leave it as is to turn up when worn (black/multi). Adorn with pom-pom if desired.

*Thanks Deb for letting me know I left that bit off!
If you have any questions feel free to .