The Shorty Compliment (AKA: The Not Quite A Hat Hat)

I keep checking YarnMarket for Mission Falls 1824 yarn in Ink and Cornflower, but they remain out of stock. So here is the not quite a hat hat, sitting pretty on my computer speaker, with Panda keeping watch.

Even though I haven't finished it completely, I will post the pattern here. It's quite easy, and you will be able to easily adapt it to fit any size head. Just adjust the number of stitches you cast on based on gauge. For example, my gauge for the hat is 5 stitches and 8 rounds in slip stitch pattern = one 1 inch (or 2.5cm for those of the metric persuasion). My head size is 23 inches. So 5 X 23 = 115. HOWEVER, I cast on 110 stitches because the slip stitch pattern is loose and stretchy. How did I decide to go with 110? Well, no scientific or mathematical reason really... it just seemed like the right amount!

So, then, my suggestion would be to decrease (or increase) by 4 stitches for each inch (or 2.5 cms) for your cast on. Got a 22 inch head? Cast on 106 stitches. 20 inch head? Then it's 100 cast on stitches. (You need an even number of stitches, which I why I am giving the 4. Again, it's a stretchy hat, but feel free to go with whatever you want!)

Also, if you want a shorter hat, then when working the decreases, decrease every 4th stitch.

The Shorty Compliment

Materials: 1 ball Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Ink (MC)

1 ball Mission Falls 1824 Wool in Cornflower (CC)

Size US 8 (5mm) double pointed needles (recommend using 5 dpn's)

Tapestry needle

Gauge: 5 stitches & 8 rounds = 1 inch

Size: Fits a 23 inch brainiac cranium, or a Ladies Large

Key: K = knit

Sl 1 = slip one stitch

Sl 1 PW = slip one stitch purlwise

WYIF = with yarn in front

K2tog = knit two stitches together (decrease)

Pattern

With MC, cast on 110 stitches. Spread cast on stitches evenly among four needles. (Here's a trick: start off with a US 8 [5 mm] circular needle in a 12 or 16 inch length. When the circular gets too long once you begin decreasing, switch to the dpns.)

Round 1: Knit

Round 2: *K1, Sl 1 PW WYIF, repeat from *

Round 3: *Sl1 PW WYIF, K1, repeat from *

Repeat round 2 & 3 for 5 more rounds.

Change to CC

Round 9: Knit

Round 10: Knit

Round 11: *K1, Sl 1, repeat from *

Round 12: Slip the slipped stitches, knit the knit stitches

Repeat Rounds 9 - 12 five more times.

Change to MC

Round 33: Knit

Round 34: Knit

Round 35: *K1, Sl 1, repeat from *

Round 36: Slip the slipped stitches, knit the knit stitches

Repeat Rounds 33 - 36 two more times

Round 45: Knit

Round 46: NOW DECREASING WILL BEGIN. *K5, K2tog, repeat from*

Round 47: NO DECREASES, work as for round 11

Round 48: Work as for round 12 but decreasing with a K2tog every 5th stitch

Repeat Rounds 45 - 48 three more times

Change to CC

Round 60: Work as for Round 45

Round 61: Work as for Round 46

Round 62: Work as for Round 47

Round 63: Work as for Round 48

Repeat this pattern until one stitch left on needle. Take last stitch off needle, tie off as if binding off last stitch. Pull yarn through the top center to inside the hat.

Weave in your ends.

Viola!