XOXO Beanie

XOXO Beanie

First, the good news: the new head is here! She's a bit sullen and weird looking, but she'll do. I think I'll call her Hedwig (GET IT!!?!?!?!?!). Next, the even better news: I'm thinking about buying her a wig or two, just for funsies. I lined this hat with one of my husband's biking beanies to highlight the lace portion for the photos (my first attempt at lining it with a pair of my six year old's underwear was a total bust), but I think some hair might be nice. Plus, if I get her a wig I can borrow it the next time I'm antsy for a makeover.

What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the hat! I've been eyeing this cable pattern for some time now, and finally decided that it would look nice with some lace accents. It also took me about a month to finish the thing with the move and all, so I'm glad I actually completed it. Furthermore, I managed to squeak out the small size with just one skein of the Superwash Sport, although you'll definitely need two if you're making the larger size. Oh my goodness, I just keep typing! Let's get to the hat already.

Sizes: adult small (adult medium/large)

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 136 yards [125 meters]/50 grams); #859 Lake Chelan Heather - one to two skeins (two skeins)

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 5, one 16" circular needle in size US 6, one cable needle (cn) or double pointed needle for cabling, and one set of double pointed needles (dpn), also in size US 6

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette on size US 6 needles

So let's make a hat! Using your size US 5 circular needle, then, cast on 108 (120) stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll work our ribbing as follows for both sizes:

Ribbing Row: * k1, p2, k1; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row until hat measures roughly 1.5" (2"). Transfer work to your size US 6 circular needle. Then, and we'll begin the main pattern, which incorporates the Oxox Cable from page 255 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns and some lace strips. To knit it, you'll need to know these definitions:

fc (front cross): transfer next 2 stitches to cn and hold in front, k2, k2 from cn

bc (back cross): transfer next 2 stitches to cn and hold in back, k2, k2 from cn

And now that that's covered, we'll continue as follows for both sizes:

Row 1: knit

Row 2: * k8, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo *

Row 3: knit

Row 4: * bc, fc, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo *

Row 5: knit

Row 6: * k8, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo *

Row 7: knit

Row 8: * fc, bc, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo *

Rows 9 - 12: repeat rows 5 - 8

Rows 13 - 16: repeat rows 1 - 4

Knit rows 1 - 16 twice and then knit rows 1 - 9 once more (both sizes, although you could add one more set of 16 rows to either size if you'd like a slouchier look). Now, we'll begin our decreases, which will go as follows:

Decrease Row 1: * k2, k2tog, ssk, k2, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo * (90 stitches (100 stitches))

Decrease Row 2: knit

You will want to switch to your dpns about now...

Decrease Row 3: * slip next two stitches to cn and hold in front, k1, then, k2tog from cn; slip next stitch to cn and hold in back, ssk, k1 from cn, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo * (72 stitches (80 stitches))

Decrease Row 4: knit

Decrease Row 5:* k2tog, ssk, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo * (54 stitches (60 stitches))

Decrease Row 6: knit

Decrease Row 7: * k2tog, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo * (45 stitches (50 stitches))

Decrease Row 8: * k1, k2tog, ssk * (27 stitches (30 stitches))

Decrease Row 9: * ssk, k1 * (18 stitches (20 stitches))

Decrease Row 10: * ssk * (9 stitches (10 stitches))

Clip yarn tail and, using tapestry needle, thread through final 9 (10) stitches. Pull tight, thread to inside of hat, and knot. Tuck in ends. Place on creepy mannequin head or, if you're feeling saucy, your own.