Slouchy Baby-Cabled Stocking Hat

Slouchy Baby-Cabled Beanie.  To the stars.

All right!  So I had this yarn left over after finishing the Two-Tone Marrowbone Hat, and I wanted to make something that screamed '80s ski bunny, while also being versatile.  And hence this hat was born.  Basically, it's a hat with a little more give than your average beanie, which makes it perfect for multiple styles or big hair, and the pom pom is an optional accent.  I love the way this yarn's variegation knitted up in this pattern, too!

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Pacific (40% Superwash Merino Wool, 60% Acrylic; 213 yards [195 meters]/100 grams); #505 Caribbean blue - one skein

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size 8, one set double-pointed needles (dpns), also in size 8

Hey look!  You can fold the edge up too, if you want!

Notions: Stitch marker, tapestry needle

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4 inches

Cast on 104 stitches, place marker, join in round

Knit in k2, p2 ribbing for 4 inches, and then you're going to switch patterns.  You'll need the following notation to proceed:

rt (right twist): knit two together, leaving stitches on left-hand needle; next, insert right-hand needle from the front between the two stitches just knitted together, and knit the first stitch again. Finally, slip both stitches from left-hand needle together

lt (left twist): with right-hand needle behind left-hand needle, skip one stitch and knit the second stitch in back loop; then insert right-hand needle into the backs of both stitches and k2tog-b (knit two together through back loops, inserting right needle from the right)

Now let's get to it!
Rows 1 & 3: * k2, p2; rep from *
Row 2: * k2, p2, lt, p2 *

Row 4: *rt, p2, k2, p2 *

Repeat rows 1 - 4 six times.  Now it's time to begin the decrease!

Decrease row 1: * k2tog, p2, k2, p2 *

Decrease row 2: * p3, lt, p2 *

You'll probably want to switch to your dpns about now!

Decrease row 3: * p2tog, p1, k2, p2 *

Decrease row 4: * p2, k2, p2 *

Decrease row 5: * p2tog, k2, p2 *

Decrease row 6: slip first purled stitch to 3rd dpn, then * lt, p1, p2tog *

Decrease row 7: * k2, p2tog *

Decrease row 8: * ssk, p1 *

Decrease row 9: * ssk *

Decrease row 10: * k2tog *, knit last stitch

Cut yarn, leaving a 12" tail.  Loop through last 7 stitches and knot.  Tuck in ends.  Finally, make a pom pom, if desired (here's a link to the method I used - mine is about a 2" diameter pom pom).  Attach to hat, and experience the joy of completion.