Gumdrop Beanie

Gumdrop Beanie

As you can see, I'm still having fun with this yarn. But this time, I've decided to employ it for something other than fingerless gloves - a hat! And not just a hat, but a mid-weight, slouchy number with a touch of color detail for extra fun. So let's get started!

The back. Simple, but pretty.

Yarn: Schoeller + Stahl Baby Micro (51% Virgin Wool, 49% Acrylic; 106 yards [97.5 meters]/25 grams); #03 Teal - two skeins (color A) & #05 Lilac - one skein (color B)

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size 3, one 16" circular needle in size 4, one set of double pointed needles, also in size 4

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 24 stitches = 4 inches 

Using color A and your size 3 circular needle, cast on 126 stitches, place marker, and join in round. Work in a * k3, p3 * ribbing until piece measures about 1.25". Then, switch to your size 4 circular needle and begin the pattern, as follows:

Rows 1 & 2: using color A, knit

Row 3: using color B, * k1, slip 1 with yarn in back; rep from *

Row 4: using color B, * p1, slip 1 with yarn in back *

Rows 5 & 6: using color A, knit

Row 7: using color B, * slip 1 with yarn in back, k1 *

Row 8: using color B, * slip 1 with yarn in back, p1 *

Knit rows 1 - 8 twice, and then we'll add another knit row between our slipped stitch rows. Or in terms of the pattern:

Rows 1 - 3: using color A, knit

Row 4: using color B, * k1, slip 1 with yarn in back; rep from *

Row 5: using color B, * p1, slip 1 with yarn in back *

Rows 6 - 8: using color A, knit

Row 9: using color B, * slip 1 with yarn in back, k1 *

Row 10: using color B, * slip 1 with yarn in back, p1 *

Knit rows 1 - 10 twice, and then we'll add two more knit rows between our slipped stitch rows. Or, in pattern notation:

Rows 1 - 5: using color A, knit

Row 6: using color B, * k1, slip 1 with yarn in back; rep from *

Row 7: using color B, * p1, slip 1 with yarn in back *

Rows 8 - 12: using color A, knit

Row 13: using color B, * slip 1 with yarn in back, k1 *

Row 14: using color B, * slip 1 with yarn in back, p1 *

Knit rows 1 - 14 twice, and then we'll begin the decreases. So let's do it!

Row 1: using color A, knit

Row 2: using color A, * k12, k2tog *

Row 3: using color A, knit

Row 4: using color A, * k11, k2tog *

Row 5: using color A, knit

Row 6: using color A, * k10, k2tog *

Row 7: using color A, knit

Row 8: using color A, * k9, k2tog *

Row 9: using color B, * k1, slip 1 with yarn in back *

Row 10: using color B, * p1, slip 1 with yarn in back *

Row 11: using color A, knit

You may want to switch to your dpns about now if you haven't already...

Row 12: using color A, * k8, k2tog *

Row 13: using color A, * k7, k2tog *

Row 14: using color A, * k6, k2tog *

Row 15: using color A, * k5, k2tog *

Row 16: using color A, * k4, k2tog *

Row 17: using color A, * k3, k2tog *

Row 18: using color A, * k2, k2tog *

Row 19: using color A, * k1, k2tog *

Row 20: using color B, * k1, slip 1 with yarn in back *

Row 21: using color B, * p1, slip 1 with yarn in back *

Cut color B yarn tail, since you're done with it

Row 22: using color A, knit

Row 23: using color A, k2tog

Clip color A tail and thread through remaining 9 stitches. Thread to inside of hat and knot. Tuck in ends.