Bippity Boppity Beanie

Bippity Boppity Beanie

There are times when I feel like a perfectly ordinary adult woman going about her life in a perfectly ordinary fashion. Then I get terrible ideas (such as naming this hat the Bippity Boppity Beanie) and I JUST CAN'T LET THEM GO. Then it's clear that something went wrong somewhere. I blame my mother. 

Something I can't blame her for, however, is how magical this hat turned out (hence the name). Made with a basic striped knit and purl design, this hat's texture is both incredibly easy to achieve and optical illusion-tastic. So if you're ready to knit up a little magic, I highly recommend this beanie. Yes, it's unfortunate that you won't be able to tell your friends the name of the pattern out of sheer embarrassment. But perhaps you can just email them a link.*

* Double bonus: I made this hat with the leftovers from the Another Brick Cowl. Just in case you're bundle knitting for the holidays!

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Cascade 220 Sport (100% Peruvian Highland Wool; 164 yards [150 meters]/50 grams); #8891 Cyan Blue - one skein (color A) & #9421 Blue Hawaii - one skein (color B)

A closer look. The pattern manages to give an
appearance of vertical color stripes despite the
fact they're horizontal.

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 6, one 16" circular needle in size US 5, and one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 6

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches on size 6 needles 

So let's make a hat! First, then, using your size 5 needle and your color A yarn, cast on 114 stitches, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll work the following ribbing row:

Ribbing Row: using color A, * k3, p3; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row until piece measures roughly 2". Transfer work to your size 6 needle and knit one transition row, as follows:

Transition Row: using color A, knit

Knit this row once, and then we'll switch to our main pattern, which is just a simple knit and purl combination, as I've given below:

Row 1: using color B, knit

Row 2: using color B, * k3, p3 *

Row 3: using color A, knit

Row 4: using color A, * p3, k3 *

Knit rows 1 - 4 until piece measures roughly 8" and you've just finished row 3 of the pattern (you could also add up to 2 extra inches for a slouchier appearance). Then we'll work our decrease, as follows. Note that you can clip the tail of your color B yarn, since you're done with it!

Decrease Row 1: using color A, * k4, k2tog * (95 stitches)

You're going to want to switch to your dpns now, since this decrease is a quickie!

Decrease Row 2: using color A, * k3, k2tog * (76 stitches)

Decrease Row 3: using color A, * k2, k2tog * (57 stitches)

Decrease Row 4: using color A, * k1, k2tog * (38 stitches)

Decrease Row 5: using color A, * k2tog * (19 stitches)

Decrease Row 6: using color A, k1, * k2tog * (10 stitches) 

Clip yarn and thread tail through remaining 10 stitches. Pull tight, thread to inside of hat, and knot. Tuck in ends. Finally, place on head and let the magic begin.