Xcellent Adventure Hat

Xcellent Adventure Hat
pictured in small size

What can I say about this hat? Well, I guess I could start by mentioning that I still had a skein of this yarn left over after finishing the Rainbow Rib Mitts, and I thought that the variegation of it might work well for a larger project (since the color sections are on the long side, I thought I would at least get one full round in each color gradient for a hat). And since I also love the look of long slipped stitches with color work, I decided to combine the yarn and slipped stitch pattern for a fun, textured design.

Sizes: Teen/Adult Small (Adult Large)

Yarn: Lang Yarns Novena Color (50% Wool, 30% Alpaca, 20% Nylon; 240 yards [220 meters]/50 grams); #0009 Rosa/Violet/Blue - one to two skeins (two skeins) (side note again: I completed my size small hat with one skein)

A better look at the finish.

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 6; one 16" circular needle in size US 8, and one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 8

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette 

So let's make a hat! Using your size US 6 circular needle, then, cast on 112 (128) stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll do a simple ribbing, as follows:

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

Knit this ribbing row measures roughly 1.75" (2"). Transfer your work to your size US 8 needle and knit three rows around. Then we'll begin the pattern, as follows. Notice that your slipped stitches will seem short by the time you reach rows 11 & 23; simply tug them a bit when you work those rows to make them more pronounced. :)

Rows 1 - 4: * slip 1 stitch with yarn in back (sl1), k6, sl1, k8; rep from *

Row 5: * drop slipped stitch to front of work and slip next 3 stitches purlwise from left needle to right needle, pick up and place dropped stitch on left-hand needle, slip 3 stitches back to left-hand needle, and k4; then, slip next 3 stitches purlwise from left needle to right needle, drop next slipped stitch to front of work, slip the 3 stitches back to your left-hand needle and pick up and place dropped stitch on left hand needle, k12 *

Row 6: * k3, sl2, (bring yarn to front of work, slip last two stitches back to left-hand needle, pass yarn to back of work around stitches, slip two stitches back to right-hand needle) three times, k11 *

Rows 7 - 10: * k3, sl2, k11 *

Row 11: * slip next 3 stitches purlwise from left needle to right needle, drop next slipped stitch to front of work, slip the 3 stitches back to your left-hand needle and pick up and place dropped stitch on left hand needle, k4; then, drop slipped stitch to front of work and slip next 3 stitches purlwise from left needle to right needle, pick up and place dropped stitch on left-hand needle, slip 3 stitches back to left-hand needle, and k12 *

Row 12: knit

Rows 13 - 16: * k8, sl1, k6, sl1 *

Row 17: *k8, drop slipped stitch to front of work and slip next 3 stitches purlwise from left needle to right needle, pick up and place dropped stitch on left-hand needle, slip 3 stitches back to left-hand needle, and k4; then, slip next 3 stitches purlwise from left needle to right needle, drop next slipped stitch to front of work, slip the 3 stitches back to your left-hand needle and pick up and place dropped stitch on left hand needle, k4 *

Row 18: * k11, sl2, (bring yarn to front of work, slip last two stitches back to left-hand needle, pass yarn to back of work around stitches, slip two stitches back to right-hand needle) three times, k3 *

Rows 19 - 22: * k11, sl2, k3 *

Row 23: * k8, slip next 3 stitches purlwise from left needle to right needle, drop next slipped stitch to front of work, slip the 3 stitches back to your left-hand needle and pick up and place dropped stitch on left hand needle, k4; then, drop slipped stitch to front of work and slip next 3 stitches purlwise from left needle to right needle, pick up and place dropped stitch on left-hand needle, slip 3 stitches back to left-hand needle, and k4 *

Row 24: knit

Knit rows 1- 24 twice (knit rows 1 - 24 twice, and then knit rows 1 - 12 again) (side note: this is my repeat recommendation for a hat that fits like a beanie - and, if you're making the smaller size, this is the maximum number of repeats you can complete if you want to finish the hat with one skein. If you have extra yarn or want a slouchier look, though [which I think could be KILLER in this design], go ahead and add more repeats as you see fit). Next, knit two rows around and transfer work to your dpns. Then we'll begin our decrease, as follows:

Decrease Row 1: * k2tog; rep from * (56 stitches (64 stitches))

Decrease Row 2: * k2tog * (28 stitches (32 stitches))

Decrease Row 3: * k2tog * (14 stitches (16 stitches))

Decrease Row 4: * k2tog * (7 stitches (8 stitches))

Complete decrease rows 1 - 4, clip yarn tail, and thread through remaining 7 (8) stitches. Thread yarn tail to inside of hat and knot. Tuck in ends.