The Nikhat Hat - Knitting Pattern

So, I'm finally getting around to posting this to my knitting/cooking/everything else blog. For those who were waiting - hope it was worth the wait!

This pattern works over 12 stitches, so when sizing for the hat you'll want to take that into consideration when picking your number of stitches to cast on. I've made this hat 3 times in 3 size, and the small, medium and large seem to work out to around 72 stitches cast on for small, 84 for medium and 96 for large. Of course, you'll want to check your gauge and your yarn type when making this decision as well.

On smaller circular needles (size 7 or 8), cast on your stitches for the size hat you want to make.
Create a 1-1/2 inch bottom band (or size to your liking) by knitting about 12 rows in garter stitch. Decrease or increase the number of rows for a smaller or wider band.

Now start working the hat pattern (switch to larger sized needles - I used 10-1/2 circular)
Row 1: K2, *(yo, k2tog) 4 times, K4. Repeat from * to last 2 stitches, end K2.
Row 2: K2, *P8, K4. Repeat from * to last 2 stitches, end K2.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the hat measures about an inch smaller than the final size of the hat you want to make. My gauge worked out to about 8 inches of pattern.

Switch back to the smaller needles and knit 2 rows in garter stitch.

Begin decreasing by 12 stitches in knit. For 96 stitches, I did the following:

• *K6, K2tog. Repeat from * to end (84 stitches)
• *K5, K2tog. Repeat from * to end (72 stitches)
• *K4, K2tog. Repeat from * to end (60 stitches)
• *K3, K2tog. Repeat from * to end (48 stitches)
• *K2, K2tog. Repeat from * to end (36 stitches)
• *K1, K2tog. Repeat from * to end (24 stitches)
• *K2tog. Repeat from * to end (12 stitches)
• *K2tog. Repeat from * to end (6 stitches)

Cut yarn and leave a long tail (about 24 inches or longer). Pull the yarn through the remaining stitches on the needle, then remove the needle and pull the loose yarn tight.

Flip the hat inside out, and using the long tail, sew the side together from the top down.

*Note: I actually changed the way I decreased for each hat relying on eyeing the shape of the hat to determine how fast to decrease. For one hat I had to decrease then straight knit, decrease, straight knit. For another hat I was able to decrease on each row. How you decide to do it will depend on how you think the hat looks.

Have fun with it!