DIY Network

Rasta Hat What's warm and stylish? This great hat! From "Knitty Gritty" episode DKNG-610

Guest Shannita Williams-Alleyne creates a great Rastafarian-inspired hat with an optional brim.

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This hat can be made without or with a brim (see figure C below).

You'll be right in fashion with this beautiful knit cap.

Materials:
size 6 16-inch circular needle
size 8 16-inch circular needle
set of size 8 double-pointed needles
one Chibi tapestry/yarn needle) for weaving in ends
stitch markers
1mm rainbow elastic to match main yarn color - optional
yarn
   1 skein of Lorna’s Laces Shepherd Worsted (or other worsted weight yarn in main color)
   1 skein of contrasting color for stripe (or 2 skeins of the main color if you are not striping the hat (as shown here)

Gauge
4.5-4.75 stitches per inch
18 stitches=4 inches

Stitches
K = knit
P = purl
M1 = Make 1 increase
YO = yarn over
K2tog = Knit 2 together
PM = Place Marker

Using smaller circular needle, cast on 96 stitches.

Place marker, join to create circle being careful not to twist stitches.

Figure A

Knit in K1P1 rib for 1.5 inches (figure A). Optional - carry one strand of 1mm rainbow elastic along with yarn for ribbed rows only. This will help keep ribbing tighter and help the hat retain elasticity with wear.

Next round: Switch to larger circular needles and *K2, M1, repeat from * to end of round (144 stitches)
Then knit every round until body of hat measures 4 inches and work eyelet rows as follows:

Eyelet Rounds:
*YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end of row.
Knit 2 rounds.

*YO, K2tog, repeat from * around.

Figure B

Continue knitting in the round until hat measures 8-10 inches or length necessary to cover hair (figure B) from cast on row.

Next round: *K24, PM, repeat to last 24 stitches, K24 - 6 markers total will be on needles.

Begin decrease rounds as follow (remember to change to DPN when stitches get too tight to use circular needles):
Round 1: *SSK, K20, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: *SSK, K18, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: *SSK, K16, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 6: Knit
Round 7: *SSK, K14, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 8: Knit
Round 9: *SSK, K12, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 10: Knit
Round 11: *SSK, K10, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 12: Knit
Round 13: *SSK, K8, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 14: Knit
Round 15: *SSK, K6, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 16: Knit
Round 17: *SSK, K4, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 18: Knit
Round 19: *SSK, K2, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 20: Knit
Round 21: *SSK, K2tog, slip marker, repeat from * around
Round 22: Knit

Cut 6-inch tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn thru remaining stitches, pull to tighten. Weave in ends.

Figure C

Brim (figure C)
Row 1: pick up and knit the 12 (14, 16) center sts (note: pick up one st in each cast on st)
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K2, M1, PM, K8, (10, 12), PM, knit 2 and pick up next 2 sts from cast on row knitwise
Row 4: Purl to end, pick up one more sts from cast on row purlwise
Row 5: K to marker, M1, Slip marker, K8 (10,12) center sts, slip marker, M1, knit to end, pick up next 2 sts from cast on row knitwise
Row 6: Purl to end, pick up 2 more sts from cast on row purlwise
Repeat rows 5 and 6 until brim measures 2" from center

Next row: (RS) Purl 1 row (turning row)

Next row: (WS) BO first two stitches, but slip first stitch before binding off rather than purling it. Purl to end.

Next row: (RS) BO first two stitches, slipping first stitch before BO instead of knitting it. Knit to 2 stitches before marker, SSK, Slip marker, knit next 8 (10, 12) stitches, slip marker, K2tog knit to end.

Repeat last 2 rows until only 12 (14, 16) stitches remain.

BO 21 (14,16) remaining stitches.

Notes

• Eyelet rows are optional. They can be replaced with any stitch pattern that fits the stitch count or omitted altogether. Additionally, stripes made with a contrasting color can be added at this point.
  
• Made shorter and without brim, this can be made with one skein. Longer hat to accommodate longer hair with or without brim uses 1.5 skeins.
  
• Here are several ways to make an almost invisible join when knitting in the round:

1. Pass the first stitch on the right needle over the last stitch on the left needle and then begin knitting.
   
2. Cast on one extra stitch, being careful not to twist your stitches slip the first cast on stitch to the right needle and pass the last cast on stitch over it, then move it back to the left hand needle. Then put the tips of the needles close together and pull on your yarn and it should close the circle. Then, just begin knitting.
   
3. Cast on required number of stitches, knit the first 2 rows flat (in pattern) and then begin knitting in the round.
   
4. Cast on one extra stitch and knit the last stitch and first stitch together.

RESOURCES :
Stitch 'n Bitch Nation
Author: Debbie Stoller
Publisher: Workman Publishing Company (2002)
ISBN: 0761135901

yarn - Lorna's Laces
Website: www.lornaslaces.net