Sunday, October 2, 2011

Gyspy Rose Hat

 

Bring some spring flavour to the winter season. This sweet hat is simple to knit up and is adorned with a charming cross-stitched rose motif. It works up quickly with a bulky yarn and makes a unique gift.

Craft: knitting
Skill Level: Rookie-Apprentice-Virtuoso-Genius
Skills: knit, purl, K2tog, cross stitch 

Sizes: adult medium (with instructions to adjust)
Finished Measurements: to fit approx. adult head 21-23"; approx. 9" wide and 8" tall lying flat 

Gauge: 14 sts and 20 rows = 4" in st st on 6 mm needles
Yarn: 100 g, 120 yds (109 m) bulky weight wool; small amounts of worsted weight wool in 7 assorted colours
Suggested Brand: 1 ball Cabin Fever "Northern Lights"; small amounts of Cascade 220 (see below for colour suggestions)

Needles: 5 mm 16" circular, 6 mm 16" circular, 6 mm dpns
Other Materials: tapestry needle, teeny crochet hook (for weaving in ends)


Instructions:

With smaller needles and long-tail method, CO 72 sts (or a multiple of 8).
Join in the rnd being careful not to twist sts. Pm for beg of rnd.

Work K2, P2 rib for 6 rnds (approx. 1" from CO). Change to larger needles.

Knit in st st for at least 22 rows (to accommodate chart) and until hat measures approx. 6" from CO.

Decs:

See instructions below for pixie tip.

Rnd 1: *K6, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 64 sts.
Rnd 2 (and every even rnd): Knit.
Rnd 3: *K5, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 56 sts.
Rnd 5: *K4, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 48 sts.
Rnd 7: *K3, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 40 sts.
Rnd 9: *K2, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 32 sts.
Rnd 11: *K1, K2tog*, rep from * to * to end of rnd. 24 sts.
Rnd 13: K2tog to end of rnd. 16 sts.
Rnd 15: Rep Rnd 13. 8 sts.
Cut yarn and tie off. Weave in ends.

For pixie tip: Work decs to Rnd 15. Do not cut yarn. Knit 2 rnds with no decreases or to desired length. K2tog to 2 sts. Cut yarn and tie off. Weave in ends.

Following the chart, cross stitch the rose above the ribbing.

Cross Stitch Tips: 
  • Work 1 cross stitch for every knitted stitch. 
  • Work one colour at a time, going back and forth across chart, trying to use the least amount of yarn/stitch. 
  • All stitches should cross in the same direction (i.e. the top cross should either run from bottom left to top right or vice versa - it doesn't matter which as long as you are consistent).