~ Everyone's Favorite Hat ~

Today, I want to share with you my new favorite basic hat pattern.

It is a simple pattern that takes just under 3 hours to knit up.

I've been having so much fun playing with different yarns, stripes, ribbed brim, garter brim..

There is so much you can do with it.

As I cast on for another, my son gently said, "Mama, I think I have enough hats this Winter."

It is certainly an addictive, mindless knitting project.

At the urging of many friends over on Facebook,

I decided to put it up in an etsy shop as a custom order.

Go over & take a peek if you'd like.

Or, better yet, pull out the needles & give it a try.

The decreases create a really fun spiral on the top.

If you make one, send me a link to your photos.

I'd love to see what you've done with this pattern.

{ Everybody's Favorite Hat }

Sizes: Infant (Youth, Adult)

Yarn: 2-50 g balls of Dale of Norway's "Ara" 100% virgin wool. {or play with yarn of your choice}
Needles: One set of size 10 1/2 US (6.5mm) double-pointed needles, or the size necessary to obtain the correct gauge, below. {I actually use circular needles for the entire project}

Gauge: 13 stitches and 18 rows = 4"/10cm in stockinette stitch
Abbreviations: CO = cast on; K = knit; K2tog = knit 2 stitches together; P = purl; rd(s) = rounds; rep = repeat; st(s) = stitches.

Hat Instructions:
CO 60 (66, 72) sts distributed on 4 double-pointed needles. Place marker. Taking care not to twist CO sts, join work circularly and P1 rd, K1 rd, P1 rd to form garter st ridge. Work in stockinette st (K all sts circularly) until work measures 3 1/2 ( 4, 4 1/2)" from beginning.

Top Shaping:
Adult size only: *K 10 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 2 rds.
Adult and youth sizes only: *K 9 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 2 rds.

All sizes:
*K 8 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 2 rds.
*K 7 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 1 rd.
*K 6 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 1 rd.
*K 5 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end. K 1 rd.
*K 4 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end.
*K 3 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end.
*K 2 sts, K2tog, rep from * to end.
*K 1 st, K2tog, rep from * to end.
*K2tog, rep from * until only a few sts are left on needles.

Break off yarn, pull yarn through remaining sts, gather sts tightly together.

Happy Knitting!!!