Basic Hat

This is a very basic ribbed hat. Hats are a great first project because they allow you to practice decreases.

• Yarn: Either a single strand of sport weight yarn, or a strand each of fingering weight and lace weight (held double).
• Measurements: 52cm (relaxed) in circumference, 29cm in length
• Gauge: 3 st x 3.5rnds = 1sq cm
• Needles: US Size 2 (or size needed to obtain gauge) circular needles + DPNS

Terms:

• CO: Cast On
• K1: Knit one
• P1: Purl one
• pm: Place marker
• sm: Slip marker
• k2togtbl: Knit two together through the back loop

Method:

CO 156
Join for working in the round:

Once you finish casting on, make sure the stitches are not twisted on the needles before placing a marker on the needle with the last stitch you cast on. Make a circle with your needles, the first stitch on the left-hand needle and the last stitch on the right-hand needle. Knit the first stitch you cast on, joining the row of stitches into a ring. You will knit in a continuous spiral from right to left.

• -*K1, P1* to the marker
• Repeat this round until the work measures about 20cm
• -*(K1, P1)x13, pm* 5 times. You should have 5 sections with 26 stitches in each

1. *k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
2. *K1, P1* around
   Repeat these 2 rounds 4 times. (-24st, 132 st remain).
   In the following section, switch to the DPNS whenever things get too tight on the circular needle.
   
3. *k2togtbl, work 7, k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
4. *K1, P1* around (120st)
5. *k2togtbl, work 6, k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
6. *K1, P1* around (108st)
7. *k2togtbl, work 5, k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
8. *K1, P1* around (96st)
9. *k2togtbl, work 4, k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
10. *K1, P1* around (84st)
11. *k2togtbl, work 3, k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
12. *K1, P1* around (72st)
13. *k2togtbl, work 2, k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
14. *K1, P1* around (60st)
15. *k2togtbl, work 2, k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
16. *K1, P1* around (48st)
17. *k2togtbl, work 1, k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
18. *K1, P1* around (36st)
19. *k2togtbl, k2togtbl, work to marker, sm* around
20. *K1, P1* around (24st)
21. *k2togtbl, k1*, sm* around (18st)

Break the yarn, leaving an 8 inch tail. Use a crochet hook or tapestry needle to pull the tail through the remaining loops, taking them off the needles as you go. Block and weave in the tail.