Stiall

In honor of VK Live! Chicago 2013 and Knitche, of Downers Grove, Illinois, whose booth will be featuring only Shibui yarns, I have a new design . . .

Stiall, a simple striped hat

Skills Needed to Successfully Complete This Pattern:

cast on, knit, purl, use marker, k2tog decrease, make pompom (optional).

DIMENSIONS

20” around by 9” tall

Will stretch to fit most adults & teens

MATERIALS

Shibui Merino Alpaca (50% baby alpaca, 50% merino alpaca, 131 yds/120 m per 100 g skein), 1 skein each of 2 colors

US #8/4.5 mm and US #6/3.75 mm 16” circular needles, or size to match gauge

US #8/4.5 mm double-pointed needles (OR substitute magic loop or 2 circulars techniques)

1 stitch marker

tapestry needle

pompom maker (optional)

GAUGE:  20 sts and 24 rows over 4” (Row gauge exact match not required.)

PATTERN STITCHES

Stripe Pattern:  *work 3 rounds in yarn B, work 3 rounds in yarn A; repeat from * to top of hat.

Hint:  To avoid a ‘stair stepped’ appearance at the color changes, make a jog-less join:  at the first stitch of the round to be knit in the new color, with the right needle, lift the stitch immediately below the first stitch on the left needle and place it on the needle alongside the first stitch.  Knit both together in new color.  Move marker indicating the beginning of round to behind this stitch.  Yes, the beginning of the round will move one stitch over at each color change, but that will not impact the construction of the hat.

  

D I R E C T I O N S

With smaller needle and yarn A, cast on 100 sts.  Place marker and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.  Begin ribbing:

Ribbing:  *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of round. 

Continue in ribbing for 1¼”.  At beginning of next round, change to larger needle and knit one round.  Change to yarn B and begin Stripe Pattern.  Continue in stockinette stitch (knit all stitches) until hat measures 8½”, then begin decreasing:

Decrease row 1:  *k2, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round – 75 sts.

Decrease row 2:  knit.

Decrease row 3:  *k1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round – 50 sts.

Decrease row 4:  knit.

Decrease row 5:  *k2tog; repeat from * to end of round – 25 sts.

Decrease row 6:  knit.

Decrease row 7:  *k2tog; repeat from * to last st, k1 – 13 sts.

FINISHING

Weave in ends.  Block to shape.  Optional:  make 2½” pompom and attach to top of hat.

ABBREVIATIONS K (or k): knit K2tog: knit 2 sts together (a decrease) P (or p): purl St(s): stitch(es)