knitting in the dark

It was a few months ago now, but I started this hat on a Thursday evening and gave it as a gift that Saturday, so I’m calling the pattern Thursday. Not a terribly creative name, but neither is the hat. This hat was made for a man who likes things masculine and simple. The pattern is plain enough that a regular man (one that wouldn’t want anyone commenting on his hand-knit items) might actually wear it with some regularity. And a person could use a less fuzzy yarn to make it even more manly if necessary.

And since it’s only Tuesday you have plenty of time to get to the yarn store or do some stash-searching and knit one of these as a Valentine’s gift…

>>Thursday:

yarn: Blue Sky Alpacas Suri Merino, less than one skein (approx. 95 yards for 5″ version)
needles: set of 3.5mm dpns
gauge: 22 stitches and 29 rows over 4″ in un-stretched 3×1 rib pattern

Sized to fit most average heads. My head is on the larger side and the recipient’s head is on the smaller side and it fit each of us with equal comfort. Thank you to ribbing.

K = knit
P = purl
SSK = slip 1 knitwise, slip another knitwise, knit those 2 slipped stitches together through back loop
K2TOG = knit 2 together

>>Main Portion:

Loosely cast on 100 sts (I used a long-tail cast on because I like the border it makes, but you could use a tubular cast on for increased stretch). Divide between needles and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

*K2, P1, K1, repeat from * 24 times to end of round.

Repeat this round until 5″ from cast on edge (or 6″ for a hat that covers ears more fully).

>>Decrease Rounds:

1: *K1, SSK, K3, P1, K3, P1, K3, P1, K3, K2TOG, repeat from * until end of round. (90 sts remain)
2 and all even rounds through 18: follow stitches as set in previous row - K the knit stitches and decreases, P the purl stitches.
3: *K1, SSK, K2, P1, K3, P1, K3, P1, K2, K2TOG, repeat from * until end of round. (80 sts remain)
5: *K1, SSK, K1, P1, K3, P1, K3, P1, K1, K2TOG, repeat from * until end of round. (70 sts remain)
7: *K1, SSK, P1, K3, P1, K3, P1, K2TOG, repeat from * until end of round. (60 sts remain)
9: *K1, SSK, K3, P1, K3, K2TOG, repeat from * until end of round. (50 sts remain)
11: *K1, SSK, K2, P1, K2, K2TOG, repeat from * until end of round. (40 sts remain)
13: *K1, SSK, K1, P1, K1, K2TOG, repeat from * until end of round. (30 sts remain)
15: *K1, SSK, P1, K2TOG, repeat from * until end of round. (20 sts remain)
17: K1, place marker to designate new start of round, *SSK, repeat from * until end of round (at marker). (10 sts remain)
19: *SSK, repeat from * until end of round. (5 sts remain)
20: cut yarn with a long tail remaining, thread through remaining five stitches and remove from needles, secure.

>>Weave in ends and block if desired.

(my apologies for the photos - I didn’t take a proper set before gifting… I’m sure I’ll make a second at some point and will try to remember to update)