Betty's Ribbed KnitCol Hat

I enjoy the Adriafil yarns. KnitCol is a self-striping, DK weight superwash wool, in colors named after artists: Michelangelo, De'gas, Monet, Gauguin, Picasso, Raffaello, Giotto, Leonardo, Kandinsky, VanGogh.

Here's a simple one-ball project, easy to keep in the purse for a few free minutes. These would make great stocking stuffers.
Enjoy!


Betty's Ribbed KnitCol Hat

Yarn: 1 ball Adriafil KnitCol (or 120 yards DK weight)
Needles: Size 7-16"circular; size 7 double points
Additional supplies: ring markers, tapestry needle

Knitting Instructions: (for ladies' medium hat)
Using the circular needle, cast on 96 stitches
Join into a continuous circle, place a marker to mark beginning of round
Knit around in knit 2 purl 2 ribbing for 4 1/2 inches
Knit even around for 1 round
Purl even around for 2 rounds
On second purl round, place a marker every 16 stitches

Decrease rounds:
Decrease round 1: *Knit to 2 before marker, knit 2 together* around
Decrease round 2: Knit even around

Repeat the 2 decrease rounds until there are 10 stitches between each marker
Now decrease every round (that is, knit 2 together before markers on every round), switching to double-pointed needles when needed

When there are 6 stitches left, cut yarn, leaving about 8 inches
Place yarn end on a tapestry needle
Weave through remaining 6 stitches, pull tight, weave in end on inside of hat
Also weave in yarn end from initial cast on

To make larger or smaller add, adjust initial cast on in multiples of 12
For example:
For smaller hat: Cast on 84 stitches, knit ribbing for 4 inches, and place markers every 14 stitches for decrease rounds
For larger hat: cast on 108 stitches, knit ribbing for 5 inches, and place markers every 18 stitches for decrease rounds

For a smoother, blocked finish, I wet the top only, formed over a bowl, and let dry naturally.