Get into the Christmas spirit with this stranded colorwork hat that includes festive prancing reindeer. Worked in the round using the Magic Loop, the hat features four cheery colors that are sure to bring anyone Christmas joy.
Skill Level: Easy
Size: 24” circumference (one size fits all)
Gauge: 6 stitches and 7 rows = 1” in Stockinette stitch
Materials
Yarn: Essentials Merino DK (100% wool; 131 yards [120 meters]/50 grams): #05 Red (1 skein), #42 Green (1 skein), #59 Brown (1 skein), #60 Natural (1 skein)
Needles: US size 3 (3.25 mm) circular needle (32”+)
Notions: Stitch marker, row counter, scissors, yarn needle, pompom maker, large
Pattern
Cast on 144 sts with C1.
Using Magic Loop method, join for working in the round.
Ribbing round: *k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round. Repeat ribbing round 8 times more (9 times total).
Knit 1 round.
Join C2 and C3 and work chart A once. Break C1 and C3. Work chart B once, joining C4 on round 2. Break C2 and C4. Join C3.
Crown Decreases
Rnds 1-2: Knit.
Rnd 3: *k6, k2tog, repeat from * around. (126 sts remain)
Rnds 4-5: Knit.
Rnd 6: *k5, k2tog, repeat from * around. (108 sts remain)
Rnds 7-8: Knit.
Rnd 9: *k4, k2tog, repeat from * around. (90 sts remain)
Rnds 10-11: Knit.
Rnd 12: *k3, k2tog, repeat from * around. (72 sts remain)
Rnd 13-14: Knit
Rnd 15: *k2, k2tog, repeat from * around. (54 sts remain)
Rnd 16: Knit
Rnd 17: *k1, k2tog, repeat from * around. (36 sts remain)
Rnd 18: Knit
Rnd 19: K2tog around. (18 sts remain)
Rnd 20: K2tog around. (9 sts remain.)
Break yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Using yarn needle, draw tail through remaining 9 sts and cinch tightly to close.
Finishing
Weave in yarn ends. Block lightly using steam to set stitches. Create pompom with C1 and attach to top of crown. 