Hat Pattern

December 2008
This is an original knitting pattern which I have created especially for those members of New Horizons bands who live in (or visit!) cold climates.
I hope you enjoy making it.
If you have questions about, or problems with, this pattern, please e-mail me at the address on the "Home" page. Thanks, Diane.

NHB Basic Hat Pattern

You are welcome to create a link to this page, and you may print out a copy of this pattern for your personal or New Horizons Band group use, but please do not republish it anywhere without my permission. Thank you.

Materials:
100 grams (3-1/2 oz.) multi-colored worsted weight yarn (MC), your choice of fiber.
100 grams (3-1/2 oz.) coordinated (but contrasting) solid colored worsted weight yarn (CC), in a fiber similar to MC (ie, wool with wool, acrylic with acrylic, etc.)
16 inch circular knitting needles, size 6 or whatever size is needed to achieve gauge. I have used sizes 3 through 8, depending on the yarn!
Large tapestry needle -- plastic is best.

Gauge: approximately 5 stitches per inch and 6 rows per inch on the body of the hat.
NOTE: This gauge is only a guideline! If you want a smaller or larger hat, feel free to experiment. If you want a longer hat, you can repeat BODY rows 35 - 38 once or twice before knitting the first decrease row.

Finished (unstretched) dimensions: Approximately 9-1/2" high, and approximately 20" around.

MC = Main Color (open squares on chart)
CC = Contrasting Color (filled in squares on chart)

Using circular needles and MC, cast on 84 stitches. Place marker and join, being careful not to twist stitches.

Throughout your knitting, always slip marker to indicate row end. When working pattern, carry (float) unused color behind work. If float is more than 5 stitches long (as in portions of the music note pattern), it is a good idea to catch the unused yarn behind the middle stitch in order to avoid overlong floats.

RIBBING (using MC):
Row 1: Knit 1 Purl 1; repeat across row.
Rows 2 - 10*: Repeat Row 1, moving marker each time to indicate row beginning.
* Rib more or fewer rows depending on the depth of ribbing you desire. For a fold up brim, knit approximately 20 rows.
BODY (use MC for solid colored rows; use CC only where indicated for pattern rows):
Row 1 (increase row): Knit 7, Make 1; repeat across (96 stitches).
Rows 2 - 3: Knit across (MC).
Row 4: Knit 1 CC, Knit 1 MC; repeat across row.
Row 5: Knit 1 MC, Knit 1 CC; repeat across row.
Rows 6-7: Knit across (MC).
1st Pattern (NHB) Rows 8 - 14: Knit in pattern, using MC and CC as indicated on chart, repeating chart 6 times across each row.
Rows 15-16: Knit across (MC).
Rows 17-18: Repeat Rows 4 and 5.
Rows 19-20: Knit across (MC).
2nd Pattern (Music Notes) Rows 21 - 32: Knit in pattern, using MC and CC as indicated on chart, repeating chart 6 times across each row.
Rows 33-34: Knit across (MC).
Rows 35-36: Repeat Rows 4 and 5.
Rows 37-38: Knit across (MC).
(See note in "Gauge" information above.)
Row 39 (decrease row): Knit 2 tog; repeat across row (48 stitches).
Rows 40-41: Knit across (MC).
Row 42 (decrease row): Knit 2 tog; repeat across row (24 stitches).
Rows 43-44: Knit across (MC).
Cut yarn about 15 inches from work (still on needles).
Using a tapestry needle,and starting with next stitch, thread yarn through all stitches on circular needle.
Continue on and thread yarn through all stitches again.
Slide circular needle out of loops.
Pull gently on yarn end until opening is snugly closed.
Secure all yarn ends by weaving them through several stitches on inside of hat.
Block as necessary.

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