Panelled Pigtail Hat by Caren Weiner Campbell

Panelled Pigtail Hat
Image courtesy Ro Willcott

(Note from Ro: This is a VERY stretchy hat. I am sure that if I tried it on, it would fit me. Very easy pattern to follow, and it is quite appealing to the eye)

Notes:

Because I am a lefty, I have a pet peeve about standard directions (e.g., "is it best if I k2tog as it says here, or should I really psso?"). As a result, here's a very brief glossary:

Rightward Decrease (RD):
Lefties: sl1, k1, psso
Righties: k2tog

Leftward Decrease (LD):
Lefties: k2tog
Righties: sl1, k1, psso

Materials:

16' US size 6 circular needle
size 7 dpns (set of 5, if you can get 'em)
2 oz of worsted weight wool (I used a 4 oz., 350-yd hank of Mountain Colors' Weaver's Wool Quarters in the variegated colorway Northern Lights--and I had enough left over to make a matching set of mittens)
tape measure, markers, scissors, etc.

Gauge:

5 sts and 6 rows to 1" over stockinette with larger needles

Size:

As written, this will fit a medium-sized woman's head; go up ordown in needle size as needed for larger or smaller heads

Pattern:

Using smaller needle, CO 106 st.
Rib K1 P1 for 1.5"

In next rnd, K 1 rnd, increasing 6 st (after every 17th or 18th st).

Change to larger needles.

Rnds 1-3: (P1, K12, P1) 8 times

Rnd 4: (P1, K12, P into F and B of next st) 8 times

Rnds 5-7: (P1, K12, P2) 8 times

Rnd 8: (P1, K12, P1, P into F and B of next st) 8 times

Rnds 9-11: (P1, K12, P3) 8 times

Rnd 12: (P1, K12, P1, P into F and B of next st, P1) 8 times

Rnds 13-15: (P1, K12, P4) 8 times

Rnd 16: (P1, K12, P1, P into F and B of next st, P2) 8 times

Rnds 17-19: (P1, K12, P5) 8 times

Rnd 20: (P1, K12, P2, P into F and B of next st, P2) 8 times

Rnds 21-23: (P1, K12, P6) 8 times

Rnd 24: (P1, K12, P3, P into F and B of next st, P2) 8 times

Rnds 25-27: (P1, K12, P7) 8 times

At this point, you will have 160 st.
Continue as rnd 27 until hat measures 4" from beginning.
Then begin decreasing as follows:

Lefties, working counterclockwise: Sl first st, *K10, leftward dec (using last k st of k panel and first p st of p panel), P6, rightward dec (using last p st of p panel and first k st of k panel), K10, LD, P6, RD* until last panel, when you will K10, LD, P6, and then RD incorporating first (slipped) stitch of round.

Righties, working clockwise: Sl first st, *K10, rightward dec (using last k st of k panel and first p st of p panel), P6, leftward dec (using last p st of p panel and first k st of k panel), K10, RD, P6, LD* until last panel, when you will K10, RD, P6, and then LD incorporating first (slipped) stitch of round.

Next 3 rnds: (K12, P6) X 8

Lefties' decrease rnd: Sl first st, *K10, leftward dec (using last k st of k panel and first p st of p panel), P4, rightward dec (using last p st of p panel and first k st of k panel), K10, LD, P4, RD* until last panel, when you will K10, LD, P4, and then RD incorporating first (slipped) stitch of round.

Righties' decrease rnd: Sl first st, *K10, rightward dec (using last k st of k panel and first p st of p panel), P4, leftward dec (using last p st of p panel and first k st of k panel), K10, RD, P4, LD* until last panel, when you will K10, RD, P4, and then LD incorporating first (slipped) stitch of round.

Next 3 rnds: (K12, P4) X 8

Lefties: Sl first st, *K10, leftward dec (using last k st of k panel and first p st of p panel), P2, rightward dec (using last p st of p panel and first k st of k panel), K10, LD, P2, RD* until last panel, when you will K10, LD, P2, and then RD incorporating first (slipped) stitch of round.

Righties: Sl first st, *K10, rightward dec (using last k st of k panel and first p st of p panel), P2, leftward dec (using last p st of p panel and first k st of k panel), K10, RD, P2, LD* until last panel, when you will K10, RD, P2, and then LD incorporating first (slipped) stitch of round.

Next ONE rnd: (K12, P2) 8 times

Next rnd: (K12, P2tog) 8 times

After this rnd, you will have 104 st

Next rnd: (K12, P1) 8 times

Next rnd: (K5, [K2tog OR sl1, k1, psso, whichever you think looks best], K5, P1) 8 times

Next 3 rnds: (K11, P1) 8 times

Lefties: (RD, K7, LD, P1) 8 times

Righties: (LD, K7, RD, P1) 8 times

Next 3 rnds: (K9, P1) 8 times

Lefties: (RD, K5, LD, P1) 8 times

Righties: (LD, K5, RD, P1) 8 times

Next 3 rnds: (K7, P1) 8 times

Lefties: (RD, K3, LD, P1) 8 times

Righties: (LD, K3, RD, P1) 8 times

Next 3 rnds: (K5, P1) 8 times

Lefties: (RD, K1, LD, P1) 8 times

Righties: (LD, K1, RD, P1) 8 times

Next 3 rnds: (K3, P1) 8 times

You have 32 st

Next rnd: (double dec, P1) 8 times

You have 16 st.

K 1 rnd even.

Next rnd: K2tog all around.

You have 8 st.

K 1 rnd even.

Next rnd: K2tog 5 times.

You will have 3 st remaining.

Knit I-cord for 6" or desired length.

At end, K3tog, then cut end and put through loop. Use this end to attach tassel, pompom, bell, whatever you choose.

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