Automobile Stitch Hat
This simple ear flap hat was inspired by the book "Cro-Knitting" by Bernhard Ulmann & Co. The book is available for reading online (http://archive.org/details/croknittingooulma), or you could try to order a printed version (reprint) from an online book store. One of the stitch patterns described in this book is the "automobile stitch" that is featured in this pattern. You will start knitting the ear flaps, which are then joined to allow the rest of the hat to be cro-knit in the round.
Material: about 100 m (110 yds) of bulky yarn Tools: 6 mm (size 10) knitting needles and 6 mm (size J) crochet hook, interchangeable circular, (6 mm DPNs if you're not a magic looper) Gauge: 12 sts x 17 rows to 10 cm x 10 cm (4" x 4") Finished size: to fit average woman's head (57 cm [22.5"] circumference)
Abbreviations:
Co: cast on M1R: Right leaning increase - insert left hand needle under strand of yarn between last and next stitch from back to front, knit trough front loop. M1L: Left leaning increase - insert left hand needle under strand of yarn between last and next stitch from front to back, knit through back loop. k2tog: knit next two stitches together (decrease 1) p2tog: purl next two stitches together (decrease 1) yo: yarn over
Automobile stitch:
1st stitch in round: insert hook in 1st stitch (st) on knitting needle (as if to knit), yo, pull through st, yo, insert hook in same st, yo, pull through st, slip st from needle, yo, insert hook in next st, yo, pull through all five stitches on hook, ch1
all other stitches: yo, insert hook in next stitch, yo, pull through st, yo, insert hook in next stitch, yo, pull through all five stitches on hook, ch1 Earflaps With knitting needles cast on 4 stitches (l used long tail cast on) R1: k1, p2, k1 R2: k1, M1R, k to last st, M1L, k1 R3 (and all uneven rows): k1, p to last st, k1 repeat R2/3 until you've got 12 sts on your needle R10: k across R12: k1, M1R, k to last, M1L, k1 R14 & 16: k across R18: k1, M1R, k to last st, M1L, k1 -> 16 sts total! R19: k1, p to last st, k1, cut yarn Make a 2nd earflap, but do not cut yarn after row 19! I left my first earflap on the needles while I made the second one. If you do the same, just make sure that both flaps are facing the same direction before you go on. Hat Knit across 2nd earflap, CO 24 sts (l used cable cast on), knit across 1st earflap, C0 12 sts, join in round. You should now have 68 stitches on your needle. Rnd 1: k16, p24, k16, p12 Rnd 2: knit Rnd 3: k16, p24, k16, p12 Rnd 4: knit Rnd 5: purl Switch to crochet hook, do not attach to cable just yet. Rnd 6: Automobile stitch around, sl st into first cluster to join. You've got 1 loop on your hook after thisround! Attach crochet hook to cable (instead of right hand needle) Rnd 7: pick up stitches through BLO, starting with 2nd stitch. You should again have 68 stitches on your needle after this round. Rnd 8: knit Hook → needle Rnd 9: purl Rnd 10- 13: Repeat Rnd 6 - 9 Rnd 14- 15: Repeat Rnd 6 - 7 Rnd 16 - 19: knit Rnd 20: purl Rnd 21: knit Now start decreasing -I used magic loop, but you may want to switch to DPNs if you're more comfortablewith that method: Rnd 22: (k15, k2tog) around Rnd 23: knit Rnd 24: (k6, k2tog) around Rnd 25: purl Rnd 26: (k5, k2tog) around Rnd 27: knit Rnd 28: (k4, k2tog) around Rnd 29: knit Rnd 30: (p3, p2tog) around Rnd 31: knit Rnd 32: (k2, k2tog) around Rnd 33: knit Rnd 34: (k1, k2tog) around Rnd 35: knit Rnd 36: k2tog around Rnd 37: k2tog around → 4 stitches remaining! cut yarn, pull through remaining 4 sts, weave in ends. Enjoy your new hat!
