Deliphant
Deliphant is a stranded colourwork delight! Delicate elephants promenade around the hat, under a softly gathered crown, finished off with a delicious doughnut top-piece The hat is knit in the round, with the yarn carried and stranded Fair Isle style for the elephant motif (charted). Edited and tested by: Deann Wilson
Yarn
Sirdar Country Style 4 ply (45% acrylic, 40% nylon, 15% wool). Uses 90.4 metres/98.8 yards (20g) of each of the following shades: A: Cream (0411) B: Parchment (0404) C: Gala Pink (0542) D: Silver Cloud (0434) Gauge: 28 sts and 36 rows t0 10cm x 10cm (4 inches) in stockinette/stocking stitch using 3.25mm (US size 3) needles (or size needed to obtain gauge). Size: One size to fit head approximately 56cm/20-22 inches. Finished circumference: approximately 21 inches. Needles: 40cm (16 inch) circular needles (or long length if using magic loop method), size 3mm (US size 21/2) and 3.25mm (US size 3). Set of 3mm (US size 21/2) double-pointed needles for working the top of the hat and making the icord trim.
Abbreviations
k: knit sl1: slip one stitch k2tog: knit two stitches together k3tog: knit three stitches together psso: pass slipped stitch over kfb: knit into the front and back of the stitch (increase)
Instructions
Using smaller circular needle cast on 16o sts in colour A. Join round, making sure the round is not twisted. Place marker for the start of the round.
Knit for 20 rounds.
Break off colour A and join in colour B, change to larger needle. Work the next 38 rounds from the colour chart, in stocking/stockinette stitch (knit every round), using colours B, C and D. There are 8 repeats of the chart around the hat. Follow the chart from the bottom up, in your working direction.
Note: Extra rounds in colour B may be added at this point, after finishing chart and before crown shaping, if you wish to increase the height of the hat.
Crown Shaping (continue in colour B)
Decrease round 1: (sl1, k1, psso, k11, k2tog, k1) repeat to end of rnd. 140 sts. Knit 3 rounds Decrease round 2: (sl1, k1, psso, k9, k2tog, k1) repeat to end of rnd. 120 sts Knit 3 rounds Decrease round 3: (sl1, k1, psso, k7, k2tog, k1) repeat to end of rnd.100 sts Knit 3 rounds Decrease round 4: (sl1, k1, psso, k5, k2tog, k1) repeat to end of rnd. 80 sts Knit 3 rounds Decrease round 5: (sl1, k1, psso, k3, k2tog, k1) repeat to end of rnd. 60 sts Knit 3 rounds Decrease round 6: k1, k2tog, (k3tog) to end of rnd. 21 sts Knit 1 round Work top doughnut Break off B, leaving a long tail for closing up the hat later on. Change to A. Round 1: knit Round 2: kfb in every stitch, 42 sts Knit 15 rounds Bind off loosely. Thread colour B yarn tail onto a tapestry needle and run yarn through the stitches of the last decrease round. Work the thread to the wrong side, draw up tightly to form the gathers and fasten off to close up the hat. Weave in ends.
Make I-cord trim
Using two 3mm dpns, cast on 2 sts in colour C. Step 1: Knit these 2 sts, do not turn, slide sts to other end of dpn (yarn should now be at the “wrong' side of the sts) Step 2: Knit these 2 sts, do not not turn,slide to end of dpn. Repeat steps 1 and 2 until work measures 12 cm (5 3/4 inches). Leaving the sts on the needle, break off C and join in colour D. Work another 12 cm (5 3/4 inches) of I-cord in colour D and bind off. Tie a knot at each end of the cord and tie firmly into place underneath the top doughnut, securing with a few stitches if required.
