Krampus Hat I am fascinated by Krampus! As an American, I didn't grow up with Krampus being part of my Christmas tradition, but I really love the idea. Krampus, in case you are not familiar, is part of the Christmas celebration tradition in Germany and other Alpine countries. While Santa Clause brings presents to good children, Krampus punishes the naughty ones. He is a demonic type character, and he carries particularly naughty children away in his sack. I like the dark of Krampus bringing balance to the light of Santa Clause. Don't get me wrong, I love Santa too -I LOVE Christmas. I love making gifts for all my loved ones, baking for my friends and family, and bringing light into the darkness of winter. But, I also thought that a little tongue-incheek Christmas hat, with Krampus instead of the traditional reindeer motif, was very much in Order. There are places in the chart where, unfortunately, you need to carry the non-active yarn behind your work for quite a long way. It is very important to give yourself plenty of slack while you're doing this so that your colorwork doesn't end up too tight! If you tend to have problems with this, consider going up a needle size for the colorwork. Uitimately, I think that this inconvenience is quite a small price to pay for having an awesome Krampus hat! I hope you agree.
Materials
75 g (175 yds) YOTH Big_ Sister DK in Portabella (main color) 10 g (23 yds) YOTH Big Sister DK in Sea Salt (contrast color) a yard or so of DK yarn you have lying around in red, yellow, or whatever color you want the eyes tobe 4 mm/US size 6 dpns or 24" circular needle. You'll need to switch to dpns eventually in the decrease rounds stitch marker Gauge 25 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch Terms and abbreviations CO － cast on K -knit P- purl M1 — make one stitch using knitted cast on method K2tog - knit two stitches together
Pattern
CO 128 stitches Join to knit in round, placing stitch marker to mark start of round. Each time you finish a round just slip the marker Ribbing: \*K2, P2, Repeat from \* to end of round continue in K2, P2 ribbing until piece measures 2 inches \*K16, M1, Repeat from \* to end of round. At the end of the round you should have 136 stitches Increase round: K for 6 rounds K from chart. You should be repeating the chart 8 times per round. K 4 rounds Decrease rounds: \*K15, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round K 1 round \*K14, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round K 1 round \*K13, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round K 1 round \*K12, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round K 1 round \*K11, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round K 1 round \*K10, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K9, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K8, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K7, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K6, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K5, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K4, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K3, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K2, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K1, K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round \*K2tog, Repeat from \* to end of round You should end up with 8 stitches on your needles. Cut yarn, leaving a several inch tail. Thread tail through remaining live stitches and secure. Weave in all ends. Block hat lightly. Chart
Main color Contrast color Eye color
