Christmas Elf Hat AKA
Penny's Christmas Hat by Tina Johnston
Yarn: 100 grams worsted weight yarn in white. 100 grams worsted weight yarn in Christmas red Needles: Size 6 U. S. (4.00 mm) Notions: Scissors, 4 stitch markers, stitch holder, cable hook. Makes sizes Small (Medium, Large) Cast on: 76 (80, 84) Stiches. Rounds 1-10: K1, P1 around to create 1x1 ribbing. Round 11: Change to red yarn. K38 (40,42), PM, K3, PM, K8, PM, K3 PM, K10 (12,14) PM, K3, PM, K8, PM, K3. Round 12-20: K41, Slip marker (SM), P3, SM, K8, SM, P3, SM, K 10, SM, P3, SM, K8, SM, P3, SM, K3. Round 21: K41, SM, P3, SM, Place next 4 stitches onto a cable holder and drop forward, knit the next four stitches, slip stitches on hold back onto your needle and knit. SM, P3, SM, K10, SM, P3, Place next 4 stitches onto a cable holder and drop it to the back of work, K next 4 stitches. Pick up held stitches and knit them, SM, P3, SM, k 3.
Repeat rows 12-21 five times.
Divide for Two “Tails'
Knit 18 (20, 21). You should be at the center back of the hat. Place the next 36 (40,42) stitches on hold using a stitch holder. You will now work half of the hat at a time.
Decrease for ‘Tails'
Round 1: Knit to the next marker (this takes you to the front of the hat), p3,sm,k8,sm,k20 (22, 23) Round 2: k2tog, k to marker, sm, p3, sm, k8, sm, p3, sm, k2tog, knit to the next marker. Round 3 sm, p3, sm k 8, sm, p3, k18 (20, 21) Round 4: repeat round 2. Round 5 sm, p3, sm k 8, sm, p3, k16 (18, 19) Round 6: repeat round 2. Round 7: sm, p3, sm, k8, sm, p3, k14 (16, 17) Round 8: k2tog, k to marker, sm p3, sm, Place next 4 stitches on a cable holder and drop forward, knit the next four stitches, slip stitches on hold back onto your needle and knit. sm, p3, sm, k2tog, knit to next marker. You now have 26 (28, 30) stitches on your needles. Round 9 to finish: repeat rounds 6 and 7 until your decrease stitch requires you to knit into the cable pattern. When this occurs stop knitting the pattern and knit all stitches. Continue to knit one row, decrease one each side of your hat tail' until 4 stitches remain. cut a 10 inch tail and with a darning needle thread the yarn tail through the remaining stitches. Draw them tight and secure the yarn. Do not hide this yet as we will use it to secure your pom pom.
Second ‘Tail
Pick up the stitches on hold and repeat rounds 1-finish of the Decrease for 'Tails' section of the pattern.
Make 2 Pom Poms
I used this tutorial-as my first one was a disaster. The thread is super important! http://www.makeithandmade.com/2012/12/perfect-pom-pom-tutorial.html. Secure your pompoms to each tail of your hat and hide your ends. You are done!
