by Linda H (ravelry= coollinda) I used a core-spun yarn using a nubby cotton boucle core, wrapped with opened locks, wool carded with sari silk, sari silk alone, merino/silk top, and miscellaneous bits and pieces. My finished yarn was so twisty that I decided to ply it with a very thin gray boucle yarn. It ended up being a bulky yarn that wasn't stiff.
So, for this hat you will need around 125 yards of bulky yarn, size 10.5 needles (you will be knitting both flat and in the round, so at the very least you will need double-points), and stitch markers. Gauge is only semi-important, because you will be knitting to measurements to fit your head. Also, please remember that your work of art might be a little different from my work of art! to begin: Cast on 19 sts. (For me, this resulted in a strip about 5.5 inches wide. Adjust your stitch number accordingly....the linen stitch portion was 3.5" wide and the stockinette section was 2" wide) Row 1: Knit 5 stitches, place marker, \*slip 1 with yarn in front, knit 1\* ; repeat \* to \* Row 2: Knit 1, purl 1, \*slip 1 with yarn in back, purl 1\* ; repeat \* to \* to marker, then purl 5 repeat rows 1 and 2 until you have a strip that is long enough to go around your head. The stockinette section goes at the top. My strip was around 21" long. The linen stitch part doesn't stretch as much as stockinette; be sure you measure! You don't want it to be too big or too Small!
When the strip is finished, cast off. Sew the cast off end to the cast on end. I didn't use a three needle bind off to join the ends together because I thought it would be too bulky and addendum 9/22/1: I picked up the stitches b "bumps",i.e. from under the "bar" between the bumps at the end of each row. Pick up stitches around the stockinette edge (crown of hat): I picked up one stitch for each row. I ended up with 60 stitches, you might get more if your yarn isn't as bulky, or less if your yarn is bulkier. Count your stitches and divide by 6. Place markers to divide your round into 6 more or less evensections. Purl one round (turning ridge), place marker at beginning of round. Round 1: knit Round 2: knit to two stitches before marker, k2tog. Repeat around. Round 3 knit round 4: knit round 5: knit to two stitches before marker, k2tog. Repeat around. round 6, 7, 8, 9, 10: knit round 11: knit to two stitches before marker, k2tog. Repeat around. round 12: knit round 13: knit to two stitches before marker, k2tog. Repeat around. (eventually you will have decreased enough so that you do k2tog all the way around) At this point, k2tog 3 times, so that you end up with 3 stitches. Knit a three stitch i-cord for as long as you want, cut yarn and pull end through loop. I crocheted a chain with some of the tail and put the end through the loop before cutting the yarn. Block hat by putting a plate or lid in the hat so that the top folds in at the turning ridge. Steam it or wet block. I also threaded a string through at the end of the linen stitch and pulled it tight during the blocking process, just to keep the bottom of the hat from flopping around. I put the plate (inside the hat in the picture) on a vase to hold the hat up so the bottom wasn't squished.
Let me know if any of this doesn't make sense and I will try to help! Enjoy!
