An easy garter stitch hat, perfect for showing off variegated yarn. Eldora is cast on provisionally and knit sideways with short row shaping, then the first and last rows are grafted together for a seamless finish. Techniques Used: provisional CO, knit, short rows, grafting. Experience Level: Adventurous Beginner. Size: Child (Adult), to fit 21 (22.5)" head. Yarn: Malabrigo Yarn Merino Worsted (1o0% merino wool, 210 yards); 1 skein. Shown in Snow Violet (Child) and in Déja Vu (Adult).
Other Materials:
US 9 16" circular needle/DPNs or 32" circular needle if using Magic Loop, or size to match gauge. Yarn needle. Waste yarn for provisional Co. Gauge: 17 st x 34 rows/4" in garter stitch. Row gauge determines hat circumference in this sideways knit.
Stitches & Abbreviations:
K: knit st: stitch(es). w&t: wrap and turn stitch - slip stitch purlwise to right needle. Move yarn to front, slip stitch back to left needle, turn work.
@2012 Jennifer A. Dassau; The Knitting Vortex, www.jenniferdassau.com
Designer's Notes:
Eldora is shaped with seven 20-row short row wedges; the garter stitch stretches to fit a wide range of head sizes, but more stitches are cast on for the adult size to create a longer hat. A good short row tutorial can be found at http://www.purlbee.com/short-row-tutorial/ There is no need to pick up the short row wraps, as they disappear into the garter stitch. Stitch numbers to be knit in each row are provided, as a means of double checking while knitting. However, alternate pithy instructions are also provided at the end, for those who prefer an abbreviated version.
How to graft in garter stitch:
Set up: thread yarn tail through yarn needle, and insert through first stitch on front needle as if to purl; pull yarn through, leaving stitch on needle. Then insert through first stitch on back needle as if to purl, and pull yarn through, leaving stitch on needle. Graft: Step 1 - Insert needle through first stitch on front needle as if to knit, and pull stitch off needle. Step 2 - Insert needle through second stitch on front needle as if to purl, and pull yarn through, leaving stitch on needle. Repeat these two steps on back needle. Repeat until all stitches have been grafted, eliminating Step 2 when one stitch remains on each needle.
Pattern:
Using provisional method, C0 31 (34) st. Row 1 (WS): K31 (34) st. Row 2 (RS): K29 (32), w&t next st. Row 3: K29 (32) to end. Row 4: K28 (31), w&t. Row 5: K28 (31) to end. Row 6: K27 (30), w&t. Row 7: K27 (30) to end. Row 8: K26 (29), w&t. Row 9: K26 (29) to end. Row 10: K25 (28), w&t. Row 11: K25 (28) to end. Row 12: K23 (26), w&t. Row 13: K23 (26) to end. Row 14: K21 (24), w&t. Row 15: K21 (24) to end. Row 16: K18 (21), w&t. Row 17: K18 (21) to end. Row 18: K15 (18), w&t. Row 19: K15 (18) to end. Row 20: K31 (34) to end. Knit these 20 rows, 7 times total, ending with Row 19 on the last repeat. Cut yarn, leaving 24" tail for grafting. Place provisionally CO st on needle, and hold parallel to last row of stitches, with RS out. Graft all stitches (see Designer's Notes). Use yarn tail to close up tiny hole at crown if necessary. Weave in ends neatly, and the hat is reversible!
Alternate Pithy Instructions:
Row 1 (wS) and all wS rows: knit to end. Row 2 (RS): knit to 2 st before end, w&t. Rows 4, 6, 8, 10: knit to 1 st before last wrapped st, w&t. Rows 12, 14: knit to 2 st before last wrapped st, w&t. Rows 16, 18: knit to 3 st before last wrapped st, w&t. Row 20: knit to end.
