The Jester Hat by Elizabeth Morrison
The Jester is a quick-to-knit and whimsical hat, knit in the round, with I-cord and attached ball on top. Choose a soft bulky yarn and knit tightly to keep out the wind and cold. The idea of knitting a ball as a hat topper came Anna Zilboorg's 45 Fine and Fanciful Hats. DIFFICULTY RATING Easy SIZE M[L] 22[24] inches FINISHED MEASUREMENTS 22[24] inches
MATERIALS
100 gms Bulky yarn (make sure it's soft!). Look for a yarn with a recommended needle size U.s. 11 or 8 mm. Sample made from mystery lambswool, recycled from a Gap sweater. US Size 8 and 9 or metric 5 and 5.5 mm double points, or size needed to get gauge. Darning needle GAUGE 12 stitches/4 inches in stockinette stitch on larger needles DIRECTIONS Using smaller needles, cast on 66[72] stitches. Work k1, p1 ribbing for 1.5 inches.
The Jester Hat by Elizabeth Morrison
Switch to larger needles. Work in Stockinette st (knit every round) until piece measures 4[4.5] inches from beginning.
Begin decreases for crown shaping. Round 1: Knit 9[10], k2tog. Repeat around Round 2 and all even rounds: Work even Round 3: k8[9], k2tog. Repeat around. Continue decreasing in this manner, always working one fewer stitch between decreases than in previous decrease round. When six stitches remain, k2tog 3 X around. 3 stitches remain. Work I-cord on these stitches for about 2 inches, or to suit. Begin ball shaping Round 1: in each of the three stitches, increase one stitch. 6 stitches. Place 2 on each needle. Round 2: Increase in every stitch again: 12 stitches, 4 on each needle. Round 3: Work even. Round 4: $\mathbf{\hat{\rho}}\mathbf{k}\tau$ , m1, k2, m1, k1\* repeat around. 18 stitches. Rounds 5 & 6: Work even. Round 7: k1, k2tog around. 12 stitches. Round 8: work even. Round 9 k2tog around. 6 stitches Stuff a small, tightly rolled ball of yarn into your ball Matching color is best. K2tog around. 3 stitches. Break yarn with about 12 inches. Thread through three remaining stitches and pull tight. Pass darning needle through ball, emerging at base near I-cord. Wind yarn tightly around I cord several times. Push needle back through ball to anchor yarn. You may want to emerge near the end you just closed and then pass back through once more to make sure it's secure. Cut yarn close to ball surface and end will disappear inside. Darn in ends.
If you wish to block, a round-bottomed bowl with straight sides works well. Farberware makes excellent blocking bowls..
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