Starletta
This beanie fits size S and M. (>= 54 cm head circumreference) Knitting gauge: 1 x 1 inch: 8 stitches and 9 rows. Because of the sloppy brioche style this beanie will fit smaller and bigger heads. You need: 75 - 80 g of light green (or any other colour you like) 4-ply (sock) yarn. I used soy yarn and it's unbelievable soft! Note: also 5-ply merino yarn or similar that can be knit with needle size 3.00 mm will work. A cable needle or extra short sock knitting needle for doing the cabling. Cast on 144 stitches. Join being careful not to twist. Mark the beginning of the row e.g. with a different leftover yarn colour. Do ribbing for 6 cms: \* Purl 2 , knit 2 through backloop \*. Repeat \* Note: By knitting 2 through backloop the ribbing will not get too sloppy and keep its shape after washing. Knit one round: \* K1, P1 \*. Repeat \* Start with brioche pattern.
Brioche pattern
1" round: \* Knit one stitch in the stitch below (you have two loops around your current stitch), purl 1 \*. Repeat \*. 2"d round: \* Knit 1, purl one stitch in the stitch below (you have two loops around your current stitch) \*. Repeat \*. Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until beanie measures 18 cm in total length (including ribbing). End with round 2.
Decreases
The beanie is separated into 6 sections. At the beginning each section goes over 24 stitches. Every decrease round reduces the number of stitches in one section by 4. Put the loops (the last row stitch) of the next two knit brioche stitches up on the needle. Make a left-slanting decrease: slip brioche knit with loop knitwise, slip next purl stitch knitwise. Knit next brioche stitch with loop together. Pull slipped stitches and slipped loop over the knit brioche stitch. Knit 17 stitches in normal brioche pattern. Make a right-slanting decrease: Put the loops (the last row stitch) of the next two knit brioche stitches up on the needle. Knit loop, brioche and and next purl stitch together. Put it back on the left needle and pull the next brioche with loop over it. Repeat this step in all 6 sections. You end with a purl stitch in each section. Knit 3 rows in brioche pattern. Do decrease as described above. The number of stitches in the section (between the two decreases) is reduced by 4. This means in the second decrease you will have to knit 13 stitches in the brioche pattern between the two decreases. Knit 3 rows in brioche pattern. Continue in this way until you have 24 stitches left (4 stitches in each section). \* Then you do a left-slanting decrease (as described above) at the beginning of the section. The first three stitches are knit toghether. Put the loops of the knit stitches up on the needle. Slip brioche with loop knitwise, slip next purl knitwise. Knit loop and next brioche stitch together. Pull slipped stitches and loop over knit brioche Stitch. Pu rl next purl stitch.\* Repeat \*. This forms the star at the top of the beanie. Now you have 12 stitches left. Knit 3 rows in brioche pattern. Cut yarn. Pull yarn several times through the remaining stitches. Weave in all ends. Happy knitting! Sandra Jager Oct. 2011 For individual, non-commercial use only
