Witch CAts
by Christine de SAvoie Circumference: approx 20"(50 cm) Depth: approx 8.75"(22 cm)
I designed Witch cats for a KAL on the theme of Halloween in 2006. Black, orange shades, cats and witches were absolutely welcome. This hat is knitted in round using stranded colorwork. One size only but you can rezize it if you change the pattern repeats and/or the st count. Three orange yarns are used: one is a little bit hairy (mohair), the 2 others are smooth. The pattern is knitted in black. Create your own Witch cats changing color combination, the shape of this hat etc.! Directions are both written and charted.
MateriAls
· Yarns (see abbreviations) - MC: Chanteleine 79 (discontinued), 3O % mohair/70 % acrylic, 164 yds (150 m)/50 g, light orange - approx 130 yds/ 120 m. CC1: Bergere de France Bergeronnette (discontinued), 80 % acrylic/20 % wool, 174 yds/159 m/50 g (25 sts. x 34 rows = 4" in st st, US 21/2 -3.0 mm), black - approx 153 yds/140 m. - CC2/CC3: Bergere de France Idéal, 4O % wool/30 % polyamide/30 % acrylic, 137 yds/125 m/50 g (24 sts. x 31 rows = 4" in st st, US 4 - 3.5 mm), light orange #Vitamine (CC2) and medium orange CC3) - approx 16 yds/15 m of each. · US 21/2 - 3.0 mm and US 4 - 3.5 mm 16" or 20" circular needles · One set of US 4 - 3.5 mm double pointed needles · Tapestry needle, 1 stitch marker
Pattern sts (in round)
St st: knit each round. Garter st: knit one round, purl one round.
GAuge
27 sts x 30 rds = 4" in stranded knitting, in round, US 4 - 3.5 mm.
Skills
· Round knitting ·Knit, purl · Increases, decreases · Stranded knitting
Abbreviations & techNigue
· approx: approximately · BO/CO: bind off/cast on · CC1: contrast color 1 - black · CC2: contrast color 2 - light orange · CC3: contrast color 3 - medium orange · k2tog: knit two stitches together · kfb: knit front and back · MC: main color - hairy orange ● rep: repeat(s) ● Rnd (rnd): Round (round) ● st st: stockinette stitch ●st(s): stitch(es) · Stretch regularly the stitches on your right needle when you switch between colors to prevent tightening. This is fundamental. · You may carry the unworking yarn over 7 sts before catching it keeping floats flexible enough. If this seems difficult for you, cross your yarns over each other every 4 or 5 sts in the same color. ● Do not cross yarns at the same point every row (vertically); shift crossings by 2 or more sts every row. · You may substitute with a little heavier yarns changing st and round counts to get measurements you want. · You may also change the number of pattern repeats: the green version is knitted using similar weight yarns but 7 pattern repeats instead of 8 (chart 2) ; the circumference is 17.7" (45 cm). ● You may also add 1 or 2 sts between cats (chart 2) and decrease the number of pattern repeats to get your work fitting your gauge.
Directions
CO 120 sts with CC1 (black) and US 21/2 - 3.0 mm circular needle.
Folding edge
Join in the round being careful not to twist the cast-on edge. Place a marker and knit until you have 1.2"(3 cm). Next row (turning row): purl. Body Using US 4 - 3.5 mm and CC1 knit one row increasing 16 sts evenly as follows: (k6, kfb, k7, kfb) 8 times - 136 sts. ● Next rows: joining CC3 work chart 1 (4-st rep 34 times, 3 rnds). Break CC3. · Next rows: joining CC2 work chart 2 (17-st rep 8 times, 18 rnds). - Do not break CC2 at the end of rnd 5; - 8 next rnds: join MC and twist it together with CC2 at the beginning of both 3rd and 6th rnds. Break MC at the end of rnd 13; - 5 last rnds: continue with CC2; break CC2 at the end of rnd 18. · Next rows: joining CC3 work chart 3 (4-st rep 34 times, 3 rnds). Break CC3. ● Next row (CC1): knit decreasing 6 sts as follows: (k21, k2tog, k20, k2tog, k21, k2tog) 2 times - 130 sts. You should have approx 3.5" (9 cm) from turning row. · Next row: joining MC, work chart 4 (10-st rep 13 times, 16 rnds). You should have approx 6.3" (16 cm) from turning row.
Shaping
From now, you will knit 25 more rounds: if you think your hat might be too deep, you can decide to replace chart 5 by chart 6 (8 less rounds).
● Next rows: work chart 5 - 16 rnds (or chart 6 - 8 rnds) - 117 sts, 104 sts then 91 sts at the end of the chart. Do not break CC1. ● Next row (MC): knit decreasing 13 sts as follows: - if you have worked chart 5: (k3, k2tog, k2) 13 times - 78 sts; - if you have worked chart 6: (k1, k2tog, k4) 13 times - 78 sts. Do not cut MC. ● Next row (CC1): knit. ● Next rows: joining CC3, work chart 7- 3 rnds as follows: - 1st rnd: \*(k2tog with CC1, k3 with CC3) 7 times, k1 with CC1, k3 with CC3\*, rep from \* to \* once more - 64 sts. - 2nd rnd: (k1 with CC3, k1 with CC1) 32 times. - 3rd rnd: (k2 with CC3, k1 with CC1, k1 with CC3) 16 times. Break CC1 and CC3. ● Next row (MC): (k2tog, k2) 16 times - 48 sts. · Next row: knit. ● Next row: (k1, k2tog) 16 times - 32 sts. ● Next row: (k2tog) 16 times - 16 sts. Break yarn.
Finishing
Draw tail through the 16 remaining sts. Pull tight to firmly close the top. Weave in all ends.
Chart 1
Pattern repeat: 4 sts x 3 rnds
Chart 2
Pattern repeat: 17 sts x 18 rnds
Chart 3
Pattern repeat: 4 sts x 3 rnds
Copyright @ Christine de Savoie 2006 and 2014
Chart 4
Pattern repeat: 16 sts x 10 rnds
Chart S
Pattern repeat: 16 sts x 10 rnds
Copyright @ Christine de Savoie 2006 and 2014
Chart 6
Pattern repeat: 10 sts x8 rnds
Chart 7
Rep this chart 2 times in total (32 sts x 3 rnds)
