Knitted Crown
This fun litle crown is surprisingly quick and simple to knit up, yet the results look fancy and elegant. You don't have to tell how easy it was if you don't want to! This is worked from the top down, and the decreases form the “points” at the top of the crown. Yarn: Worsted weight in gold or silver. About 25-30 yards. If using contrasting colors for bobble "gems" you will need a few scraps of jeweltone yarns, a few yards each. Needle: US size 7, for knitting in the round a 16" circular works well. Gauge 4 st/6 rows per inch stockinette. Glossary of terms: YO: yarn over. Wrap yarn around needle the same direction you would to make a stitch, but without knitting a stitch. This will create the little lacy holes in the crown. S2K , K1, P2SSO: Slip 2 stitches from one needle to the other as if you were going to knit 2 together. Knit the next stitch normally, then pass the two slipped stitches off the needle. 2 stitches decreased. MB: Make Bobble. Transfer last worked stitch back to working needle. K, YO, K, YO, K into the same stitch. Turn, purl those 5 stitches, turn again, K2tog, K1, K2tog. Slip second stitch over, then third stitch. Yay Bobbles! If you want, you could also knit the bobble part in a contrasting color for "'gems" at the points of the crown. For Bobbles in contrasting color: switch to CC after working decrease stitches, K, YO, K, YO, K into the same stitch using CC, turn and purl 5, turn again, K2tog, K1, switch back to MC, K2tog. Slip 2 CC stitches over MC stitch, break CC yarn, continue in pattern with MC until next bobble. Cast on 140 stitches for large size /141 for knitting flat. (126stitches for toddler/child size /127 knitted flat). I find using the "cable cast on" method makes a very pretty edge, and ends up stretchy enough that the finished crown fits a wide range of sizes. http://www.knitty.com/IS SUEsummer05/FEATsu m05TT.html
Rows 1-4 (below) worked in garter stitch.
Round 1 (ws): \*K9 (8), S2K ,K1, P2SSO, K8 (7), pm to end of round. Place contrasting color marker at end of round and join, being careful not to twist. Round 2 rs: P8(7) S2K , K1, P2SSO, P7(6), sm to end of round. ALTERNATE ROW 2 forbobbles: K8 (7), S2K , K1, P2SSO, MB, K7 (6), sm to end of round. Round 3: \*K7 (6), S2K , K1, P2SSO, K6 (5), sm to end. Round 4: \*P6 (5), S2K , K1, P2SSO, P5 (4), sm to end.
Rows 5-14 (below) worked in Stockinette Stitch, Knit all rows.
Round 5, 7, 9,11, 13: knit all stitches. Round 6: \*K1(0) YO, K4 (3), [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K4 (3), YO, sm, repeat to end of round. Round 8: \*K2, YO, K3 (2) [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K3 (2), YO, K1 sm, repeat to end. Round 10: \*K3 (2), YO, K2 (1), [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K2 (1), YO, K2 (1) sm, repeat to end. Round 12: \*K4 (3), YO, K1 (0), [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K1 (0), YO, K3 (2) sm, repeat to end. (For Size Small proceed to Garter Stitch Edge here, omit round 14) Round 14: \*K5, YO, [S2K , K1, P2SSO], YO, K4, sm, repeat to end. Switch back to Garter Stitch for final 4 rows, no more decreases. BO all stitches loosely, weave in ends. The best bind off I have found is Jeny's Suprisingly Stretchy Bind Off (http://knitty.com/ISSUEfal109/FEATjssbo.php)
Directions for knitting flat:
Row1 :\*K9 (8), S2K , K1, P2SSO, K8 (7), pm repeat from \* to end of row, K1 Row2 (rs): \*K8 (7) S2K , K1, P2SSO [MB here if using bobbles], K7 (6) sm, repeat from \* to end of row, K1 row3 (ws): \*K7 (6) S2K , K1, P2SSO, K6 (5) repeat from \* to end of row, K1 Row 4(rs): \*K6 (5), sl1 k2tog psso, K5 (4) sm, repeat from \* to end of row, K1 Rows 5-14 (below) worked in Stockinette Stitch. Purl every odd row. Rows 5,7,9,11,13: Purl all sts. Row 6: K1(0), \*YO, K4 (3) [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K4 (3), YO, K1(0), sm, repeat from \* to end of row,K1. Row 8: K2(1), YO, K3 (2), [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K3 (2), YO, K2 sm, \*K1, YO, K3 (2), [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K3 (2), YO, K2 sm repeat from \* to end of row. Row 10: K3(2), YO, K2(1), [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K2 (1), YO, K3(2) sm \*K2, YO, K2(1), [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K2 (1), YO, K3(2) sm repeat from \* to end of row. Row 12: K4 (3), YO, K1(0), [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K1 (0), YO, K4(3) sm, \*K3, YO, K1(0), [S2K , K1, P2SSO], K1 (0), YO, K4(3) sm repeat from \* to end of row. (For Size Small proceed to Garter Stitch Edge here, omit row 14) Row 14: \*K5, YO, [S2K , K1, P2SSO], YO, K5 sm, \*K4 YO, [S2K , K1, P2SSO], YO, K5 sm, repeat from \* to end of row, K1 Switch back to Garter Stitch for final 4 rows, no more decreases. Bind off loosely, seam edges together and weave in ends.
