by Kelly McClure
Triton's Thinking Cap
Abbreviations
approx approximately beg beginning bet between BO bind off CC contrasting colour ch chain cn cable needle co cast on cont continue dc double crochet dpn(s) double point needle(s) dec(s) decrease(s) foll follow(ing) hdc half double crochet hk hook inc increase incl including Kknit K1 f&b knit 1 st in front and back ktbl knit through back loop kwise knitwise K2tog knit two together lp(s) loop(s) M1 make one M1L make one left M1R make one right MC main colour Ppurl pattpatternpm place marker psso passover pu pick up pwise purlwise rem remaining rep repeat rnd(s) round(s) RS right side sc single crochet sk skip sl m slip marker sp(s) space(s) ssk slip, slip, k2 slipped sts tog st(s) stitch(es) st st stockinette stitch tbl through back loop tog together ws wrong side YO varn over
It doesn't get much easier than this! Suitable for beginners, but it's also a fun, quick pattern for more experienced crocheters. This hat is wonderfully comfy and warm making it a great thinking cap. Will work with most yarn types and weights.
Craft: crochet
Skill Level: Rookie-Apprentice-Virtuoso-Genius Skills: ch, hdc, bphdc Sizes: adult medium (22" circumference) and large (24" circumference) with instructions to adjust Finished Measurements: (of example shown, size medium) 8" long x 11" across lying flat Gauge: approx. 8.5 sts and 8 rows $=$ 4" with 10mm in patt; 14 sts $=$ 4" with $6\;\mathsf{m m}$ (as given on ball band) Yarn: approx. 100g bulky yarn, 2 strands held together; (you may substitute a different weight - see instructions for more details) Suggested Brand: 2 balls Diamond Tempo Chunky Needles/Hooks: $10\;\mathsf{m m}$ (or to match yarn) Other Materials: tapestry needle or teeny crochet hook, scrap yarn
Notes and Tips:
· The decreases are worked with two strands of chunky yarn in mind. If you are substituting a different yarn that is much smaller, you may end up with a bit of a funny crown. My advice on this would be to rep Dec Rnd 1-2 once more before completing Rnd 3 and 4. · There will be a slight seam at the back of your hat - make sure you use a marker (a piece of scrap yarn works well) for the beg of your rnd and that you start your new rnd with the correct st.
Note on yarn:
Getting gauge with this hat can be a little tricky, but it's very versatile. My advice is to choose two strands of the yarn that you like, as long as it's worsted weight or heavier. I like the effect of huge stitches by doubling bulky yarn, but the hat will work well with almost anything. The thicker your yarn, the faster it crochets up! This hat is worked with a multiple of $4\;\mathrm{sts}+\;1$ If you aren't using the recommended brand of yarn, ch enough sts so that the strand fits comfortably around your head (or the recipient's head); don't pull the strand really tight or else your hat will give you a headache. For an accurate measurement, make sure to measure around your ears and forehead, not the crown of your head. Now, count your sts and make sure the number is divisibleby $4,+\,1$ .(Ex. $52+1=53$ chs not including the one on your hook). If you are a little more experienced, another method for figuring out how many sts to ch would be to make a gauge swatch, measure your head with a measuring tape and then figure out how many sts per inch you have on your swatch and multiply it to fit the circumference, making sure it's still divisible by $4+\,\uparrow$
Instructions:
Ch 40 (44) sts $+\ 1$ (or the number according to your yarn type); join in the rnd with a sl st, being careful not to twist your sts. Pm for beg of rnd. Rnd 1: hdc (half-double crochet) in each st around. Rnd 2: bphdc (back post half-double crochet) in each st around. Repeat these two rnds 5 times total or until hat measures approx. 4-5".
Dec Rnds:
Rnd 1: \*hdc in next 2 sts, work 1 dec over next 2 sts as follows: \*insert hook in next st, YO, pull through\*, rep from \* to \* once more, YO, pull through all 3 sts\*, rep from \* to \* to end of rnd. Rnd 2: bphdc in each st around. Rnd 3: \*hdc in next st, work 1 dec over next two sts\*, rep from \* to \* to end of rnd. Rnd $^{4+}$ : work 1 dec over next 2 sts until hat is closed up; cut yarn and tie off. Weave in ends.
