Knitted Stripes and Strands Hat

The Knitted Stripes and Strands Hat is a cozy and stylish accessory that adds a touch of charm to any outfit. With its playful combination of stripes and intricate knit strands, this hat is perfect for both keeping you warm and making a fashion statement. Whether you're heading out for a walk or just running errands, this hat will keep you looking trendy and feeling snug. Don't be surprised if you receive compliments on your fabulous headwear – this hat is a real winner in both fashion and function!

Yarn: One skein each of a solid and a self-striping sock yarn (a single-sock sized skein in each color will be more than sufficient). I used KnitPicks Essential in navy for the solid and Plymoth Sockotta in color 507 (45% cotton, 40% wool, 15% nylon) for the stripes. You can also, of course, use two solid color yarns or, heck, two self-striping yarns if you really want to live dangerously.

Needles: 16″ circulars and double points in U.S. size 2.

Other Necessities: stitch marker, yarn needle.

(Note that I’ve used a paragraph break at each spot where you will be changing yarns.)

Using the solid color yarn, cast on 128 stitches, place marker, and close circle.

Work 6 rounds of K1, P1 rib.

Work one round K.

Switch to self-striping yarn and K one round.

Switch to solid yarn and K two rounds.

Switch to self-striping yarn and K one round.

Using Chart A, work eight repeats of pattern stitch in stranded knitting, being careful to always pass yarn changes under the previous yarn and to stretch the work as you knit to keep tension loose.

Switch to self-striping yarn and K one round.

Switch to solid yarn and K two rounds.

Switch to self-striping yarn and K until piece measures 4.75 inches.

Switch to solid yarn and K two rounds.

Switch to self-striping yarn and K one round.

Using Chart B, work sixteen repeats of pattern stitch in stranded knitting, being careful to always pass yarn changes under the previous yarn and to stretch the work as you knit to keep tension loose.

Switch to self-striping yarn and K one round.

Switch to solid yarn and K two rounds.

Switch to self-striping yarn and K one round.

Switch to solid yarn and K one round.

Work decreases as follows, continuing to use solid yarn and switching to double-points when necessary.

Round 1: K14, K2tog around.

All even numbered rounds:K around.

Round 3: K13, K2tog around.

Round 5: K12, K2tog around.

Continue working decreases in this way until

Round 27: K1, K2tog around.

Round 28: K2tog around.

Using yarn needle, run working thread through remaining stitches and remove these from needles. Weave ends in on wrong side of hat.