Yarn: I used two skeins of Cascade 220 with 2 strands held together.
Gauge: 4 to 4.5 stitches per inch.
Needles: Size 10 cast on only; if you are like me I attend to cast on tightly. Two size 8-16 inch and one size 9-16 inch and double points or 32+ inch circular.
Cast on 80 stitches on size 10 then switch to size 8 being careful not to twist. Knit ribbing (2 by 2) for 3 to 4 inches from cast on. Leave on needle and make another same length.
Joining the Rims together: Get up and get a cup of … and get ready for doubling up
Now for the fun part! Joining the rims it’s not hard… just take your time.
Follow these steps
1. With one rim under the other
2. You are basically going to knit two stitches together only the stitches are on two needles. Knit into the front rim first then the back rim at the same time pulling yarn through the stitches then dropping the two old stitches and putting the new stitch on right side. Keep going around knit the knits and purl the purls together.
3. You should still have 80 stitches still and the rim should be finished.
4. Switch to size 9 16 now for next 5 inches continue ribbing (2 by 2) pattern as established.
5. I continued decrease section for a hat if you rather knit after the ribbing rim. SEE BELOW
Decreasing as follows: You may not finish complete repeats for all the decrease rows.
1. *Knit 2, Purl 2, knit 2, then purl 2 together* repeat to end
2. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 3 rows (*knit 2, purl 2, knit 2, purl 1*)
3. *knit 2, purl 2 together, knit 2, purl 1* repeat to end
4. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 3 rows (*knit 2, purl 1*)
5. *knit 2, purl 1, knit 2 together* repeat to end.
6. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 2 rows (*knit 2, purl, knit 1*)
7. *knit 2 together, purl 1, knit 1, purl 1* repeat to end.
8. Continue new rib knit the knits and purl the purls for 2 rows (*knit 1, purl 1*)
9. *knit 1, purl 3 together* repeat to end
10. Continue new rib knit 1, purl 1 once.
11. Next row *knit, purl 3 together* repeat to end. You now should less than 12 stitches.
12. Next row knit two stitches together until end.
13. Cut yarn leaving a nice tail.
14. Using a darning needle go into all stitches and when finished pull tightly to close hole.
15. Take the needle and go through the middle of the hole and weave in yarn and cut.
16. ENJOY your hat.
IF you decided to knit instead of ribbing after rim do decreases like this
1. Knit until you have 5 inches from cast on edge. Next row place decrease markers every ten stitches.
2. Decrease row: *knit 8 then knit 2 together, slip marker (sm)* repeat to end.
3. Knit three rows
4. Decrease row: *knit 7 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
5. Knit three rows
6. Decrease row: *knit 6 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
7. Knit two rows
8. Decrease row: *knit 5 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
9. Knit two rows
10. Decrease row: *knit 4 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
11. Knit once
12. Decrease row: *knit 3 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
13. Knit once
14. Decrease row: *knit 2 then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end.
15. Decrease row: *knit 1, then knit 2 together, sm* repeat to end. Next row remove markers.
16. Decrease row: *knit 2 together* to end and removing markers.
17. Decrease row: *knit 2 together* to end. Now cut yarn leaving a nice tail to weave last stitches.
