Yarn: Largest size calls for less than one skein of Classic Elite Fresco in Sangria. Okay, can I just say this yarn is UH-MAZING! It's so soft and warm and scrumptious, I just want to snuggle with it (cuz snuggling's my favorite (yes, I love Elf! but I digress . . .)). It's a 3 ply sportweight blend of wool, alpaca and angora. Any sportweight yarn will work though.
Hook: G (4.25 mm)
Gauge: 5.5 V-stitch clusters and 9.75 rows is a 4 inch square.
Notes: This hat is very stretchy because of the flexible ribbing and because the v-stitch is so loose and airy. This hat will stretch to fit those larger heads (like mine : ) and be a bit slouchy on smaller heads, although the ribbing will keep it snug.
Infant Size (about 15 inches around):
Hat
Rd 1: Ch 2, (dc, ch1, dc) 5 times in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to first dc of round to join. (5 ch 1 sp).
Rd 2: Ch 1, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in each ch1 sp around, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (10 ch 1 sp)
Rd 3: Ch1, [(dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp] 5 times, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (15 ch 1 sp).
Rd 4: Ch 1, [[(dc, ch1, dc) in each of next 2 ch 1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp] 5 times, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (20 ch 1 sp).
Rds 5-10: Ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (20 ch 1 sp).
Rd 11: Ch 1, 1 hdc in each dc and in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first hdc of round. (60 hdc)
Do not fasten.
Ribbing
Row 1: Ch 7, turn, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5 st. (6 sc), 1 sl st in next 2 hdc on last row of hat.
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sk over the 2 sl st you just made and work 1 sc in blo in each sc across. (6 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in blo of each sc across, 1 sl in next 2 hdc on last round of hat. (6 sc)
Repeat last 2 rows around the edge of the hat.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Here's a quick video I created to demonstrate this technique.
Kids Size (about 18 inches around):
Hat
Follow Rounds 1-4 for infant size
Rd 5: Ch 1, [[(dc, ch1, dc) in each of next 3 ch 1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp] 5 times, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (25 ch 1 sp).
Rds 6-13: Ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (25 ch 1 sp)
Rd 14: Ch 1, 1 hdc in each dc and in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first hdc. (75 hdc)
Ribbing
Follow instructions for ribbing for infant size except Ch 9 instead of 7. Stich counts will be 8 instead of 6.
Adult Size (about 21 inches around):
Hat
Follow Rounds 1-5 for kids size
Rd 6: Ch 1, [[(dc, ch1, dc) in each of next 4 ch 1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp] 5 times, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (30 ch 1 sp).
Rds 7-16: Ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (30 ch 1 sp)
Rd 17: Ch 1, 1 hdc in each dc and in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first hdc of round. (90 hdc)
Ribbing
Follow instructions for ribbing for infant size except Ch 11 instead of 7. Stich counts will be 10 instead of 6.
Add a cute pom pom for extra fun, you'll definitely have enough yarn! Enjoy!
