Caerphilly Hat

So here it is! The first pattern to appear on this blog. This is a snuggly warm hat with just the right amount of cling (as far as I'm concerned), plus some lace to make the knitting interesting. Also I wanted to see how a pretty lace stitch would look in chunky yarn. The name is a bit of a joke, partly because it was designed and made for someone in Wales, but also because when you're knitting lace, you have to work...caerphilly! (Read out the sentence if you don't get it)

Anyway, here's the pattern:
Caerphilly Hat

Materials:
Frog Tree Alpaca Chunky (100% alpaca, 50 grams-54 yards) in color 25 (red)- 2 balls (you'll use about 1 and a half)

1 set US8/5mm circular needles (length not totally critical, just make sure their short enough not to distort the hat as you knit).

1 set US8/5mm dpns.

1 stitch marker.

Gauge:
16sts & 20 rows= 4 inches in stockinette.

Hat is one size- the ribbing means it should fit most heads.

Pattern notes:

Scallop lace:
(From Simply Knitting Magazine's stitch library, February 2007 issue)

CO a multiple of 13sts + 2.
Row 1: K1 *sl1, k1, psso, K9, k2tog, rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: K1 *sl1, k1, psso, K7, k2tog, rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 4: Purl
Row 5: K1, *sl1, k1, psso, yo (K1, yo) 5 times, k2tog, rep from * to last st, K1.
Row 6: Knit

Remember, you'll be knitting this in the round, so the purl rows need to be knit, and the knit row (row 6) purled.

Repeat these 6 rows to form pattern.

3x3 rib:

Row 1: K3, P3, rep to end.
Row 2: P3, K3, rep to end.

Repeat these 2 rows to form ribbing.

Instructions-
CO 90 sts, place marker, join for knitting in the round.
Work panels as follows:
15 sts in 3x3 rib (K3,p3,K3,p3, K3) , followed by 15 sts scallop lace (1st row)- repeat around the hat. You will have 3 panels of ribbing, 3 of scallop lace.
Continue in patt as set for 5 repeats of the lace pattern.

Reduction rows:
Continue in rib as set, working lace reduction rows as follows:
Row 1: K1, sl1, k1, psso, K9, k2tog, K1.
Row 2 and all even numbered rows: knit.
Row 3: K1, sl1, k1, psso, K7, k2tog, K1.
Row 5: K1, sl1, k1, psso, K5, k2tog, K1.
Row 7: K1, sl1, K1, psso, K3, K2tog, K1.
Row 9: K1, sl1, K1, psso, K1, K2tog, K1.
Row 11: K1, sl1, K2tog, psso, K1.

Continuing to knit the 3 sts at the top of the lace reduction row, work rib reductions as follows over each set of 15 rib stitches:
Row 1: K3, p1, p2tog, K3, p1, p2tog, K3.
Row 2: K1, K2tog, p2, K1, K2tog, p2, K1, K2tog.
Row 3: Knit

At this point, transfer work to DPNs, be sure to keep the marker in place.

Row 4: K2, p2tog, K2, p2tog, K2.
Row 5: K2tog, p1, K2tog, p1, K2tog.
Row 6: Knit.
Row 7: K1, K2tog, K2tog.
Row 8: Knit.

You should now have 18 sts left on the needle.
Work final reduction rows as follows:
Row 1: K4, K2tog.
Row 2: K3, K2tog.
Row 3: K2, K2tog.
Row 4: K1, K2tog.
Row 5: K2tog around.

Break yarn leaving a tail. Thread tail onto needle. Thread needle through remaining stitches, take stitches off needles, pull tight to close hole and secure.

Weave in ends.

Note- the photo appears quite small on this blog- a larger copy (with the lace more clearly visible) can be seen here.