Cowabunga

by Dee

My son loves wearing beanies all year around; he says it’s his signature piece of clothing. When he asked for a new beanie for the summer, I thought that the traditional Nordic designs I’ve been knitting for him didn’t scream summertime so I designed a totally tubular beanie with some tasty waves that reminds me of the beaches I’ve left behind in California. I can smell the Coppertone already. Cowabunga dude!

Size: One size fits an average adult head
Circumference: 21 inches unstretched
Length: 6.5 inches

Materials:

  • Main Color – 1 skein Heirloom Breeze [30% Wool, 69.6% Cotton, 0.4% Lycra; 95 m per 50g skein]; color: Dark Turquoise # 013;
  • Contrast Color – 1 skein Heirloom Breeze [30% Wool, 69.6% Cotton, 0.4% Lycra; 95 m per 50g skein]; color: Light Turquoise #011;
  • 1 set(s) US #6/4mm double-point needles
  • 16 inch length-inch US #6/4mm circular needle

Gauge: 26 sts/36 rows = 4″ in stockinette stitch

Notes: Using Fair Isle knitting techniques follow chart as written, catching the floats every 4th stitch or so. Note: At the end of the last repeat one extra square is to be worked in the contrast color at the end of each round.

Pattern:

Using MC and circular needle cast on 132 stitches place a marker and join into the round being careful not to twist the stitches then work a K1 P1 ribbing for one inch. Switch to St st and continue working with MC until piece measures 2 inches from cast on edge. Begin working ocean wave chart as written using the MC as the charted design and the CC as the background. Be sure to catch the floats every 4th stitch as you work. After completing the last row of the chart break off the MC and continue working in St st with the CC until hat measures 5 inches from the cast on edge. Begin decreases as follows:

Row 1:[K10, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 2 and all even rows: Knit

Row 3: [K9, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 4: Knit

Row 5: [K8, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 6: Knit

Row 7: [K7, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 8: Knit

Row 9: [K6, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 10: Knit

Row 11: [K5, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 12: Knit

Row 13: [K4, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 14: Knit

Row 15: [K3, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 16: Knit

Row 17: [K2, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 18: Knit

Row 19: [K1, k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 20: Knit

Row 21: [k2tog] repeat to end of row

Row 22: Knit

There should now be 11 stitches remaining on the needles and you have ended on a knit row. Break yarn and thread through remaining stitches and secure.
Weave in all ends and block lightly.

Pattern Chart:

ABOUT THE DESIGNER
Deanna prefers that you call her Dee. She knits too much, cleans too little, blogs a bit and lives in Chicagoland with her husband, two teenage sons and two adorable westies. She is organizing the second and now annual Heartland Knitting Retreat this December 2006 details at www.kneatles.com