New Pattern- Makalu

Handmaiden Fine Yarn Himalaya may be one of the softest bulky weight yarns ever. It insulates so well and the angora makes it a luxury to have against your skin.

I decided to name my hat pattern Makalu, after the 5th highest peak in the world that resides in the Himalaya Range. It seemed only fitting.

If you prefer to have a printer friendly PDF copy of the pattern you can download it at Ravelry.com here: download now




FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
9” x 8” after blocking, laying flat
Fits a head size 22-24”

MATERIALS
Needles:
US 11/8mm 16” circular needle
Notions:
Tapestry Needle
Stitch marker
Yarn:
Handmaiden Fine Yarn Himalaya [78% merino, 22%angora,
10% nylon; 71yd/65m per 50g skein]; 1 skein

GAUGE
13 sts= 4” in stockinette stitch

PATTERN NOTES

SL1 wyib - Slip 1 with yarn in back. Holding the yarn in back, move stitch from left hand needle to right hand needle. Bring yarn to front and continue working in pattern.

Modifying pattern: This pattern is easy to modify to achieve different sizes. The pattern is in multiples of 5, so increase or decrease the CO stitch count by 5 to adjust the hat size up or down by 2”. Adjust knitting length also according to your preferences.

PATTERN

CO 45 sts in longtail cast on. PM and join into the round being careful not to twist sts.

Round 1: (P4, K1) around
Round 2: (P4, SL 1 wyib) around

Repeat these two rounds until piece measures 6-7”, ending with a Round 1. 6” will make a hat that sits above the ears and 7” will make a hat that covers the ears.

Decreasing Rounds:
Round 1: (P2, P2TOG, K1) around- 36 sts remain.
Round 2: (P3, SL 1 wyib) around
Round 3: (P1, P2TOG, K1) around- 27 sts remain.
Round 4: (P2, SL 1 wyib) around
Round 5: (P2TOG, K1) around- 18 sts remain.
Round 6: (P1, SL 1 wyib) around
Round 7: K2TOG around, K last st- 9 sts remain.

Break yarn, and using tapestry needle weave end through live stitches. Pull yarn tight and secure end.

FINISHING
Weave in ends and block as desired. This hat will get slightly larger when wet blocked.


ABBREVIATIONS USED:
CO- cast on
P2TOG- purl 2 together
STS- stitches
K2TOG- knit 2 together
SL 1- slip 1
Wyib- with yarn in back
BO- Bind Off
PM- place marker