The newest addition to the Manos del Uruguay family of fibers, Manos Silk Blend, arrived early last week and I knew I had to make something with it right away!  I couldn't choose between Hibisus and Henna so, I decided to make a hat using both colors (this lovely yarn is also available in multi-colors).  To add a bit of excitement to the stitch, I added a baby cable to my basic hat pattern.  It fits me perfectly and also stretches enough to fit on my boyfriend's head, but I won't make him wear it!  --Jen

• Manos Del Uruguay Silk Wool Blend.  1 skein of main color (MC) and 1 skein of contrast color (CC).  I made my hat with Henna 3049 and Hibiscus 3069.
• US size 6, 16-inch circular needle
• US size 6 double pointed needles
• stitch marker
• tapestry needle
  

 

Gauge

• 5.5 stitches per inch

To fit

• 18-19 (19-20, 20-21) inch circumference

 

pattern note

Begin hat with MC and then switch between CC and MC every eight rows.  I did not cut the yarn between colors but instead twisted the old color around the new color and carried it up the inside of the hat.

Cast On

Using your US size 6, 16-inch circular needle, cast on 96 (108, 120) stiches.  Place marker, and join into a round, being careful not to twist stitches around needle.
 

Ribbed Edge

Rounds 1 - 3:  *K1, p1 4 times, k2 p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: *K1, p1 4 times, k2tog but leave stitches on the left needle.  Insert right needle between these two stitches and knit the first stitch again, slip both stitches onto the right needle without knitting the second stitch, p2 repeat from * to end of round.

Continue in the ribbed edge pattern for 12 rows (or desired length).

hat

Rounds 1 - 3:  *K8, k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: *K8, k2tog but leave stitches on the left needle.  Insert right needle between these two stitches and knit the first stitch again, slip both stitches onto the right needle without knitting the second stitch, p2 repeat from * to end of round.

Continue until hat measures 7-7.5 (7.5-8, 8-8.5) inches from cast on edge, be sure to complete Round 4 before moving onto the crown.

 

Crown

This section can be a bit tricky because you have a lot going on - you are decreasing every other row while being sure to keep the baby cable pattern stitch going while possibly switching colors!    

Round 1: *K2tog, k6, k2, p2* repeat from * to end of round.
Round 2:  *K7, k2, p2* repeat from * to end of round.
Round 3: *K2tog, k5, k2, p2* repeat from * to end of round.
Round 4: *K6, k2tog but leave stitches on the left needle.  Insert right needle between these two stitches and knit the first stitch again, slip both stitches onto the right needle without knitting the second stitch, p2 repeat from * to end of round.


Round 5: *K2tog, k4, k2, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 6:  *k5, k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 7: *K2tog, k3, k2, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 8: *K4, k2tog but leave stitches on the left needle.  Insert right needle between these two stitches and knit the first stitch again, slip both stitches onto the right needle without knitting the second stitch, p2 repeat from * to end of round.

Round 9:   *K2tog, k2, k2, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 10:  *K3, k2, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 11:  *K2tog, k3, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 12:   *K2, k2tog but leave stitches on the left needle.  Insert right needle between these two stitches and knit the first stitch again, slip both stitches onto the right needle without knitting the second stitch, p2 repeat from * to end of round.

Round 13:   *K2tog, k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 14:   *K1, k2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 15:   *K2tog, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 16:   *K2tog but leave stitches on the left needle.  Insert right needle between these two stitches and knit the first stitch again, slip both stitches onto the right needle without knitting the second stitch, p2 repeat from * to end of round.

Round 17:   *K2tog, p2 repeat from * to end of round.
Round 18:   *K1, p2, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 19:   *K2 tog, p1, repeat from * to end of round.
Round 20:   *K2 tog repeat from * to end of round.

You will have 8 (9, 10) stitches remaining.  Using a tapestry needle, thread the end through the remaining stitches and pull tight to secure.  Weave in loose ends.