SKI HAT designed by Michelle Ciccariello and Nancy Pecor Traditionally knit in colorful stripes, this style of ski hat was very popular in the 1960's and early 70's. The version pictured was designed especially for girls, and features Fair Isle motifs, but the patterns that are adaptable to this classic design, for both girls and boys, are limited only by your own imagination! Time required: about one hockey game, including round-trip travel. Might you have time to knit just one of these hats for needy child? A simple striped version in 100% wool, for warmth, would be so appreciated by a grateful child in Afghanistan. If you can help, please print off afghans for Afghans' handy Information Flyer which includes full information about where to mail your donation. Size: Head Circumference 19" Materials - Approximately 175 yards of worsted weight yarn, plus miscellaneous scraps of any contrasting colors desired. Model, pictured above, was knit using elann.com Peruvian Highland Wool. Any worsted weight wool could be substituted, and this pattern is also adaptable to other weights of yarn as well – see note below re gauge. - 3.75mm – 4.0 mm (US 5-6)16-inch circular needle, and 3.75mm – 4.0 mm (US 5-6) double pointed needles, or size needed to obtain gauge Gauge For worsted weight version shown above, 21 st/4" measured over stockinette stitch on circular needle. Method Cast on 100 stitches, knit once around and join. Knit around until length measures 5 or 6 inches. Turn bottom edge under and pick up one stitch from cast-on edge, knit it together with one stitch from needle, repeat all the way around. Hemmed edge made. Continue knitting around until hat measures 7 inches from hemmed edge to needle. Place markers at start of round and at halfway point. Begin decreases. Knit 2 together through back loops before marker and knit 2 together after marker, for each marker, on every round, no exceptions. When stitches are too few to fit around needle, move half of them to a second circular needle or switch to double pointed needles. Continue decreasing until there are only four stitches left. Break yarn and weave tail through remaining stitches. NOTE: To adapt this pattern to other weights of yarn, multiply 19" times number of stitches-per-inch. e.g. to use a yarn with a gauge of 18 st/4" (4.5 st/"), cast on 86 sts. Please note this pattern is copyrighted material and the entire contents of this pattern are copyrighted as a collective work under the copyright laws of the United States. You may print a copy of this pattern for your own personal use and enjoyment, but editing, publishing, transmitting, e-mailing, posting it to a list service or database, or otherwise commercially exploiting this pattern is strictly forbidden. Michelle Ciccariello and Nancy Pecor, USA