Cast on as many stitches as you need for your head.
Knit in the round (put a marker to mark the beginning of the row). Knit in garter stitch for some 2–3 cm.
Increase row (the one you knit, not purl). Different increase patterns could be used [K2 , M1, k3 M1], [k2, M1] or any other pattern, depending on how wide or narrow your hat should be. I prefer using a long circular needles and making a magic-loop, so I can put on a hat and see if it’s OK.
The point is that for the ‘lace’ section the total number of stitches should divide by 18. After the increase row you should count your stitches and see how many of them you should still add while knitting up to the ‘lace’ section – if needed, insert those new stitches evenly along one or several rows. If, when an increase row is done, it turns out that you have only several stitches above the necessary number, just k2tog them evenly.
In short, after the increase row your total number of stitches should divide by 18, and if you got the number that doesn’t divide by 18, add / eliminate the extra stitches while you knit, just be sure to do this before you start the ‘lace’ section.
After the increase row, knit (in garter) some 8 cm from the edge. If you have a high forehead you might need more cm, just put on the hat while in process and see.
Lace
Row 1: [k1, YO, 1g, YO, k1, YO, ssk, ssk, ssk, k2tog, k2tog, k2tog, YO, k1, YO, k1, YO, k1].
Row 2: [p6, k6, p6].
Row 3: [p6, k6, p6].
Knit rows 1–3 five (5) times in total.
Row 16: [k3, ssk, ssk, ssk, k2tog, k2tog, k2tog, k3].
Row 17: [p3, k6, p3].
Row 18: [p3, k6, p3].
Row 19: [k3, ssk, k2tog, k2tog, k3].
Row 20: [p3, k3, p3].
Row 21: [p3, k3, p3].
Row 22: [k2, ssk, k1, kit2tog, k2].
Row 23: [p2, k3, p2].
Row 24: [p2, k3, p2].
Row 25: [k1, ssk, k1, k2tog, k1].
Row 26: [p1, k1, p1].
Row 27: [p1, k1, p1].
If after row 27 you still have too many stitches, on the next row k2tog along the line, then purl the next row. Repeat these two rows until you have a manageable number stitches left, cut the yarn (use a crochet or a sewing needle), put it through those remaining stitches and fasten.
Abbreviations:
k – knit
p – purl
YO – yarn over
m1 – make one
ssk – slip slip knit
k2tog – knit 2 together
| x | • | x | • | x | |||||||||||||
| x | • | x | • | x | |||||||||||||
| • | / | • | \ | • | |||||||||||||
| x | x | • | • | • | x | x | |||||||||||
| x | x | • | • | • | x | x | |||||||||||
| • | • | / | • | \ | • | • | |||||||||||
| x | x | x | • | • | • | x | x | x | |||||||||
| x | x | x | • | • | • | x | x | x | |||||||||
| • | • | • | / | / | \ | • | • | • | |||||||||
| x | x | x | • | • | • | • | • | • | x | x | x | ||||||
| x | x | x | • | • | • | • | • | • | x | x | x | ||||||
| • | • | • | / | / | / | \ | \ | \ | • | • | • | ||||||
| x | x | x | x | x | x | • | • | • | • | • | • | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| x | x | x | x | x | x | • | • | • | • | • | • | x | x | x | x | x | x |
| • | ◦ | • | ◦ | • | ◦ | / | / | / | \ | \ | \ | ◦ | • | ◦ | • | ◦ | • |
• – knit
◦ – yarn over
x – purl
/ – k2tog
\ – ssk
Giraffes 