I set out to knit hats for this winter and began with a very simple recipe. This a women’s small hat as I made it for my teenage daughter. I cast on 84 stitches using a long tail cast on, using worsted weight wool of the andes yarn from Knit Picks. The long tail cast on is stretchy and easy to learn. You can cast on any amount of stitches as long as they are a multiple of 4.
My gauge for this is 18 stitches and 24 rows equals 4 inches by 4 inches. Anything close will do just fine for this project.
Once I cast on the stitches, I join them in the round, with my circular needle tips held together. You can use any size cable if you are willing to use the magic loop method. These circulars in my tutorial were 16 inches, not 8 inches as I stated in my video. I had to use some elements of the magic loop as it was just a slight bit too long.
Once the yarn is joined in the round, start the 2×2 ribbing. This is done by knitting two and then purling two. This is why the number of stitches cast on has to be a multiple of 4.
Continue the ribbing for two inches.
Switch to stockinette (all knitting). Continue for 4-6 inches of stockinette (6-8 inches in length overall.
Use the tapestry needle and move the stitches from the needles onto the loose yarn. Cinch the hat tightly and sew it closed. Sew on a pom pom or other decoration if you like.
Knitwerks 