Helmet Hat - October 2003

Be toasty this fall in this great looking helmet hat. How do you like to wear your flaps??

Size: Average head size

Materials:
TLC Essentials by Coats & Clark, 1 skein (Shown in Light Plum, color #2531)
5.5 mm/9 knitting needles
5 mm/H-8 crochet hook
Yarn or tapestry needle (blunt point) for finishing

Gauge: 15 stitches and 20 rows = 4" (10 cm)

First Earflap:
Cast on 7 stitches (sts).
Row 1: (Wrong side) Purl (p).
Row 2: Knit (k), increase 1 st each end of needle on this and every alternate row 3 time. End with knit row. Leave these 15 sts on spare needle.

Second Earflap:
Work as for First Earflap. Do not break yarn. Proceed as follows:
Turn. Cast on 9 sts. Purl across these and 15 sts of Second Earflap.
Cast on 32 st then pick up and purl the 15 sts of the First Earflap.
Cast on 9 sts. 80 sts.

Continue in Stockinette stitch until work from beginning measures 4" (10 (cm), end with Right Side (k) facing for next row.

Shape Top:
Continue in Stockinette stitch and proceed as follows:
Row 1: K 6 (k2tog, k1, k2tog, k11) 4 times. K2tog, k1, k2tog, k5.
Row 2: and alternate rows: P
Row 3: K5. (k2tog, k1, k2tog, k9) 4 times. K2tog, k1, k2tog, k4.
Row 5: K4. (k2tog, k1 k2tog, k7) 4 times. K2tog, k1, k2tog, k3. 50 sts.
Continue decrease pattern until there are 20 sts.
P one row.
Next: K2tog to end of row. 10 sts.
Work another 3 rows in Stockinette stitch. Cut yarn, leaving a long end. Draw end through remaining sts and fasten securely. Sew center back seam. With crochet hook, work 1 row of single crochet around bottom edge of hat.

Twisted Cord: Make 3
Cut 3 strands of yarn 56" long. Fold in half. Hold one end and with someone holding the other end, twist strands to the right until they begin to curl. Fold the 2 ends together and tie in a knot so they will not unravel. The strands will now twist themselves together. Adjust length if desired. Attach one to the top of the hat and one to each earflap.

Tassels: Make 3
Cut a piece of cardboard 4.5" (11 cm) wide. Wind yarn around cardboard 15 times. Cut yarn leaving a long end and thread end through a yarn needle. Slip needle through all loops and tie tightly. Remove cardboard and wind yarn tightly around loops 1" (2 cm) below fold. Fasten securely. Cut through remaining loops and trim ends evenly. Attach one tassel to each end of twisted cord.