Knit: Hat

This was meant to be a slouchy hat, but it is sort of in-between.  No matter to me, it's super cozy and I love the color (rather, the non-color).  Mushroom-grayish-brown is one of my new favorite non-colors.  And it's plenty long, so it covers my mass of crazy hair without me having to keep stretching it down.

 Supplies:

• Worsted weight yarn - I used Rowan Cocoon 80% merino 20% kid mohair...I think.  I usually have multiple projects going on simultaneously and I'm notorious for losing and/or mixing up the yarn labels.  Regardless, pick a yarn that you like and use the measurements on the label to figure out how many stitches to fit your noggin.
• Size 6 double point needles - Again...I think.  I measured my head and used the stitches/inch guide and the recommended needle size on the label.  You could probably use a circular needle, but I always work with dp needles, so I can't help you out there.

Instructions:

1) Cast on the desired number of stitches, taking care not to twist the needles.

2) Knit in single rib (k1, p1) until the piece measures about 1 inch.  If I knit this again, I would make it 2 inches.

3) Knit every row until the piece measures as long as you need it to be.  Mine ended up 10 inches.

4) Now the tricky part...  split your work evenly across 4 needles.  So, if you cast on 100 stitches, make sure you have 25 on each needle.

Needle 1 (w/ 25 stitches)

Needle 2 (w/ 25 stitches)                                             Needle 3 (w/ 25 stitches)

Needle 4 (w/ 25 stitches)

5) Bind off needle 1 and needle 4 together using a 3rd needle.  So, treat needle 1 and needle 4 as 1 needle, like you are knitting with 2 strings of yarn held together.  You will end up with yarn on 3 needles.

6) Now, just work with needle 2 back and forth, until it is 2 inches longer.

7) Bind off needle 2 and needle 3 together.

8) Weave in the ends, and wash/block.

Need help washing/blocking?  Fill a clean sink with lukewarm water and a few drops of Dreft detergent (It's gentle and smells soooo much better than Woolite.  Sort of like fresh babies.  Instead of wet dog.).  Gently push the hat through the soapy water, but don't twist or scrunch or ball up.  Drain the sink and use cool water to rinse all of the soap out.  Gently squeeze the excess water out and lay on a dry towel.  Gently (notice the repetitive use of "gently"?) roll the hat up with the towel, getting the rest of the water out.  Lay the piece out on another dry towel, and shape how you want it.  You can even use stainless safety pins to pin into place as it dries.