Athlete's Favorite Hat

Give it your all in the Athlete's Favorite Hat! This beautiful, patriotic blue knit hat pattern is bursting with warmth as well as American pride. This simple pattern features timeless elements that make it perfect for cheering on your favorite athlete. The Athlete's Favorite Hat is a fitted knit with an attractive ribbed edge. It's a great style for both men and women.

Easy

Knitting Needle Size8 or 5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles, Double-Pointed Knitting Needles (DPNs)

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

MATERIALS:

1 ball Heartland Yarn: Olympic
Lion Brand Double-Pointed Needles - Size 8
Boye Aluminum Circular Knitting Needles 16 inches Size 8
Lion Brand Split Ring Stitch Markers
Lion Brand Large-Eye Blunt Needles (Set of 6)

GAUGE: 17 sts = about 4 in. (10 cm) in St st worked in the rnd (k every rnd).

ABBREVIATIONS
beg = begin(s)(ning)
k2tog = knit 2 together
rep = repeat(s)(ing)
St st = Stockinette stitch
k = knit
p = purl
rnd(s) = round(s)
st(s) = stitch(es)

PATTERN STITCH
K2, p2 Rib worked in the rnd (multiple of 4 sts)
Rnd 1: *K2, p2; rep from * around.
Rep Rnd 1 for K2, p2 Rib worked in the rnd.

NOTES:

Hat is worked from lower edge up to crown (top of hat).
Hat is worked in the round, beginning with a circular needle, then changing to double pointed needles (dpns) when sts have been sufficiently decreased.
If you prefer, the entire hat can be worked on double pointed needles.

HAT
With circular needle, cast on 80 sts.
Place marker for beg of rnd. Join by working the first st on left hand needle with the working yarn from the right hand needle and being careful not to twist sts.
Work in K2, p2 Rib worked in the rnd, until piece measures about 5 1/2 in. (14 cm) from beg.
Change to St st worked in the rnd (k every rnd) until piece measures about 8 1/2 in. (21.5 cm) from beg.

Shape Crown (top of Hat)
Next (Decrease Rnd): *K8, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 72 sts at the end of this rnd.
Next Rnd: Knit, changing to double pointed needles (dpn) as follows: With first dpn, k 18 sts from circular needle, with second, third and fourth dpn, k18 from circular needle. You will have 4 dpn with 18 sts on each.
Next (Decrease Rnd): *K7, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 64 sts.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Next (Decrease Rnd): *K6, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 56 sts.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Next (Decrease Rnd): *K5, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 48 sts.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Next (Decrease Rnd): *K4, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 40 sts.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Next (Decrease Rnd): *K3, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 32 sts.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Next (Decrease Rnd): *K2, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 24 sts.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Next (Decrease Rnd): *K1, k2tog, rep from * to end of rnd - 16 sts.
Next Rnd: Knit.
Next (Decrease) Rnd: *K2tog; rep from * to end of rnd - 8 sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long yarn tail. Thread yarn tail through remaining sts and pull to gather. Knot to secure.