1. Cast on 108 stitches on circular needle sz-6, 16 inch length.. Place marker at end of round, being carefully not to twist. Switch to dpns when there are too fee stitches to work comfortably on the circular needle.

2. Work in k1, p1 rib for 12 rounds. Piece measures 1.5 inches.

3. Work the next 18 rounds in Drop Stitch Pattern as follows:

Rnd 1: Wrapping yarn twice around right needles for each stitch.
Rnd 2: Knit, dropping extra wraps from the previous round (108 sts)

1. Maintain Drop Stitch Pattern and, at the same time, start decrease

Rnd 1: k4,k2tog* repeat from * around (90 sts)

Rnd 2, 4 and 6: knit

Rnd 3: k3,k2tog* repeat from * around (72 sts)

Rnd 5: k2,k2togrepeat from around (54 sts)

NOTE:I switched to dpns after round 6. You could use 40 or 49 inch circular needles and use the “magic loop” technique

Rnd 7: k1,k2togrepeat from around (36 sts)

Rnd 8 and 10 Purl

Rnd 9: k2togrepeat from around (18sts)

Rnd 11: k2togrepeat from around (9sts)

Rnd 12: Purl

Finish measurement: 7.5 inch high

1. Break off yarn, leaving and 8 inch tail. Thread yarn through yarn needle and draw through the remaining stitches. Pull to gather, and secure on WS.

2. Weave in ends with yarn needle

NOTE: For a smaller head (21 inch), I would cast on 84 stitches and follow the same decrease pattern except Rn 11 is a k3 tog, finishing with 5 stitches on the needles.