Topper-Down Hat by Lynn DT Hershberger

Topper-Down Hat

Knitting
November 2008
Aran (8 wpi) ?
18 stitches and 30 rows = 4 inches
in stockinette in the round
150 - 200 yards (137 - 183 m)
Sm. Child/Adult XS, Med Child/Adult Sm., Lg. Child/Adult Med., Adult Lg., Adult XL. To fit heads 17˝, 18˝, 20˝ 22˝, 23.5˝ (43.2, 45.7, 50.8, 55.9, 59.7cm). Finished hats appx. 13.33˝, 14.25˝, 16˝, 17.75˝, 19.5˝. (34, 36.2, 40.6, 45, 50cm)
English
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Easy to adjust as you knit, with hints all the way. Start with a small square at the top, increase until you reach the right size. Use my gauge and stitch counts to reach a standard size, or improvise a bit (there are included knit-to-fit instructions)! Stripe it or not.

Sizes: Sm. Child/Adult XS, Med Child/Adult Sm., Lg. Child/Adult Med., Adult Lg., Adult XL. To fit heads 17”, 18”, 20”, 22”, 23.5”, (43.2, 45.7, 50.8, 55.9, 59.7cm). Finished hats appx. 13.33”, 14.25”, 16”, 17.75”, 19.5”. (34, 36.2, 40.6, 45, 50cm). Knitted hats must be 10-20% smaller than the head to stay on; these sizes are calculated in the ballpark of 15% less than target head size.

Yarn: If using my stitch counts/gauge; 1 (1, 1, 1, 2) 50gm ball of MC1 (Main Color) aran or heavy worsted-weight yarn, solid or nearly-solid color, with appx. 95-104 yd to 100gm). 1 (1, 1, 1, 1) 50gm ball of Contrasting Color (CC), I actually used just under 25gm for one Adult Large. Same number of grams for thinner yarns.

Sample in photo used Di.Ve’ Autunno (MC) 46391 and Cascade Cloud 9 (CC); also I have used Araucania Toconao, Turquoise 503 and Pink 504, and Needful yarns Cara Mia 13352 dark grey (MC) & 13777 bright green (a thinner yarn than stated gauge).

Yarn Substitutes: Anything warm and soft in DK- to Bulky-weight yarn.
If using my gauge/stitch counts: Malabrigo Merino Worsted, Southwest Trading Karaoke solid, Louisa Harding Kashmir Aran, Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran, Queensland Collection Kathmandu Aran, yarns rated 4 to 4.5 st/inch or labeled Aran wt.

Needles: 1 set (of five) size 4.5 mm / 7 US double-pointed needles (DPNs) at least 7” long, (or adjust needle size to achieve gauge if using my numbers), optional circular needles same size with cable 12-16”.
-OR- needles 2 sizes smaller than suggested on the yarn’s ball band if using DK-, Worsted- or Bulky-weight yarn.

Gauge: Stitch counts given for Appx. 18 st / 4 inches and 30 rows / 4 inches, stockinette in the round (or knit to fit at another gauge). If necessary, change needle size to adjust appropriately. Make sure your yarn will make a dense enough fabric to block the wind.

Notions: Large eyed needle for finishing ends; (1) coilless safety pin or pin-like stitch marker; (4) additional stitch markers of any sort to fit needle.

Note: The last two images were knit by my students, the last one in Noro Kureyon and the one above it in Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran.