Super warm, reversible hat!

What I did (due to my thicker yarn and large head):

Cast on 90 sts using size 5 US needles. I changed the turning edge round of the band. Instead of all purl stitches, I did:

(P2tog, YO)^ Repeat from ^ around.

This results in a very pretty picot edge when you turn under the hem. I hemmed the edge underneath by hand using sewing thread. This is flatter, quicker, easier and results in a better appearance than the method recommended in the pattern - at least for me.

I used 8 contrasting colors of 44-year-old leftover yarn. It’s 100% wool, washable and moth-proof. After all these years, I know the label was telling the truth. Not a single moth has found this appetizing over the years. I wonder what they put on it to make it mothproof? It feels a bit strange, but wears like iron, and washes well. Glad I bought every color available back in 1970. You’ll need less than 13 yards of each contrasting color. This yarn was originally sold in 4-oz. skeins.

After completing the band, I switched to size 6 US needles for one round - the initial increase round.

The remainder of the hat was knit with size 7 US needles.

Purl rounds: Did 5 rounds per pattern

Knit rounds: Did 5 rounds in each of the Contrasting Colors. Then switched back to Main Color and did another round of KNIT stitches before doing the 5 rounds of PURL stitches. This makes a nice smooth transition between each strip of color.

I did only 7 repeats before the final decrease section. If I make this hat again, I’ll do some decreasing sooner and more gradually rather than all at the end. I don’t really like the bunching at the crown, though it would be more acceptable with finer yarn. I think the hat would look better knit in DK, sport or fingering weight yarn, but it still turned out cute.

If you want to make the hat reversible, be sure to break your yarn at every color change, rather than carry the main color all the way up to the top. The hat actually looks just as good on the “wrong” side if you weave in your ends neatly.

Really love the Vanna’s Choice Tweed colors which are not always found in all Michael’s or Jo-Ann retail stores. (They contain a bit less yardage than the regular Vanna’s Choice solids and heathers.) I happened to be shopping in a Jo-Ann Super Store in Concord, CA when I saw this great colorway on sale. It’s also available online or can be special ordered at Michael’s or Jo-Ann.