Free Knit Pattern: Head Cozy



Skill level
Intermediate

Materials
5 size 8 double pointed needles
1 skein Manos del Uruguay (MDU) variegated yarn (100% wool [merino & corriedale blend], 100g, 138 yds)
1 skein Debbie Bliss Pure Cashmere (DBPC) (100% cashmere, 25g, 49 yds)
Stitch marker
2 stitch holders
Tapestry needle
Size F crochet hook

Gauge:  4 stitches = 1 inch

Techniques used:  Double knit (scroll down for instructions/video of this technique) or visit Stitch Diva Studios' tutorial on double knitting.

Body
c/o 76 using a strand of MDU and DBPC held together, dividing stitches evenly on each needle (19 stitches per needle)
Round 1:  Attach stitch marker to show beginning of round.  K1 with yarns held together, then double knit remaining stitches in Round
Rounds 2-8:  Double knit using MDU and DBPC
Round 9:  With MDU & DBPC held together, p19, inc 1, p19, inc 1, p19, inc 1, p19, inc 1.  (80 stitches). Cut DBPC at end of round, leaving a tail to weave in ends.
Round 10 (pigtail holes)*:  K15, slip 5 stitches onto stitch holder, c/o 5, k40, slip 5 stitches onto stitch holder, c/o 5, k15
Rounds 11-14:  Knit all stitches
Round 15:  Purl all stitches
Rounds 16-20:  Knit all stitches
Round 21:  Purl all stitches

* These instructions place the pigtail holes approx. 9" apart, which could be a bit wide depending on how you wear your pigtails.  To customize the placement, one inch is 4 stitches, so figure out how far apart you want them and knit accordingly.  For example, if you want your holes to be 7" apart, k11 instead of 15 at the beginning of the round, make your hole, k48, make your second hole, and k11.

Top Shaping
Round 22:  K2tog, k8, k2tog, k8
Round 23:  Knit all stitches
Round 24:  K2tog, k7, k2tog, k7
Round 25:  Knit all stitches
Round 26:  K2tog, k6, k2tog, k6
Round 27:  Purl all stitches
Round 28:  K2tog, k5, k2tog, k5
Round 29:  Knit all stitches
Round 30:  K2tog, k4, k2tog, k4
Round 31:  Knit all stitches
Round 32:  K2tog, k3, k2tog, k3
Round 33:  Purl all stitches
Round 34:  K2tog, k2, k2tog, k2
Round 35:  Knit all stitches
Round 36:  K2tog, k1, k2tog, k1
Round 37:  Knit all stitches
Round 38:  K2tog, k2tog, k2tog, k2tog
Round 39:  Purl all stitches
Keep remaining stitches on needle

Finishing
Leave a 10" tail.  Using your tapestry needle, run the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight.  Weave in tail and other ends.

Loop:  Crochet a chain of 10-12.  Tie off and attach to top of hat, weave in ends.

Pigtail holes:  Slip 5 stitches from stitch holder onto needle.  Pick up and knit 10 stitches around the hole, distributing the stitches evenly on 3 needles (15 stitches).  Knit 1 row, b/o purl-wise.  Weave in ends.

Alternatives
Pony tail hole:  In Round 9, knit to last 4 stitches, slip these onto stitch holder, and slip the first four stitches of Round 10 onto same holder (8 stitches on holder).  Cast on 8 and continue as for pigtail version.  Finish the ponytail hole as for the pigtail holes.

No holes:  Knit the hat as written and don't allow for any holes.

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Copyright 2007 Holly West