SmoothFox's Cool Skull Hat for Guys and Gals- free pattern

Photo courtesy of Kelly Albrecht

SmoothFox’s Cool Skull Hat for Guys and Gals

Yarn: 4-ply Medium Worsted

Color A:   (main colour for background)

Color B:  (colour for skulls)

Needle Size:  US 7 – 4.5 mm 20” circular needle or 16” circular needle

                      US 8 – 5 mm - 16" or 20" circular needles and 1 set of dpn

Skill level:  Intermediate

Gauge: 5 stitches and 5 Rounds to 1 inch (2.5 cm)

Hat Size: Teen/Woman, Man

Adult hat circumference – 19” (48 cm) - CO is 96

Adult Large hat circumference - 21.5” (54.5 cm) - CO is 108

Notions: Stitch Markers plus 1 distinct from the others to show beginning of round plus a yarn needle to weave ends.

* If you are not familiar with the ssk (slip slip knit) decrease stitch, here is a video demonstrating the technique used. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RGwcYW3GG3M&feature=related

* For color stranding longer than 3 sts, please familiarize yourself with this video to avoid holes in your project.  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B33SUeSwubE&feature=related

* The above are videos I found on the web.  They are not my videos.  

My Ravelry Store: http://www.ravelry.com/stores/smoothfox-crochet-designs

My Etsy Store: http://SmoothFox.etsy.com

My Crochet & Knit related gifts: http://zazzle.com/smoothfox*

My blog: http://smoothfoxlover.blogspot.com/  

If you want a .pdf copy of this pattern which includes the chart or if you make this item – please click on this link below and add your own pictures as a project on Ravelry. Just click on the crochet hook with the words “Hook It” if this is a crochet pattern or if it is a knit pattern click on the words “Cast On” near the top right side and this will add your item as a project. Then you can add the pictures when you have completed your project.

 http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/free-smoothfoxs-cool-skull-hat-for-guys-and-gals

Thank you once again MarieAnge Brouillard aka MariAngel (ravelry id) for all of your wonderful help with this pattern. 

INSTRUCTIONS for size changes are within ( )

With smaller needles and color A and using the long-tail method, CO on for 96 (108) sts, place marker and join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Round 1 thru 6: Work 6 rounds of (colour A) K2, (color B) P2 ribbing

SWITCH TO LARGER NEEDLES HERE

Round 7: (color A) knit around

Round 8: (color A) K12, *insert marker, K12* repeat from * around

Smoothfox's Cool Skull Hat for Guys and Gals Hat at Tricksy Knitter

Round 35:  *(color A) knit around

Measure hat to see if it is the approximate length you’d like.  Hat should measure approximately 6.5” to 7.5” [16.5 to 19 cm] before decreasing depending on your preferences. Repeat round 35 as many times as needed before you begin the decrease rounds. 

On the last repeat of round 35, stop when there are 2 stitches before the beginning marker. From here on, this will be the first 2 stitches on each round. Do not remove the markers!

DECREASE ROUNDS:

Please ensure that the first marker that marks the beginning of the round is of a different color than the rest. Each round begins 2 stitches before the first marker.

OPTIONAL:  If you desire, alternate between color A and color B every stitch for all the decrease and knit rounds. IE: Color A-K1, Color B-K1 

Round 1: k2 stitches, slip marker, k12, *slip marker, k12* repeat around. Stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker. (8 [9] markers, and 8 [9] sections with 12 stitches between each marker)

Round 2: Decrease round Beginning with the 2 stitches before the first marker, k2tog, slip marker, *ssk, k8, k2tog,slip marker,* repeat from * to * around. Stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker. (8 [9] k2tog, 8 [9] ssk, total of 10 stitches between each marker)

Round 3 and 4: k2 stitches, slip marker, k12, *slip marker, k12* repeat around. Stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker. (10 stitches between markers)

Round 5: Decrease round Beginning with the 2 stitches before the first marker, k2tog, slip marker, *ssk, k6, k2tog,slip marker,* repeat from * to * around. Stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker. (8 [9] k2tog, 8[9] ssk, total of 8 stitches between each marker)

Round 6 and 7: k2 stitches, slip marker, k12, *slip marker, k12* repeat around, stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker.  (8 stitches between markers)

Round 8: Decrease round Beginning with the 2 stitches before the first marker, k2tog, slip marker, *ssk, k4, k2tog,slip marker,*, repeat from * to * around. Stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker.  (8 [9] k2tog, 8[9] ssk, total of 6 stitches between each marker)

Round 9 and 10: k2 stitches, slip marker, k12, *slip marker, k12* repeat around, stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker.  (6 stitches between markers)

Round 11: Decrease round Beginning with the 2 stitches before the first marker, k2tog, slip marker, *ssk, k2, k2tog,slip marker,*, repeat from * to * around. Stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker. (8 [9] k2tog, 8 [9] ssk, total of 4 stitches between each marker)

Round 12 and 13: k2 stitches, slip marker, k12, *slip marker, k12* repeat around, stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker. (4 stitches between markers)

Round 14: Decrease round Beginning with the 2 stitches before the first marker,

k2tog, slip marker, *ssk, k2, k2tog,slip marker,*, repeat from * to * around. Stop when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker.(8 [9] k2tog, 8 [9] ssk, total of 4 stitches between each marker)

You may opt to do one more decrease round before finishing off.

Cut yarn leaving an 8" (20 cm) tail. Using a large eyed darning needle run thread through remaining stitches and fasten off. Weave in ends and finish off.

Created by

Donna Mason-Svara aka SmoothFoxLover@yahoo.com 2011

This pattern has been tested.  Please notify me of any pattern corrections. I will answer any and all questions you may have with the instructions.  Do not plagiarize this pattern.  All patterns are my original designs. Please do not re-sell my patterns or give them away for free or post my patterns on the Internet. You may sell items you make from my patterns at craft fairs, fund raisers or custom orders for friends and family but please do not sell finished items on the internet without my written permission. Do not claim designs as your own.

This pattern is copyrighted by me and I give my permission for you to post pictures of items made from my pattern on your website if you will post a link back to my Ravelry store if the pattern is for sale.  If the pattern is free, please direct people to my Blog.  Be sure to list the name SmoothFox as the designer.