SmoothFox's Happy Skull Hat for Little Pirate Girls and Boys - free pattern

  

Photo courtesy of MarieAnge Brouillard aka MariAngel (ravelry id)
SmoothFox’s Happy Skull Hat for Little Pirate Girls and Boys

 

Created by Donna Mason-Svara aka SmoothFox  ©2011  Version 4.0

Vanna's Choice - Soft 4-ply medium worsted

Color A: Aqua (main colour for face)

Color B: Fern (2^nd colour for background)

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

                     US 8 – 5 mm  - 20” circular needle or 16” circular needle

                     US 8 – 5 mm - 1 set of double-pointed needles

Skill level:  Intermediate

Gauge: 5 stitches and 5 Rounds to 1 inch (2.5 cm)
Hat Sizes: Preemie, Baby, Toddler
Preemie hat circumference 12”  (30.50 cm) - CO is 60
Baby hat circumference – 14.5”  (36.75 cm) – CO is 72
Toddler hat circumference – 16” (40.5 cm) - CO is 84

Notions: Stitch Markers, Yarn Needle

Stitches Used:
K               Knit
K2tog        Knit 2 stitches together
*Ssk          Slip 1 stitch knitwise, slip 2^nd stitch knitwise, knit both stitches together
PM            Place marker
Slip Marker  move marker from one needle to the other when you encounter it in the round.

* 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

SPECIAL STITCHES
** 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, want 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-happy-skull-hat-for-little-pirate-girls-and-boys

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 60 [72, 84] 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.

Use 1 marker that is distinct from the others to show the beginning of the round.

SmoothFox's Happy Skull Hat For Little Pirate Girls and Boys Hat at Tricksy Knitter

Round 29:  *(color A) knit around

Measure hat to see if it is the approximate length you’d like. Hat measurements are approx 5.5” [14 cm] (6” [15.25 cm], 6.5” [16.5 cm]) before decreasing depending on your preferences. Repeat round 29 as many times as needed before your decrease rounds begin.  Proceed to decrease rounds.

On the last repeat of round 29, stop when there are 2 stitches left before the beginning marker. From here on, these will be the first 2 stitches of each round. Do not remove the markers.

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.

DECREASE ROUNDS:

OPTIONAL:  Alternate between color A and color B every stitch for all decrease and knit rounds.  IE: Color A-K1, Color B-K1

NOTE - The 2 stitches at the beginning before the marker are actually the last 2 stitches of the previous round. On the decrease rounds, those 2 stitches will be knit together, then the stitch marker slipped from one needle to the other, followed by the ssk decrease.

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. (5 [6, 7] markers, and 5 [6, 7] 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. (5[6,7] k2tog, 5[6, 7] ssk, total of 10 stitches between each marker)

Round 3: 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 4: Decrease round Beginning with the 2 stitches before marker 1, 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. (5[6,7] k2tog, 5[6, 7] ssk, total of 8 stitches between each marker)

Round 5: 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 6: Decrease round Beginning with the 2 stitches before marker 1, 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. (5[6,7] k2tog, 5[6, 7] ssk, total of 6 stitches between each marker)

Round 7: 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 8: Decrease round Beginning with the 2 stitches before the first marker, k2tog, slip marker, *ssk, k2, k2tog,slip marker,*, repeat from * to * around. when you have reached the first 2 stitches before the beginning marker. (5[6,7] k2tog, 5[6, 7] ssk, total of 4 stitches between each marker)

Round 9: 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 10: 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. (5[6,7] k2tog, 5[6, 7] ssk, total of 2 stitches between each marker)

Optional: You may take one more decrease round for the toddler hat if needed.

Cut yarn leaving an 8" 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.