Traffic Cone?

In apology for not posting (I've been working on Iuliia, a backpack that will be here in another week or so), I present you Giina's hat.

Traffic Cone?

I was randomly making hats for friends at school when Steven (nicknamed Giina) asked me for one. I can’t say no to crazy, outgoing, charismatic people. When I asked what kind of hat he’d want, he said I had permission to use artistic license. Then I asked if he wanted “normal” or “able to be seen from 300 yards”. Guess which one he picked.

Pattern Notes: This hat is designed to be completely original and to suit the wearer’s personality. I assume most people won’t want hats with “GIINA” all around them, so I left out the 90 stitch by 25 rounds pf chart. Also, Red Heart Super Saver acrylic doesn’t block very well, I was on a tight budget (read: yarn vs. food). I’d suggest any other strong worsted weight yarn. The pattern can be easily changed to fit your gauge using multiples of three; the decreases do not affect the wear-ability of the hat and occur after the hat is large enough to fit on the head.

Materials:
1 skein Red Heart Super Saver in Pumpkin (7 oz, 364 yards)
Additional yarn for crochet border (I used Red Heart Super Saver in Black)
8 US (5.00mm) 16’ circular
8 US (5.00mm) dpns, set of 4
H (5.00mm) crochet hook
3 stitch markers
Pom-pom maker

Abbreviations:
k – knit
p – purl
k2tog – knit 2 together
ssk – slip as to knit, slip as to purl, knit 2 slipped stitches together
m1F – pick yarn between stitches from front, knit into back loop
m1B – pick yarn between stitches from back, knit into front loop
stocking stitch – on straight needles, knit right side rows, purl wrong side rows
on circular needles, knit every round

Pattern:
Earflaps [make 2]:
Using 2 dpns (as straight needles), cast on 3 stitches.
Row 1: p all stitches
Row 2: k1, m1F, k1, m1B, k1
Row 3: p all stitches
Row 4: k1, m1F, k to last stitch, m1B, k1
Repeat rows 3 and 4 ten times (25 stitches on needle)
Work 7 rows of stocking stitch (ending on a purl row), do not bind off

Body of Hat:
Using circular needles, cast on 10 stitches. Slip the 25 stitches from the first earflap onto the needle, making sure the right side faces outward. Cast on 20 stitches, slip the other ear on. Cast on 10 more stitches, and place a stitch marker for beginning of the round. There should be 90 stitches on the needle.
Work the body of the hat in stocking stitch until it long enough (or about an inch short, depending how tall you want the pointy bit) for the head it will fit. This is a good time to throw in some quirky intarsia. Be creative. Before beginning the decreasing rounds, place a stitch marker every 30 stitches.

Decreasing Rounds (switch to dpns when needed):
Round 1: k2tog; knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk, slip maker, k2tog; knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk, slip maker, k2tog; knit to 2 stitches before marker, ssk.
Round 2: k all stitches
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 12 stitches remain.
Knit next 2 rounds.
Repeat rounds 1 and 2.
Cut yarn, weave through 6 remaining stitches and tie off.

Finishing:
Single crochet edging around the bottom of the hat, as well as a tie at the bottom of the ear flaps. Make 2 pom-poms and attach them to the bottom of the earflap ties.
Weave in ends.