Ian's Chullo

This weekend found me puzzling over patterns trying to find something just right to knit for my dear little neighbor Ian who is turning one on Saturday. Something sporty. Something international (he's already been to the Alps for goodness sake!). And something warm since he is happiest when outside. But no pattern in my collection would do. This little guy needed a hat as unique as he is.


Since Ian has not received his present yet, our model is young David who is almost 2-years-old. He was not thrilled to be wearing this hat and thus, we have some blurry pictures. I will post pictures of Ian after Saturday. Enjoy the pattern and please send me any improvements, corrections, or comments about the pattern since it is my first!

Ian’s Chullo

Materials
Yarn: 1 skein of O-Wool Saffron [MC], 1 skein of O-Wool Oatmeal [CC]
Needles: US 6 circular needles, 16 inch and set of 5 US 6 double pointed needles
Notions: stitch marker, 2 stitch holders, crochet hook, tapestry needle

Size
The pattern is written to fit a one-year-old – a 17 ½ inch diameter. You should be able to adjust the size by going up a needle size (medium) or by adding a pattern repeat (large).

Gauge
19 sts / 25 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

Notes
sl 2 tog k1 PSSO Decrease: Slip two stitches together knitwise, knit the next stitch, pass the slipped stitches over. Execute this after the last pattern stitch on the right side of the chart. The knitted stitch in the decrease should always be in the MC.
Single Crochet Bind-Off: Insert crochet hook into next live stitch on needle as if to knit, yo hook and draw loop through stitch, remove stitch from needle, *leaving loop on hook, insert hook into next live stitch, yo hook and draw loop through stitch (2 loops on hook), remove stitch from needle, yo hook and draw through both loops; rep from * until all stitches are bound off.

Earflaps
CO 5 stitches in MC.
Begin Stockinette Stitch.
Make 2 stitches on each side of every right side row until you have 15 stitches.
Knit until earflap measures 3 inches. Break yarn and place stitches on holder.
Repeat for second earflap.

Hat Body
Using a cable cast on, CO 77 stitches in Contrasting Color.
Join for knitting in the round by slipping the first CO stitch from the right needle to the left needle and place marker on right needle. Purl this stitch together with the last CO stitch.
Purl 2 rounds.
Switch to MC. Knit 11 stitches.
Place earflap stitches on a double pointed needle and knit these stitches together with the next 15 stitches of the hat. (Make sure the right side of the earflap matches the right side of the hat.)
Knit 24 stitches.
Attach the left earflap as with the right.
Knit 11 stitches to finish the round.

Knit 5 rounds then follow colorwork chart one, making sure to keep an even tension while stranding the yarns. Alert! Knit Chart One as if the red line was not there. Begin the round from the far right side of the chart.

Knit in MC until hat measures 5 inches from CO edge.

Crown
Still in MC, decrease 4 stitches evenly (k17 k2tog, repeat).
Switch to CC. Knit 1 round, then purl 2 rounds.
Switch to MC, Knit 1 round.

Follow colorwork chart two using sl 2 tog k1 PSSO decrease (see notes).
When 8 stitches remain, k2tog around – 4 stitches remain.

Tube
Knit these 4 stitches as an i-cord for as long as desired.
Break yarn leaving a 6 inch tail. Thread a tapestry needle with the end, slip stitches from dpn onto the tapestry needles and draw together. Fasten off.

Finishing
With 3 dpn, pick up and knit stitches along the right earflap in CC.
Purl the next row.
Using a crochet hook and the single crochet method (see notes), BO all stitches.
Attach earflap edging behind the CC brim of hat.
Repeat for the left earflap.
Weave in all ends and block well.
Begin round in Chart One on far right side. Ignore the red line and the words underneath. Doh!

Follow the Chart directions for where to begin the round for Chart Two -- begin at the red line. I'll try to correct Chart One ASAP!