How I did it: 1 skein of Manos del Uruguay wool.
#10 DPNs (I hate circulars, don't ask)
Cast on 84 st
K4, P4 for 8 rounds (ribbing)
Knit 3 rounds
cable round [k2, put two stitches on the cable needle, k2, then knit the skipped 2 on the cable needle]
Knit until it's as tall as you like

Start decreasing on a cable row using a smaller size needles.
k2tog, cable 4 st, repeat to end of round
then k3, k2tog until ~12 st remain.

Break yarn and thread the tail through the last stitches with a needle. Weave in the tails.

This made a women's medium hat. I made a second hat for a guy friend, and cast on 90st for that one.

Lessons & tips: Don't let the fancy end look intimidate you. It's really simple. Cable needles are only a few bucks. You could also use a stitch holder or similar short stick in a pinch.

Resources: Set of cable stitch holders from Clover - $3.50 and you get 3 sizes/thicknesses of holder.

Feb 12, 2009, 12:32PM PST | 0 comments | 1 cheer