Keiyla's Basic Beanie

So I've been making hats for a while, and I've almost always used someone else's pattern. But there was always something not quite "right" with them. Oh, they're good patterns, but...

For example, Ellen's basic hat has two inches of 2x2 ribbing. Too much ribbing, I think, for it to lie flat, but if the ribbing is flipped up, the purls above and underneath like to come along for the ride and peep through.

If I rib the entire hat, not only does it take forever, but the decreases always look a little off, to me. Of course, if I don't rib at all, the brim curls.

My solution: Keiyla's Basic Beanie. An inch of ribbing, not intended to fold up. The ribbing is 1x1, so it's not as pronounced as the 2x2, and to a casual observer may not even look like ribbing.

I used Noro for this one. This is the first time I've used Noro, and I love the gradual color shifts, but was surprised and disappointed in the purple that popped up in this colorway- guys tend to get a little weirded out by purple and I dunno what the recipient is going to think.

Gauge: 4 st/in and 6.5 rows/in
US Size 8, 16" circs and size 8 dpns.

Stitches used: knit, purl, k2tog.

Final dimensions: 19" circumference x 8 .75"

Cast on 80 with rib cable cast on.

K1, p1 for one inch.

Knit around until beanie measures 6-7 inches from edge.

Place stitch marker.

Begin decrease rounds:

1. *knit 8, k2tog* repeat, around.

2. (and every even row) knit around.

3. *knit 7, k2tog* repeat around.

5. *knit 6, k2tog* repeat around.

7. *knit 5, k2tog* repeat around.

9. *knit 4, k2tog* repeat around.

11. *knit 3, k2tog* repeat around.

13. *knit 2, k2tog* repeat around.

15. *knit 1, k2tog* repeat around.

17. *k2tog* around.

Break yarn, thread end into tapestry needle, weave needle through remaining 8 stitches. Push needle through to underside of hat, weave through a few more times to secure and fasten off.