double dutch, an easy double-stranded free hat pattern

  

The more hats I knit for charity, the more I knew I needed a fast, go-to hat pattern that could use leftover bits of worsted weight yarn I had on hand. Worsted weight hats are great, but sometimes you just want to churn out a large number of hats in a short amount of time--and that's when bulky yarn is awesome. But what to do if you don't have bulky weight yarn? Double-stranding to the rescue! Double stranding is just holding two yarns as you knit. It is a fantastic technique for creating heavier gauges and for busting through stash at a faster rate.  

 

Double Dutch hat

Needles: size 10 / 6 mm (I use circular needles with 40" cable and magic loop, but choose whatever circular needle method you prefer)

Yarn: 100 grams of worsted weight yarn, split into two colors 
 (the large size used 41 gram of each color)

Size: Small (finished size, 16.5 " circumference, fits up to a size 19" head)
Large (finished size, 18" circumference, fits up to a size 23" head)

Gauge: 4 stitches per inch in stockinette

(Any modifications for size large in parentheses throughout)

CO 56 (64) 
Begin ribbed brim: K1, P1 around. Continue ribbing until reaches 1.5 inches.

Next round: Knit.  Continue in stockinette until hat measures 4.5 (6) inches from cast on edge.

Begin crown decreases. (size small skips to Round 3)
Round 1: * K6, K2tog; Repeat from * to end. 56 stitches
Round 2: Knit
Round 3: *K5, K2tog; repeat from * to end. 48 stitches
Round 4: Knit
Round 5: *K4, K2tog; repeat from * to end. 40 stitches
Round 6: Knit
Round 7: *K3, K2tog; repeat from * to end. 32 stitches
Round 8: Knit
Round 9: *K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end. 24 stitches
Round 10: *K1, K2tog; repeat from * to end. 16 stitches
Round 11: *K2tog; repeat from * to end. 8 stitches
Round 12: *K2tog; repeat from * to end. 4 stitches

Break yarn and seam through final four stitches, pulling tight to close top of hat. Seam in ends.