Here's my first finished knit of the year! I developed it from several hats and used the traditional owl cable pattern. You can make it in different colors for different types of owls - snowy owls are my model Charlotte's favorite! I used MadelineTosh DK in Birch Grey for this one and Cascade 220 Superwash in Pumpkin Spice for a brown barn owl hat (I unfortunately did not get a photo before the hat went home with its new owner). The hat shown in the photo is the larger child size and I've also given directions for a smaller child size. Because it's a loose, slouchy hat, it will also fit an adult (but tighter) by using the larger child size and adding additional length where indicated.
I have not knitted from this pattern yet - I typed it in from my notes, so if you think (or know) there's a mistake, please let me know! I knitted the smaller child's size and found a mistake already! On the decrease rows, there should be a round of straight knitting after Row 1 (the row with a 14 stitch decrease). I've corrected this in the pattern below.
Materials:
*1 skein DK weight yarn
*size 4 16" circular needle
*size 5 16" circular needle
*size 5 double pointed needles
*tapestry needle
*18 size 1/4" buttons - I made these ceramic ones
*black sewing thread and needle
Directions are for smaller child size with larger child size in the parentheses.
Cable 2 back - slip two stitches onto the cable needle and hold in back. Knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
Cable 2 front - slip two stitches onto the cable needle and hold in front. Knit the next two stitches, then knit the two stitches from the cable needle.
Start with a tubular cast on using waste yarn.
Cast On - With about 3 yards of a contrasting color of yarn, cast on 63 (67) stitches on the size 4 needle.
Row 1 - knit 1, yarn over, repeating to the last stitch, which you knit. You should have 125 (133) stitches.
Row 2 - slip the first stitch purlwise with yarn in front, move yarn to the back and knit in the previous row's yarn over. Repeat this to the last stitch, which you slip purlwise with yarn in front.
Row 3 - knit 1, slip one purlwise with yarn in front. Repeat to the last stitch, which you knit.
Row 4 - slip the first stitch purlwise with yarn in front, move yarn to the back and knit 1. Repeat to the last stitch, which you slip purlwise with yarn in front.
Row 5 - Repeat Row 3.
Row 6 - purl 1, knit 1 to last stitch, which you purl.
Row 7 - you are now working on the right side of the hat. Knit 1, purl 1 until you have one stitch left. Place a marker and knit the next two stitches together, joining to knit in the round. You should have 124 (132) stitches.
After joining, work in K1P1 rib for 1 1/2 inches - don't count the waste row in this measurement.
After you have 1 1/2 inches, remove the waste yarn.
Change to the size 5 needle on this row. Increase 10 stitches in the next round as follows:
Smaller child size - *knit 12, increase 1* repeat to last 4 stitches, which you will knit. You should have 134 stitches.
Larger child size - *knit 13, increase 1* repeat to the last 2 stitches, which you will knit. You should have 142 stitches.
Knit the next round.
Owl Rounds:
Row 1 - knit 2, *purl 10, knit 5 (6)*, repeat and end with purl 10, knit 2.
Row 2 - knit across the round.
Row 3 - knit 3, *purl 8, knit 7 (8)*, repeat and end with purl 8, knit 3.
Row 4 - knit across the round.
Rows 5 and 6 - purl 3, *knit 8, purl 7 (8)*, repeat and end with knit 8, purl 3.
Row 7 (Cable Row) - purl 3, *cable 2 back, cable 2 front, purl 7 (8)* repeat and end with cable 2 back, cable 2 front, purl 3.
Rows 8 through 16 - repeat Row 5.
Row 17 - repeat a cable row.
Rows 18 through 22 - repeat Row 5.
Row 23 - repeat a cable row.
Row 24 - purl the round.
After you have finished the Owl Rounds, knit until the hat measures 5 (5 1/2) inches. If making an adult sized hat, knit until the hat measures 7 1/2 inches. You can adjust this number up if you like a slouchier hat.
Decrease rows:
Row 1 - Decrease 14 stitches as follows:
Smaller child size - *knit 7, knit two together, knit 8, knit 2 together*, repeat to the last stitch, which you will knit. You should have 120 stitches.
Larger child size - *knit 8, knit two together*, repeat to the last 2 stitches, which you will knit. You should have 128 stitches.
Row 2 - Knit
Row 3 - *Knit 6, knit 2 together*, repeat across round.
Row 4 - Knit
Row 5 - *Knit 5, knit 2 together*, repeat across round.
Row 6 - Knit
Row 7 - *Knit 4, knit 2 together*, repeat across round.
Row 8 - Knit
Row 9 - *Knit 3, knit 2 together*, repeat across round.
Row 10 - Knit
Row 11 - *Knit 2, knit 2 together*, repeat across round.
Row 12 - Switch to the double pointed needles in this row and knit
Row 13 - *Knit 1, knit 2 together*, repeat across round.
Row 14 - Knit
Row 15 - *Knit 2 together*, repeat across round.
Row 16 - Knit
Cut off the yarn leaving about 10 inches of tail. Thread a tapestry needle and pull through all the stitches left on the needle. Remove needle and pull tight. Sew a few stitches across the pulled hole and work the yarn in.
Sew up the gap in the ribbing with the cast on tail.
Sew on buttons for the eyes.
Happy Creating! Deborah
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