Boucle Ponytail Hat

BOUCLE PONYTAIL HAT (knit)

Ponytail not required--looks good without one too!

Skill level: Easy

Size: Stretches to fit a range of sizes

Teen/Adult hat: approx. circumference 21" (unstretched)

Child hat: approx. circumference 15" (unstretched)

Materials:

Teen/Adult: 80 yds. bulky wool/acrylic-blend boucle yarn (or other bulky yarn) Child: 50 yds. bulky wool/acrylic-blend boucle yarn (or other bulky yarn)

(Sample shown in Plymouth Yarns "Rimini Rainbow")

Teen/Adult: Size 13 circular needle (24") and set of size 13 dpn

Child: Size 13 circular needle (16") and set of size 13 dpn

Size K crochet hook (for chain tie)

Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Gauge: 2 sts = 1" in stockinette stitch in the round on size 13 needles

Stitches/Terms: bind off (BO), cast on (CO), chain (ch), decrease (dec), knit (K), knit two together (K2tog), purl (P),repeat (rep), round (rnd), stitch (st), stockinette stitch (st st), yarn over (yo)

Teen/Adult Hat

With circular needle, cast on 42 sts. Join for circular knitting, being careful that stitches are not twisted on needle. Place marker to note beginning of rounds.

Knit around until hat measures 7" from beginning.

Begin decreases (Note: change to double-pointed needles when stitches no longer fit comfortably on circular needle.)

Next round (decrease round): *K5, K2tog, rep from * around (36 sts)

Knit 1 round even (36 sts)

Next round (decrease round): *K4, K2tog, rep from * around (30 sts)

Knit 1 round even (30 sts)

Next round (eyelet round): *K2tog, yo, rep from * around.

Knit 1 round even (30 sts)

Begin ribbed top: *K1, P1, rep from * around (30 sts)

Repeat last round twice (total 3 rounds of rib section)

Bind off in K1, P1 rib pattern. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Chain Tie: With size K crochet hook, chain 90. Fasten off. Thread yarn tail into yarn needle and weave chain tie through eyelet round. Tie ends of chain into knots and secure yarn tails inside knot. Pull to gather top of hat, leaving an opening for ponytail. Tie chain in a bow.

Child-size Hat

With circular needle, cast on 30 sts. Join for circular knitting, being careful that stitches are not twisted on needle. Place marker to note beginning of rounds

Knit around until hat measures 5" from beginning.

Begin decreases (Note: change to double-pointed needles when stitches no longer fit comfortably on circular needle.)

First decrease round: *K3, K2 tog, rep from * around (24 sts)

Knit 1 round even (24 sts)

Second decrease round: *K2, K2tog, rep from * around (18 sts)

Knit 1 round even (18 sts)

Next round (eyelet round): *K2tog, yo, rep from * around.

Knit 1 round even (18 sts)

Begin ribbed top: *K1, P1, rep from * around (18 sts)

Repeat last round once.

Bind off in K1, P1 rib pattern. Cut yarn and weave in ends.

Chain Tie: With size K crochet hook, chain 70. Fasten off. Thread yarn tail into yarn needle and weave chain tie through eyelet round. Tie ends of chain into knots and secure yarn tails inside knot. Pull to gather top of hat, leaving an opening for ponytail. Tie chain in a bow.

For personal or charity use only. Do not duplicate pattern for commercial purposes.