OTTOBRE knits - Rib Knit Beanie

OTTOBRE design® 4/2009 (page 64)



MATERIALS
- 100 g rose-pink merino wool yarn; for the sample beanie, Katia Merino Baby 100% extra-fine merinowool (50g = 165 m) is used
- set of double-pointed knitting needles (5 needles) or 40 cm circular needle, size 3 mm (metric) or no. 4 (US)
- darning needle for finishing ends
- cardboard for making pom-pom

ABOUT DESIGN
The unstretched circumference of the beanie is approx. 40 cm. Since the beanie is knitted in a rib pattern, it is very stretchy and fits head circumferences from 50 cm to 58 cm.

INSTRUCTIONS
Cast on 160 stitches and divide them equally between four needles. The beanie is knitted in the round.

Round 1: *Knit 2, purl 2*. Repeat from * to * around.
Repeat round 1 until the height of the beanie is approx. 25 cm. Decrease as follows:
Round 1: *Knit 2, purl 2 together*. Repeat from * to * around.
Rounds 2-6: *Knit 2, purl 1*. Repeat from * to * around.
Round 7: *Knit 2 together, purl 1*. Repeat from * to * around.
Rounds 8-10: *Knit 1, purl 1*. Repeat from * to * around.
Rounds 11-12: *Knit 2 together*. Repeat from * to * around.

Finishing: Cut yarn, leaving approx. 25 cm long end for fastening off. Pull yarn through remaining 20 stitches. Weave in all yarn ends on wrong side.

Pom-pom: Cut two circles of cardboard, both 8 cm in diameter, and cut a hole, 2 cm in diameter, in the center of each circle. Slash the edge of each circle. Place the circles together, aligning the slashes. Wind yarn around the outside of the circle and through the center hole until the hole is almost filled with yarn. Cut through the loops of yarn around the outside of the circle, holding the pom-pom tight. Insert a 55 cm long double strand of yarn between the circles, loop it around the center and tighten it slightly. Remove the cardboard circles, tighten the yarn and tie the ends in a knot. Shape and trim the pom-pom and attach it to the top of the beanie with the yarn ends. Weave in the yarn ends on the wrong side.