Basketweave Hat

UPDATE: I whipped this up over the weekend in Patons SWS. The combo of soy gives wool a silky sheen, and I think the colorways of this self-striping yarn are gorgeous.

SUPPLIES:

• 1 ball of Patons SWS (50g / 2.8 oz & 100m / 110 yds)



• Size 8 (5mm) set of 5 double point needles & 16" circular (optional) or whatver size needed for gauge



• Size J (6mm) crochet hook & 18" of spare cotton yarn

GAUGE & SIZE: 18 sts = 4" (10cm) - Fits an average woman 21" (53 cm) head circumference

INSTRUCTIONS:

Make a crochet provisional cast on - it's easier not to get twisted. To do it, crochet 10 chains loosely with the cotton yarn, then starting with the second chain, use one DPN to pick up the back of each chain (looks like a little bump between each chain) until you have 8 sts on the needle. Then use a second DPN to knit 8 sts with the SWS, leaving a 8" tail. Carefully distribute 2 sts each onto 4 DPN's, and join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist the CO.

Rnd 1 and all ODD numbered rnds: Knit all
Rnd 2: Knit into the front and back of each stitch (Kf&b) - 16 sts
Rnd 4: *Kf&b, K1, rep from * to the end of rnd - 24 sts
Rnd 6: *Kf&b, K2, rep from * to the end of rnd - 32 sts
Rnd 8: *Kf&b, K3, rep from * to the end of rnd - 40 sts
Continue increasing every other rnd this way, adding 1 more st between inc's, thus adding 8 sts to every other rnd (if desired, switch to circular when big enough) until you reach 96 sts total.

Next rnd: Purl 1 rnd
Next rnd: Slip first st (to match up the beg & end of purl rnd) and begin basketweave pattern:

Rnd 1: K all
Rnds 2 - 4: *K3, P5, rep from * to end
Rnd 5: K all
Rnds 6 - 8: P4, *K3, P5, rep from * to last 4 sts, K3, P1

Rep basketweave patt for 28 rnds total, then K 1 rnd, and finally BO in purl

Thread the beg SWS tail on a needle, then unzip the crochet CO by undoing the last chain made and then each chain should pull out one-by-one. Sew tail of SWS through live sts to cinch CO. Weave in ends.