ANY-YARN HAT

by Sally Pecor, Knitwit of DC

This hat is designed to use any yarn or yarns you have handy, so
1. Pick some yarn and appropriate needles.
2. Determine your gauge as follows:
      Cast on 20 sts
      Work k2, p2 ribbing for 2-3 inches
      Measure the number of sts per inch WITHOUT stretching the   ribbing.
3. Using a hat size from 18 to 20 inches around (you want about a 2-inch stretch), multiply times sts per inch.Round the number to a multiple of 4.
4. Cast on the number of the sts determined in Step 3.
5. If you are working in the round, join sts careful not to twists your cast-on row.  Mark the beginning of the round and work in k2, p2 ribbing.  If you are working flat, turn and work k2, p2 ribbing.
6. Continue for 8 to 10 inches.  To determine how long to make the has, measure across your head [or the recipient's head] from earlobe to earlobe.  Figuring in 1 to 2 inches for a turned up cuff (if desired), subtract 2 inches for the crown of the head.
7. On a "right" side row, k2, p2tog around or across.
8. Continue on K2, p1 ribbing for another inch.
9. On the right side, k2tog, p1 around or across.  Mark this row with a piece of contrasting yarn.
10. Continue k1, p1 ribbing for 2-3 inches.
11. Bind off in ribbing.  If you've knitted flat, sew side seam.
At this point you may notice that there is a somewhat large hole in the top of your hat.

Not to worry.
12. With a tapestry needle weave several strands of yarn through the KNIT sts of the row just above the one you marked.
13. Pull these threads tightly, gathering the top closed.   Tie once.  Wrap the threads around the gather one or two times.  Tie a knot.
14. Trim the tying threads or make them into a tassel.