Stars and Stripes Hat

Designed by Gail Bable

Size 9 16 circular needle and one set of size 9 double points

Worsted weight yarn, 2 oz. Each red, white, and blue

Gauge: 4 stitches to 1, 6 rows to 1

Cast on 72 (child) , (82 adult) on the circular needle being careful not to twist your stitches. Place marker at the beginning of the row.

Rows 1- 10: K2, P2 around with white

Row 11: Knit around

Row 12 and 13: Attach red. This row begins slip stitch knitting. With red, knit first 2 stitches, slip next two stitches as if to purl, *K 2 , slip 2, repeat*

Row 14 and 15: With white, *Slip 2 as if to purl, K2,* repeat

If the slip stitch knitting seems tight , you can change to a size 10 circular needle to loosen it up!

Repeat these two rows until piece measures 4 (5) inches. Fasten off the red and white yarns.

With blue, Knit one row decreasing six stitches around. You now have 66 (76) stitches on the needle

Knit until piece measures 6 (7) inches.

Decrease rows for top of hat:

Row 1, *Knit 4, K 2 together*, repeat

Row 2 and 3: Knit

Row 4: *Knit 3, K 2 together* repeat

Row 5 and 6: Knit

Row 7: *Knit 2, K 2 together*, repeat

Row 8 and 8: Knit

Row 9: * Knit 1, K 2 together*, repeat

Row 10 and 11: Knit

Row 12: Knit 2 together.

Thread yarn through the last stitches on the needle and fasten off.

Add decorative white star buttons to the front of the hat on the blue section.