One Hat...Three Versions!

It's your choice, knit the hat that suits you, and anyone you adore!

SIZES: Directions are written for size Small (Childs) Changes for Medium (Adult S) and Large
(Adult L) are written in parentheses.

The stitch pattern has a lot of stretch so finished measurements do not equate with head size, and each size can fit a lot of different head measurements.

Approximate head sizes fit: Small: 14-20”, Medium: 16-22”, Large: 18-14”, depending on how tight or loose the wearer likes their hats to be.
YARN: 1 skein of Malabrigo Merino Worsted
NEEDLES: 1 set each: # 6 16- inch circular, # 7 16-inch circular,# 7 double pointed
OTHER MATERIALS: tapestry needle, stitch marker

GAUGE: 28 sts to 4” in 4 Row Cable Stitch Pattern un-stretched. Due to the very stretchy nature of this pattern stitch exact gauge is not as crucial as in other stitch patterns. Be sure that your gauge is close to this. If it is off by a lot it can adversely effect the fit of the hat, but if it is close to correct fit should be fine.
STITCHES USED IN THIS PATTERN: Knit (K), purl (p), Knit 2 stitches together (K2tog) and Right Front Cross (RFC)

Right Front Cross (RFC) Worked over 3 stitches as follows:
1 – Insert right needle into the third stitch from the tip of the left needle as to knit. Pull a loop of yarn through, but do not slide any stitches off of the left hand needle.
2 – Insert right needle into the stitch closest to the tip of the left needle, knit, and slide off left needle as usual.
3 – Knit next stitch (originally second from the tip, now closest to the tip) and slide it and the first stitch knit (originally the third stitch from the tip of the left needle) off the left needle.
There is a photo Tutorial for this stitch at the end of this pattern.
4 ROW CABLE STITCH PATTERN:
ROWS 1, 2, and 4: * p1, K3* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 3: * p1, RFC over next 3 sts. * Repeat from * to * across row.
BRIM: CO 84 (96, 108) stitches on #6 16” circular needles. Place marker and, being careful not to twist the stitches, join and knit in the round. Work one of the two brims below as directed:
BRIM #1 (Rolled Brim) – K 7 rows. Switch to #7 16” circular needles and K 3 ROWS, for a total of 10 K rows.
BRIM #2 (Ribbed brim) - *p1, K1* Repeat from * to * across row. Please note that this 1/1 ribbing starts with a p stitch and not a K stitch as usual for ribbing. Work in ribbing for 1.5 inches.
BODY OF HAT: Switch to #7 16-inch circular needle and to 4 Row Cable Stitch Pattern, and work evenly until 4 ½ (5, 5 ½ ) inches from beginning OR 3 inches less than desired length measured from crown of head down to ear. End having just completed a ROW 3 of 4 Row Cable Stitch Pattern.

DECREASES: Decreases are worked in the 4 Row Cable Stitch Pattern. Continue in pattern as written below, switching to dp #7US needles when necessary.
ROW 1 – * Work 10 sts in pattern as established, K2tog,* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 2 - * p1, K3, p1, K3, p1, K2* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 3 - * p1, K3, p1, K3, p1, K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row. ROW 4 - *p1, RFC over next 3 sts., p1, RFC over next 3 sts., p1, K1* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 5 - *p1, K3, p1, K3, K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 6 - *p1, K3, p1, K4* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 7 - *p1, K3, p1, K2, K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 8 - *p1, RFC over next 3 sts, * Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 9 - *p1, K3, p1, K1, K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 10 - *p1, K3, p1, K2* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 11 - *p1, K3, p1, K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 12 – *p1, RFC across next 3 sts, p1, K1* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 13 - *p1, K3, K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 14 - *p1, K2, K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 15 - *p1, RFC across next 3 sts* Repeat from * to * across row. ROW 16 - *p1, K1, K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 17 - *p1, K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row.
ROW 18 - *K2tog* Repeat from * to * across row. 7 (8, 9) sts remain.
Break yarn and run end through remaining stitches. Pull tight, run end inside and secure.
Weave in ends.