Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Chunky [75% wool, 25% alpaca; 110 yards/100 meters per 100 gram skein]
[MC] 3249 Chocolat; 1 skein
[CC] 0500 Ebony; 1 skein

1 16-inch circular US size #9/5.5 mm needle
1 set US size #9/5.5 mm double point needles OR SIZE NEEDED TO OBTAIN GAUGE
stitch marker
tapestry needle

When working this mosaic pattern, you will alternate colors every 2 rows. You will only be using one color at a time. On odd-numbered rows, the stitches on the chart that are in the working color for that row are knit, those in the opposite color (marked with a "V") are slipped purlwise. On the subsequent even-numbered rows, the stitches that were knit in the preceding row are purled, and the slipped stitches are slipped again. Read all chart rows from right to left. The bar at the right of the chart indicates the working color for each row.

Always hold the yarn to the wrong side of work when slipping stitches. When beginning a new round, bring the new color up from under the old color, so that the yarns will twist around each other. This will prevent small holes from forming at the ends of the rounds.

S2KP: Slip next 2 sts to right needle as if to knit them together; k next st, pass both slipped stitches, together, over stitch just knit. Forms a centered double decrease.

Using CC and circular needle, loosely CO 80 sts. Place marker and join to begin working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Work 4 rounds in garter stitch.

Join MC.
Work 2 more rounds in garter stitch using MC.

Work Rounds 1-32 of Mosaic Chart.

Using CC, k 1 round.

Using CC, p 2 rounds. Break CC, continue working with MC only.

Shape Crown
Note: When working decrease rounds which follow, switch to double-point needles when necessary.

K 2 rounds.

Decrease Round 1: K7, [S2KP, k13] 4 times, S2KP, k6. 70 sts.

K 2 rounds.

Decrease Round 2: K6, [S2KP, k11] 4 times, S2KP, k5. 60 sts.

K 2 rounds.

Decrease Round 3: K5, [S2KP, k9] 4 times, S2KP, k4. 50 sts.
K 2 rounds.

Decrease Round 4: K4, [S2KP, k7] 4 times, S2KP, k3. 40 sts.
K 1 round.

Decrease Round 5: K3, [S2KP, k5] 4 times, S2KP, k2. 30 sts.
K 1 round.

Decrease Round 6: K2, [S2KP, k3] 4 times, S2KP, k1. 20 sts.
K 1 round.

Decrease Round 7: [K1, S2KP] 5 times. 10 sts.
Decrease Round 8: [K2tog] 5 times. 5 sts.
Break yarn, draw through remaining sts and pull tight.

Weave in ends.

Blocking (Optional)
Dampen hat. Place over a straight-sided bowl with the same approximate circumference as your head. You may want to place a small folded towel or napkin in crown to help hold rounded shape. Allow to dry completely.

Elizabeth learned to knit as a child, but really became a knitter in her late 20s. Her patterns have appeared in Knitty and are available at The Garter Belt thegarterbelt.com.

She blogs about her life with too much yarn here.