Cute Giraffe Hat

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This is a free pattern for personal use. Please do not sell, redistribute, or use for profit. If you post about this pattern on your website or blog, please provide a link to the pattern on my blog: http://juliastitches.blogspot.com/2011/11/cute-giraffe-hat.html

Enjoy!

Materials:

Worsted weight yarn in appropriate colors

(golden yellow, tan, brown)

Size 8, 16" circular needles

Size 8 double pointed needles

Tapestry needle

1 stitch marker

5 mm crochet hook (optional)

Makes sizes: 6-9 mo (1-2 y, 2-3 y)

Gauge: 17 st x 24 rows = 4 in. in stockinette stitch

Hat:

CO 56 (64, 72)

Place stitch marker and join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.

Work in stockinette stitch until work measures 3.25 (4, 4.5 in).

Begin decreases:

Round 1: *K5 (6, 7), k2tog. Repeat from * around. [48 (56, 64) sts]

Round 2: knit

Round 3: *K4 (5, 6), k2tog. Repeat from * around. [40 (48, 56) sts]

Round 4: knit

Round 5: *K3 (4, 5), k2tog. Repeat from * around. [32 (40, 48) sts]

Round 6: knit

Round 7: *K2 (3, 4), k2tog. Repeat from * around. [24 (32, 40) sts]

Round 8: knit

Round 9: *K1 (2, 3), k2tog. Repeat from * around. [16 (24, 32) sts]

Round 10: knit

For 6-9 mo size, k2tog around (8 sts). For 1-2 y and 2-3 y sizes: continue with decreasing pattern until 8 sts remain.

Break yarn, and using a tapestry needle, thread tail through remaining 8 sts. Pull tight.

Ears (make 2):

CO 6 stitches

Row 1: knit

Row 2 and all even rows: purl

Row 3: k1, kfb, k2, kfb, k1 (8 st)

Row 5: k1, kfb, k4, kfb, k1 (10 st)

Row 7: k1, kfb, k6, kfb, k1 (12 st)

Row 9: knit

Row 11: k4, ssk, k2tog, k4 (10 st)

Row 13: k3, ssk, k2tog, k3 (8 st)

Row 15: k2, ssk, k2tog, k2 (6 st)

Row 17: k1, ssk, k2tog, k1 (4 st)

Row 19: ssk, k2tog (2 st)

Break yarn and using a tapestry needle, thread the tail through the remaining 2 stitches.

Antennae (make 2):

CO 5 on dpn

With 5 stitches, make i-cord until length is approximately 1.5 inches.

Break yarn, and using a tapestry needle, thread the tail through the 5 stitches. Pull tight.

Assembling the hat:

Sew ears and antennae onto the hat.

Using the appropriate color, create giraffe spots on the hat using duplicate stitch. I prefer the duplicate stitch in this instance because the spots are relatively small and intarsia in the round is rather annoying. Plus, I think it's nice to see the main color peak through.

Optional: 

Pick up stitches along the brim with a 5.0mm crochet hook and single crochet around. 

Weave in ends.