SPIRAL RIB BABY HAT
(adaptable for other sizes - see below)

I used DK wool (light worsted?)
4.5mm dpns (a 12" circular would be OK for the main part)
Gauge - 5 sts = 1"
Hat measures about 14" around

Cast on 72 sts and join into circle.
Work about 12 rounds in 2/2 rib.
Work in spiral rib patt as follows:

Rounds 1-3:     (k3 p3) 12 times
Rounds 4-6:     p1 (k3 p3) 11 times, k3 p2
Rounds 7-9:     p2 (k3 p3) 11 times, k3 p1
Rounds 10-12:   p3 (k3 p3) 11 times, k3
Rounds 13-15:   k1 p3 (k3 p3) 11 times, k2
Rounds 16-18:   k2 p3 (k3 p3) 11 times, k1

Repeat these 18 rounds once

Shape top:
R1 (k3 p1 p2 tog) 12 times
R2 (k3 p2) 12 times
R3 (k3 p2tog) 12 times
R4 knit
R5 (k2 k2tog) 12 times
R6 (k1 k2tog) 12 times 
R7 (k2tog) 12 times **
R8 (k2tog) 6 times
R9 (k2tog) 3 times

Work I cord on remaining sts - I did about 2" then finished it off and tied a knot in it.
** If you prefer you can stop at this point and draw up the remaining sts and finish off.

Other sizes:
The patt is in a multiple of 6, so you can adapt this to bigger (or smaller) sizes easily. 
Cast on as many as you need and work the body as long as you want.

Variation
2-colour version  - instead of p3, use a 2nd colour and knit the p sts in that.


Copyright 2001 - Lorraine J Major