Here There May Be Dragons!

Truth be told, I have never watched an episode of Game of Thrones, but both of my adult sons love it. I am more of a King Arthur fan with my favorite book of all time is Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley. I usually read it about every other year just to return to that fantasy land. So this is the hat that I made for my son. I am working on the another for the other one. No matter what, I love dragons and the mythology around them. 

One feature of this hat that is special is I knitted a fairly large lining before starting on the front of the hat. This accomplishes two things: 

First, it makes the hat especially warm over the ears because it is double thickness. 

Second, it covers all the stranding from the design so you don't catch them by accident while wearing it. 

I got the dragon design from a free design on Ravelry and I added another fair isle border above and below the dragon, so the pattern is free.  I want to experiment with a couple of other colors as well and I will post those as well.  Until then, enjoy!

PENDRAGON SLOUCHY HAT

MATERIALS
1 skein each Loops and Threads Woolike in Red (A), Black (B) and Beige (C) (85% Acrylic; 15% Nylon, 620m/678yds))
Size US 2.0 (­­2.5 mm) Circular Needles

Size US 2.0 (2.5 mm) Double Pointed Needles
Yarn needle

Stitch markers

Gauge: 16 stitches in pattern to 2”

Size: Fits most medium (22-23”) and large (23-25”) sized heads. Large size appears in parenthesis ().

Hat Pattern:

With Color A, cast on 140 (160) sts. Place marker and join.

Work in stockinette (knit every row working in the round) for 4 inches.

Purl 1 row (fold row)

Knit 4 rounds.

With Color B, knit 6 rounds.

Border pattern:

Round 1: With Color A, knit 1 round.

Round 2: With Color C, knit 1 round.

Round 3: *K1 with Color C, K1 with Color A.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 4: With Color A, knit 1 round.

Round 5: *K1 with Color C, K1 with Color A.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 6: With Color C, knit 1 round.

Round 7: With Color A, knit 1 round.

With Color B, knit 3 rounds.

Dragon Pattern:

Using the chart, repeat pattern 7 (8) times.

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K 3 Rounds in Color B

Border pattern:

Repeat border pattern above.

Switch to Color B. Work in stockinette (knit every round) until the hat measures 7 (8) inches from the fold line. Feel free to add more rows if you want a slouchier hat.

Crown:

Switch to double pointed needles when appropriate.

Round 1: *K2tog, K16, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 2: K all stitches.

Round 3: *K2tog, K14, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 4: K all stitches.

Round 5: *K2tog, K12, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 6: K all stitches.

Round 7: *K2tog, K10, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 8: K all stitches.

Round 9: *K2tog, K8, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 10: K all stitches.

Round 11: *K2tog, K6, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 12: K all stitches.

Round 13: *K2tog, K4, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 14: K all stitches.

Round 15: *K2tog, K2, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 16: K all stitches.

Round 17: *K2tog, SSK.* Repeat between * to end of round.

Round 18: K all stitches.

Break yarn. Thread yarn thread and draw through the remaining stitches.  Weave in ends.

Fold the hat on the purl round and pin or baste in place, keeping it as smooth as possible. Whip stitch the lining in place.