Almost makes you wanna take up knitting...

Before I tell you all about Sunday at the Jazz Fest, here's a little tidbit for those of you creative types out there with a fetish for Princess Leia. (I know nothing about knitting terminology, so you'll have to research it yourself. Or ask your grandma.)

Free Pattern: The Leia Hat

"My inspiration for this pattern came to me one day while shopping in a sporting goods store. I saw this fabulous full length white down coat that reminded me of a Princess Leia outfit. I thought, wow, now that would look great with a knitted ‘wig’ hat. And so, Leia was born."




Materials:
Misti Alpaca Chunky, 2 skeins
100% baby Alpaca
100g/108yd
Color 436, heathered black
Polyester stuffing
US 10.5, 15” circular, and us 10 dpns
Tapestry Needle

Gauge:
3” = 9 ¼ sts (stockinette stitch)
hat will fit a 22" circumference head.

Hat:
Using US 10.5” circular needle, Co 66 sts
Round 1: purl
Round 2: sk st
Cont in sk st until piece measures 5” long, begin decrease.
Round 1: dec every 7sts, k2tog, 11x, 55sts
Round 2 & All even Rounds: knit
Round 3: dec every 6sts, k2tog, 11x, 44sts
Round 5: dec every 5sts, k2tog, 11x, 33sts
Round 7: dec every 4sts, k2tog, 11x, 22sts
Round 9: dec every 3sts, k2tog, 11x, 11sts
Cut yarn and sew in ends.

Buns:
Using US 10 dpns, Cast on 15 sts
Knit in the round for 23”
Stuff tube loosely with Polyester Stuffing as you go.
Begin decrease
Round 1: K1, K2tog, 10sts
Round 2: knit
Round 3: K1, K2tog, 7sts
Round 4: knit
Round 5: K1, K2tog, 5sts
Cut yarn and weave it through remaining sts. Pull tight, weave in ends. Coil tube into a bun shape, using the co end for the center of the bun. Sew coil together with excess yarn using a tapestry needle.

Repeat for the second bun.

Block the hat with a steam iron so the brim does not roll up. With leftover yarn, sew the buns onto the hat so they cover your ears using a tapestry needle.

This pattern is copyright by Ansley Davies and is intended for personal use only.