Knitted Austrian Block Hat

This cozy block hat is meticulously hand-knitted using traditional techniques passed down through generations. The intricate design features a unique pattern that adds a touch of elegance to any winter outfit. Made from high-quality wool, this hat is not only stylish but also incredibly warm and comfortable to wear during the colder months. Whether you're hitting the slopes or strolling through the city streets, this knitted hat is sure to keep you looking chic and feeling cozy all season long.

Sizes: Adult Small (Adult Large)

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Chunky (75% Acrylic, 22% Wool, 3% Rayon; 143 yards [131 meters]/100 grams); #999 - one skein

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 9, one 16" circular needle in size US 10, one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 10

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 14 stitches = 4 inches on size 10 needles

And now it's time to make a hat! Using your size 9 needle, then, cast on 70 (80) stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll work a ribbing row, as follows:

Ribbing Row: * k1, p2, k2, p1, k2, p2; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row 8 times (10 times) and transfer your work to your size 10 needle. To do it, we'll need some terminology, as follows:

rt (right twist): knit two together, leaving stitches on left-hand needle; next, insert right-hand needle from the front between the two stitches just knitted together, and knit the first stitch again. Finally, slip both stitches from left-hand needle together

lt (left twist): with right-hand needle behind left-hand needle, skip one stitch and knit the second stitch in back loop; then insert right-hand needle into the backs of both stitches and k2tog-b (knit two together through back loops, inserting right needle from the right)

And now that that's out of the way, we'll continue like so:

Row 1: * k1, p2, k5, p2 *

Row 2: * k1 through back loop (k1-tbl), p2, rt, k1, lt, p2 *

Rows 3 - 10: knit rows 1 & 2 four more times

Row 11: * k3, p2, k1, p2, k2 *

Row 12: * k1, lt, p2, k1-tbl, p2, rt *

Rows 13 - 20: knit rows 11 & 12 four more times

Knit rows 1 - 20 once, and then knit rows 1 - 13 once more (both sizes). Then we'll begin our decrease, as follows.

Decrease Row 1: * k3, p2tog, k1, p2tog, k2 * (56 stitches (64 stitches))

Decrease Row 2: * k1, lt, p1, k1-tbl, p1, rt *

You may want to transfer your work to your dpns about now...

Decrease Row 3: * k1, k2tog, p1, k1, p1, ssk * (42 stitches (48 stitches))

Decrease Row 4: slip the first two stitches of hat from your first dpn to your third; then, * p1, k1-tbl, p1, slip 2 together knitwise-k1-p2sso * (28 stitches (32 stitches))

Decrease Row 5: slip first stitch of hat from your first dpn to your third; then, * k1, p3tog * (14 stitches (16 stitches))

Decrease Row 6: * k2tog * (7 stitches (8 stitches))

Clip yarn tail, thread through remaining 7 (8) stitches, and pull tight. Thread to inside of hat and knot. Tuck in ends.