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Beginner experience required

Size:

• One size to fit child 3 to 5 years

Materials:

• Patons Decor yarn (75% acrylic, 25% wool, 100 g balls): 1 ball Barn Red #1714 (color A), 1 ball Orange #1713 (color B)
• Two pairs 6.5 mm (US 101/2) knitting needles, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Yarn needle
• Scissors

Gauge:

• 13 sts and 18 rows -- 4" in St/st with yarn used double.
  Check gauge before beginning work. Adjust needle size as needed to obtain correct gauge.

Source Guide:

Patterns and yarn from Patons Decor; for store locations log on to www.patonsyarn.com.

TO KNIT CAP:

Knitting abbreviations

Right earflap: With 1 strand each of A and B, cast on 5 sts. *Row 1 (WS): K all sts. Row 2: Inc 1 st in first st. K to last 2 sts. Inc 1 st in next st. K last st.* Rep these 2 rows 3 more times -- 13 sts. **Work 3 rows even. Next row: Inc 1 st in first st. K to last 2 sts. Inc 1 st in next st. K last st.** Rep these 4 rows 2 more times -- 19 sts. Work 1 row even. ***Next row: Inc 1 st in first st. K to end of row. Work 1 row even.*** Rep these 2 rows 1 more time -- 21 sts. Next row: Inc 1 st in first st. K to last 2 sts. Inc 1 st in next st. K last st -- 23 sts. Work 1 row even. Break yarn; leave sts on spare needle.

Left earflap: Work same as right earflap until 19 sts on needle. *Next row: K to last 2 sts. Inc 1 st in next st. K last st. Work 1 row even.* Rep these 2 rows 1 more time -- 21 sts. Next row: Inc 1 st in first st. K to last 2 sts. Inc 1 st in next st. K last st -- 23 sts. Work 1 row even.

Bottom of cap: (attaching earflaps: joining row) (RS): With 1 strand each of A and B, cast on 2 sts. Row 1: K these 2 sts and 23 sts of right earflap. Turn. Cast on 11 sts. Turn. K 23 sts of left earflap. Turn. Cast on 2 sts -- 61 sts. Next row: K all sts. Next row: Beginning with a K row, work in St/st until work from joining row measures 4", ending with RS facing for next row.

Shape top of cap: Row 1: K1, *K2tog, K8.* Rep between *s to end of row -- 55 sts. Row 2 and all even rows: K all sts. Row 3: K1, *K2tog, K7.* Rep between *s to end of row -- 49 sts. Row 5: K1, *K2tog, K6.* Rep between *s to end of row -- 43 sts. Cont in this manner, dec 6 sts evenly along every following odd row until 13 sts rem. Next row (WS): (K2tog) 6 times. K1. Break yarn, leaving long tail. Draw tail through rem sts and fasten securely. Sew center back seam.

Pom-pom: Working with 1 strand each of A and B, wrap yarn around 4 fingers about 60 times. Remove from fingers; tie another piece of yarn tightly around center. Cut all loops open. Trim yarn ends to form smooth pom-pom. Sew to top of cap.

Ties: Cut twelve 20" pieces of each color. Holding 6 strands of each color tog, draw halfway through center of lower edge of each earflap. Divide each set of strands into 3 groups of 8; braid groups to make each tie. Wrap and tie another piece of yarn securely around end of each tie; trim ends.

Abbreviations:

K = knit
P = purl
RS = right side
WS = wrong side
mm = millimeter(s)
beg = beginning
alt = alternate
st(s) = stitch(es)
St/st = stockinette st (K 1 row, P 1 row)
inc = increase
dec = decrease
MC = main color
tog = together
cont = continue
rep = repeat
bet = between
rem = remaining
Sl = slip
pat = pattern
yfon = yarn forward over needle
psso = pass slipped st over
*, ** or *** = repeat whatever follows the first *, ** or *** until the second *, ** or *** is reached.
( ) = work instructions the number of times stated after parentheses