Marilynn'sGardenKnitDesign: Pi Ripples Hat 3/14/15 9:26:53a.m. & p.m.

I found inspiration for this hat while reading AARP, Feb/March 2015, p11, STAND BY FOR PIE, “After a 100-year wait! March 14 offers math geeks - and pastry lovers – a once-in-a-century pleasure. On 3/14/15 at 9:26:53a.m. (and p.m.!) the date and time will reflect the first 10 digits of the mathematical constant pi (π). Many bakeries and pizza shops will have specials to make the day. Princeton University will hold an Albert Einstein look-alike contest.”

Pi Ripples Hat will start in the top with an I-cord, in honor of Albert Einstein, and work through (2)radius x pi to give the desired circumference. You'll be creating a circular crown by making 10 increases every other round, then you'll be ready for the 10 stitch repeats of the modified lace pattern Ripples, 400 Knitting Stitches, by Potter Craft, p205.

Gauge: 5 stitches = 1” Adjust needle size to match gauge.

Size: Infant: brim 12”, hat 14” circumference, height 7”

Child: brim 14”, hat 17” circumference, height 9”

Adult: brim 18”, 20”, hat 20”, 22” circumference, height 10”,11”

Materials: Wool or cotton blend in Worsted weight.

Yarn: Infant: 90 yards/ 1.5oz; ; Child: 125 yards/ 2oz; ; Adult: 150 yards/ 2.5oz;

Photo: Pi Ripples Hats are knit in Plymouth Encore; 75%acrylic, 25% wool; color #473;

Adriafil Stella Jacq; 100%superwash wool; color#80;
Berroco Comfort; 50%super fine nylon, 50%super fine acrylic; color #9810

Needles: Size US#7, US#8, 12” or 16” circular needles, set size US#7 double pointed needles

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle

Abbreviations: k = knit p= purl Rnd/s=round/s yo= yarn over k2tog=knit 2 together k2togbl=knit 2 together through the back loop st/s=stitch/es CO=cast on
M1= make one stitch (Helpful hint: I prefer the M1 (m1tbp): place point of working (right-hand) needle behind other needle, inserting needle from the top through the purl stitch below next stitch, and knit, then knit the stitch above.)

Special Stitches:

These 10 stitches and 16 rows make the Ripples pattern:

Rnds 1-5: Knit 9, purl 1

Rnd 6: K3, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, p

Rnd 7: K2, k2tog, k3, yo, k2, p1

Rnd 8: K1, k2tog, k3, yo, k3, p1

Rnds 9-13: Knit 9, purl 1

Rnd 14: K1, yo, k3, k2togbl, k3, p1

Rnd 15: K2, yo, k3, k2togbl, k2, p1

Rnd 16: K3, yo, k3, k2togbl, k1, p1

Directions: Have fun! The pattern is written as a mathematical and knitting challenge.

(Not really, but it was a challenge for me to start, work, and write directions for a top-down hat! Notes are in italic. Have fun!)

With US#7 double pointed needles CO 3stitches work I-cord for 3.14”.
(Finishing: Tie I-cord into a knot, or fold down and stitch as a loop for a finial.)

Crown increases:

Rnd 1: pm, M1, k1, M1, k1, k1 5sts

Rnd 2 and all even rounds: Knit

Rnd 3: * M1, k1; repeat from * to end 10sts

Rnd 5: * M1, k1; repeat from * to end 20sts

Rnd 6: Knit work to US#8 needles. (If using 2 circular needles, 11 and 9 stitches per needle)

Rnd 7: * K2, yo; repeat from * to end 30sts

Rnd 9: * K3, yo; repeat from * to end 40sts

Rnd 11: * K4, yo; repeat from * to end 50sts

Rnd 13: * K5, yo; repeat from * to end 60sts

After Rnd 14: measure the 2(radius), and multiply by pi (3.14) to determine if hat circumference is suitable for an infant. (I measured and calculated: 2(2.25”) x 3.14= 14.13” circumference for an infant.) If desired, continue working increases as established (measure and calculate after the even/knit round) for a child or adult sized hat.

Rnd 15: * K6, yo; repeat from * to end 70sts 2(2.5”) x 3.14 = 15.7”circumference; toddler

Rnd 17: * K7, yo; repeat from * to end 80sts 2(2.75”) x 3.14 = 17.27” circumference; child

Rnd 19: * K8, yo; repeat from * to end 90sts 2(3.25”) x 3.14 = 20” circumference; teen/adult

Rnd 21: * K9, yo; repeat from * to end 100sts 2(3.5”) x 3.14 = 22” circumference; adult

Hat: With US#8 circular needles, set up Rnd 1: * knit 9, purl 1, pm; repeat from * to end

Rnds 1-5: * Knit 9, purl 1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 6: * K3, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 7: * K2, k2tog, k3, yo, k2, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 8: * K1, k2tog, k3, yo, k3, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnds 9-13: * Knit 9, purl 1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 14: * K1, yo, k3, k2togbl, k3, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 15: * K2, yo, k3, k2togbl, k2, p1; repeat from * to end

Rnd 16: * K3, yo, k3, k2togbl, k1, p1; repeat from * to end

Follow Ripples pattern/chart: infant 5”,6”; child 7”; adult 8”,9”; ending on rnd 3, or rnd 11.
For a taller hat, or fold-up brim work extra rounds of pattern before starting the brim.