Santa Skulls Hat

You will need:

• US sizes 7 and 8 circular needles, 16″
• Set of US size 8 DPNs
• Stitch markers
• Yarn guide (optional, but super helpful for colorwork knitting)
• Yarn needle (for weaving in ends)
• Worsted weight yarn. Hat pictured was made with Red Heart Super Saver yarn in Black (A) with small amounts of Aran (B), White (C), and Cherry Red (D).

Gauge and sizing:

• Gauge is 18 stitches in 4″,  or 4.5 stitches per inch
• Will fit most adult heads (21-24″)

Abbreviations used:

• co: cast on
• k: knit
• k2p2: knit two stitches, purl two stitches
• k2tg: knit two stitches together
• rnd(s): round(s)
• st(s): stitch(es)

Start here:

1. With A and smaller circular needles, co 96 sts using your preferred method; place stitch marker to mark beginning of rnd; join to k in the rnd making sure sts are not twisted.
2. k2p2 for 6 rnds.
3. Switch to larger circular needles, k 2 rnds.
4. Join B to begin colorwork. Join C and D as they are called for in the chart.

Please note: row 18 of the chart uses three colors instead of the usual two. If you would prefer not to do that, you can knit the row using just red and black and use duplicate stitch to add the white later.

*Chart is worked from right to left and bottom to top!*

For all 19 rounds of the chart, repeat columns 1-8 twelve times.
Once colorwork is complete, continue knitting with A until work measures 8 inches, then begin decreasing.
Decreasing: 
(switch to dpns when sts become too tight on circular needles)

1. k2tg; repeat to end of rnd (48 sts remain)
2. k to end of rnd
3. k2tg; repeat to end of rnd (24 sts remain)
4. k to end of rnd
5. k2tg; repeat to end of rnd (12 sts remain)

Finishing:
Cut yarn, use yarn needle to thread tail through remaining 12 stitches and pull tightly to close. Weave in ends. Block and add pompom if desired.