This Just In: World's Softest Hat Found!

 I knitted this one up for my brother's birthday. To make it totally complaint-proof, I made it the softest yarn I could find in John Lewis haberdashery section. After twenty minutes or so of skein-fondling I came across this gem, it really is at the pinnacle of itch-freeness. However, it's also a little fuzzy for the cable pattern to come through as well as it might. This was perfect for me, knowing that most menfolk prefer an understated hat, but if you want the cables to really show you might want a smoother yarn. 

Yarn : Rowan Lima, one 50g ball ( = 100 metres) . 

Needles : Four 5mm/US 8 dpns plus a cable needle.

Gauge:  20 sts in stocking stitch using 5.5 mm needles (although note this pattern uses 5mm needles, having said that, using 5.5mm needles would be fine too.... )

Size: To fit an average adult head, stretches to be approx 22'' around and 9'' high.

Notation: 

k = knit

p = purl

CO = cast on

k2tog = knit two stitches together

p2tog = purl two stitches together

sl = slip (with yarn held to the back of your work)

C3B = slip two stitches onto cable needle and hold at the back of your work. Knit the next stitch on the left hand needle, then the two from the cable needle.

C3F = slip one stitch onto the cable needle and hold at the front of your work. Knit the next two stitches from the left hand needle, then the one on the cable needle.

C4B = slip the next two stitches onto the cable needle and hold at the back of your work. Knit the next two stitches on the left hand needle, then the two from the cable needle.

Directions: 

Cable Pattern:

Row 1: *p2 k7 p2 k1 p2 k1 p2 k4 p2 k1 p2 k1* to end of row.

Row 2: *p2 k7 p2 sl1 p2 sl1 p2 k4 p2 sl1 p2 sl1* to end of row.

Row 3: *p2 c3b k1 c3f p2 k1 p2 k1 p2 c4b p2 k1 p2 k1* to end of row.

Row 4: As row 2.

CO 81 stitches. Work in k2 p1 rib for 10 rows, or until ribbed section is 1 1/2 inches high. Now work in cable pattern until hat measures around 7'' from cast on edge, making sure to end on row 4 of the cable pattern.

Work decreases as follows:
Row 1: *p2 k7 p2 k1 p2tog k1 p2tog k4 p2 k1 p2tog k1* to end of row.
Row 2: *p2 k7 p2 sl1 p1 sl1 p1 k4 p2 sl1 p1 sl1* to end of row.
Row 3: *p2tog c3b k1 c3f p2tog k1 p1 k1 p1 c4b p2tog k1 p1 k1* to end of row.
Row 4: *p1 k7 p1 sl1 p1 sl1 p1 k4 p1 sl1 p1 sl1* to end of row.
Row 5: *p1 k7 p1 k2tog twice k4 k2tog p1 k1 * to end of row
Row 6: knit
Row 7: *k4 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 8: knit
Row 9: *k3 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 10: knit
Row 11: *k2 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 12: knit
Row 13: *k1 k2tog* to end of row.
Row 14: *k2tog* to end of row.

9 stitches remain. Cut the yarn leaving a 6'' tail. Thread this onto a needle and pass through the remaining stitches, slipping them off the dpns as you go. Pull the thread tight to close the hole at the top of the hat and secure the tail inside the hat. Weave in loose ends.