Spiral Staircase Hat

Materials:
1 skein worsted weight (Medium:4) yarn
US size 8 (5.0 mm) 16-inch circular needle
US size 8 (5.0 mm) double pointed needles
Row marker
Stitch markers (12).

Spiraling Toward The Right
Cast on 84 stitches loosely, place marker, join to work in round.
Rows 1-8: *k1, p1, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 9: Knit
Row 10: *kfb, k4, k2tog, pm, repeat from * to the end of the row.
Repeat row 10 until hat measures 6-1/2 inches from the beginning.

Decrease:
Row 1: *Kfb, k3, k3tog, repeat from * to end of row. (72 stitches)
Row 2: *Kfb, k3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 3: *Kfb, k2, k3tog, repeat from * to end of row. (60 stitches)
Row 4: *Kfb, k2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 5: *Kfb, k1, k3tog, repeat from * to end of row. (48 stitches)
Row 6: *Kfb, k1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 7: *Kfb, k3tog, repeat from * to end of row. (36 stitches)
Row 8: *Kfb, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 9: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row. (24 stitches)
Row 10: *k2tog, k2tog repeat from * to end of row (12 stitches)
Row 11: *k2tog, k2tog repeat from * to end of row (6 stitches)
Break yarn, leaving 6-inch tail. Thread tail through tapestry needles then through the live stitches to close the top of the hat. Weave in ends.

Note: If you want, you can substitute “k1, yo” for “kfb” in the pattern above, which gives a little lacy effect.

Spiraling Toward The Left
Cast on 84 stitches loosely, place marker, join to work in round. (98 on a US8 (4.0mm)
Rows 1-8: k1, p1* repeat from * to end of row.
Row 9: Knit.
Row 10: *ssk, k4, kfb, pm, repeat from * to the end of the row.
Repeat row 10 until hat measures 6-1/2 inches from the beginning

Note: On decreases, even numbered rows have “ssk” (slip 2 stitches) and odd numbered rows have “sssk” (slip 3 stitches)

Decrease:
Row 1: *sssk, k3, kfb, repeat from * to end of row. (72 stitches)
Row 2: *ssk, k3, kfb, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 3: *sssk, k2, kfb, repeat from * to end of row. (60 stitches)
Row 4: *ssk, k2, kfb, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 5: *sssk, k1, kfb, repeat from * to end of row. (48 stitches)
Row 6: *ssk, k1, kfb, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 7: *sssk, kfb, repeat from * to end of row. (36 stitches)
Row 8: *ssk, kfb, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 9: *ssk, k1, repeat from * to end of row. (24 stitches)
Row 10: *ssk, ssk, repeat from * to end of row (12 stitches)
Row 11: *ssk, ssk, repeat from * to end of row (6 stitches)
Break yarn, leaving 6-inch tail. Thread tail through tapestry needles then through the live stitches to close the top of the hat. Weave in ends.

Note: If you want, you can substitute “yo, k1” for “kfb” in the above pattern for a lacy effect.

Abbreviations:
pm – place marker
sm – slip marker.
ssk – slip 2 stitches as if to knit to the right-hand needle. Insert the left needle through the front of the stitch and knit the two stitches together through the back of the stitch using the right-hand needle. (left leaning decrease)
sssk – slip 3 stitches as if to knit to the right-hand needle. Insert the left needle through the front of the stitch and knit the two stitches together through the back of the stitch using the right-hand needle. (left leaning double decrease).