Valentine Hat

I wanted to make a cute little cap for Elias for Valentine's Day. It took quite a few tries and is probably a very confusing pattern, but here it is.

Requires: 1 Set Size 8 Needles

               1 Darning Needle
               1 Button

Yarn Used: Lion Brand Jiffy, 100% Acrylic: Silver Heather
                  Lustra by Berroco, 50% Peruvian Wool/50% Tencel Lyocell:
                     Lus Burgundy

Heart
I found it was much easier to create the heart on straight needles utilizing 2 different strands of the Burgundy yarn. I like using this personal variation of the Seed stitch/Moss stitch so that it has a great texture about it and isn’t too perfect. However, it is also the stitch I ended up using for the hat so perhaps creating the heart of Stockinette stitches might be appealing as well.

1. With line 1, CO 3 sts. Repeat with line 2. These will remain separate sections as if using different colors.
2. Row 1: K1, P1, K1 - repeat. Remember to keep the two sections separate until Row 5.
3. Row 2: K1, M1, P1, M1, K1 - repeat. (Makes 5 on each lobe)
4. Row 3: K1, M1, K1, P1, K1, M1, K1 - repeat. (Makes 7 on each lobe)
5. Row 4: K1, P1 - repeat.
6. Row 5: K1, P1 across all sts. To change from first lobe to second, pass thread from second lobe over first line as you would if you were using two different colors and P1 before picking up second lobe. (Makes 15)
7. Row 6: K1, P1 across all sts.
8. Row 7: K2tog, *P1, K1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K2tog. (Makes 13)
9. Row 8: K2tog, *K1, P1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K2tog. (Makes 11)
10. Row 9: K2tog, *P1, K1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K2tog. (Makes 9)
11. Row 10: K2tog, *K1, P1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K2tog. (Makes 7)
12. Row 11: K2tog, *P1, K1 - repeat from * to last two sts, K1tog. (Makes 5)
13. Row 12: K2tog, K1, K2tog. (Makes 3)
14. When 3 sts remain, break thread leaving approximately 5". Thread needle, pass through remaining stitches. Pull tight, knot and weave in loose ends.

Hat
It took a lot of work to figure out this pattern. This was my 7th attempt. The stitches do not go in any perfect order so I have created a grid for the crown. Essentially, after Row 2, when you have made an increase, you start again with the stitch create just previous to the increase. For example, Row 3: K1, P1, M1, P1, K1, M1, K1, P1, M1, P1, K1, M1 etc. The row will ALWAYS begin and end with a Knit stitch.
Click on image to enlarge.

1. Begin by CO 7 sts.
2. Row 1: Use seed stitch - K,P,K.
3. Follow grid above for 16 rows.
4. Rows 16 - 35: make sure to measure as you go, add or subtract from here to fit. Seed stitch, always beginning and ending with a knit stitch.
5. BO Purlwise.
6. Break thread and leave approximately 8" tail. Thread needle, pass through remaining stitches and knot.
7. Use remaining thread to sew up the side seam using the Mattress stitch technique.
8. Knot and weave in remaining ends. (Snip if necessary).

Button
1. Attach button where desired, I placed it off to the side a bit.
2. Push button through center of the heart created above.