GAUGE: 16 sts = about 4 in. (10 cm) over St st (k on RS, p on WS) with larger needles. BE SURE TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE. When you match the gauge in a pattern, your project will be the size specified in the pattern and the materials specified in the pattern will be sufficient.

If it takes you fewer stitches and rows to make a 4 in. [10 cm] square, try using a smaller size hook or needles; if more stitches and rows, try a larger size hook or needles.

STITCH EXPLANATION: M1 (make 1) An increase worked by lifting the horizontal thread lying between needles and placing it onto left needle. Knit this new stitch through the back loop - 1 st increased. sk2p (slip-k2tog-pass slipped st over) A double decrease worked as follows:

1. Insert right needle into next st as if to knit, and slip the st from the left needle to the right needle.
2. Knit the next 2 sts together.
3. With tip of left needle, lift the slipped st (the 2nd st on right needle) up and over the k2tog (first st on right needle) and off the needle - you have decreased 2 sts. ssk (slip, slip, knit) Slip next 2 sts as if to knit, one at a time, to right needle; insert left needle into fronts of these 2 sts and knit them tog - 1 st decreased.

PATTERN STITCH K2, p2 Rib (multiple of 4 sts) Row 1: *K2, p2; rep from * to end of row. Row 2: K the knit sts and p the purl sts. Rep Row 2 for K2, p2 Rib.

NOTES:

1. Hat is worked back and forth in rows beginning at lower edge, then seamed.
2. When working Hat ribbing, the first and last sts are edge sts that will 'disappear' within the seam when the Hat is seamed.
3. When changing color, do not cut old color until instructed. Carry unused colors up side edge of piece.
4. The Bootie cast-on edge, when folded in half, forms the center line of the sole of the Bootie.

HAT With smaller needles and A, cast on 62 (72) sts. Row 1 (RS): K1 for edge st, work in K2, p2 Rib to last st, k1 for edge st. Row 2: P1 for edge st, work in K2, p2 Rib to last st, p1 for edge st. Rows 3-6: Rep Rows 1 and 2. Change to larger needles. Next Row: K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog - 60 (70) sts at the end of this row. Work in St st (k on RS, p on WS) for 10 rows, changing color as follows: Work 2 rows with B, 2 rows with A, 2 rows with C, 2 rows with A, and 2 rows with B. Cut B and C and continue with A only. Work in St st until piece measures about 4 in. (10 cm) from beg, end with a WS row. Note: End with a WS row means that the last row you work should be a WS (purl) row.

Shape Crown (Top of Hat) Row 1: *K8, k2tog: rep from * across row - 54 (63) sts at the end of this row. Row 2 and all WS rows: Purl. Row 3 (Decrease): *K7, k2tog: rep from * across row - 48 (56) sts. Row 5 (Decrease): *K6, k2tog: rep from * across row - 42 (49) sts. Row 7 (Decrease): *K5, k2tog: rep from * across row - 36 (42) sts. Row 9 (Decrease): *K4, k2tog: rep from * across row - 30 (35) sts. Row 11 (Decrease): *K3, k2tog: rep from * across row - 24 (28) sts. Row 13 (Decrease): *K2, k2tog: rep from * across row - 18 (21) sts. Purl 1 row. Cut yarn, leaving a long yarn tail. Thread tail through remaining sts and pull to gather. Knot securely.

OUTER EARS (make 2) With smaller needles and A, cast on 8 sts. Work in St st until piece measures 3 1/2 (4) in. (9 (10) cm) from beg, end with a WS row. Next Row: (K2tog) 4 times - 4 sts at the end of this row. Next Row: Purl. Bind off, leaving a long yarn tail for sewing.

INNER EARS (make 2) With smaller needles and C, cast on 6 sts. Work in St st until piece measures 3 (3 1/2) in. (7.5 (9) cm) from beg, end with a WS row. Next Row: (K2tog) 3 times - 3 sts at the end of this row. Next Row: Purl. Bind off.

FINISHING Lay Outer Ear on a flat surface, with WS facing. Lay Inner Ear on top of Outer Ear, with RS facing and matching cast-on edges of Inner and Outer Ears. With A, and taking small sts, sew Inner Ear to Outer Ear. Sew Ears to Hat. Weave in ends.

LEFT BOOTIE

• With smaller needles and B, beg at center of sole, cast on 24 (28, 32) sts. Row 1 (WS): Purl. Row 2: Knit. Row 3: P10 (12, 14), (M1, p1) 4 times, M1, p10 (12, 14) - 29 (33, 37) sts at the end of this row. Row 4: Cast on 2 sts, knit to end of row - 31 (35, 39) sts. Row 5: Cast on 2 sts, purl to end of row - 33 (37, 41) sts. Knit 4 (6, 6) rows.

Shape Top Row 1 (RS): K11 (13, 15), ssk, k7, k2tog, k11 (13, 15) - 31 (35, 39) sts at the end of this row. Row 2: Knit. Row 3: K11 (13, 15), ssk, k1, sk2p, k1, k2tog, k11 (13, 15) - 27 (31, 35) sts at the end of this row. Row 4: Knit. ** Row 5 (RS): K6 (7, 8), sl these 6 (7, 8) sts to a stitch holder for button tab, bind off next 6 (7, 8) sts, k2 (there are now 3 sts on right hand needle), sl these 3 sts to a stitch holder for T-strap, bind off next 6 (7, 8) sts, knit to end of row - 6 (7, 8) sts rem.

Strap Continue over rem 6 (7, 8) sts only. Next Row: Knit. Next Row: Cast on 10 (12, 14) sts for strap, ssk, yo (for buttonhole), knit to end of row - 16 (19, 22) sts at the end of this row. Bind off.

Button Tab Slip 6 (7, 8) button tab sts from holder back onto needle ready to work a WS row, join yarn and knit 2 rows. Bind off.

T-Strap Slip 3 T-strap sts from holder back onto needle ready to work a WS row, join yarn and knit 15 (17, 19) rows. Bind off.

RIGHT BOOTIE Work same as Left Bootie from * to **. Row 5: K6 (7, 8), sl these 6 (7, 8) sts to a stitch holder for strap, bind off next 6 (7, 8) sts, k2 (there are now 3 sts on right hand needle), sl these 3 sts to a stitch holder for T-strap, bind off next 6 (7, 8) sts, knit to end of row - 6 (7, 8) sts rem.

Button Tab Continue over rem 6 (7, 8) sts only, knit 2 rows. Bind off.

Strap Cast 10 (12, 14) sts onto empty needle, with same needle k across 6 (7, 8) strap sts from holder. Next Row: K to last 2 sts, yo (for buttonhole), k2tog. Bind off.

T-Strap Work same as T-Strap for Left Bootie.

FINISHING Fold cast-on edge in half, and sew edges together to make center of sole. Sew back seam and seam at base of heel. Fold 3/4 in. (2 cm) of T-strap to wrong side and sew in place. Thread strap through T-strap loop. With sewing needle and thread, sew button onto button tab. Weave in ends.

ABBREVIATIONS / REFERENCES beg = begin(s)(ning) k = knit k2tog = knit 2 together p = purl rem = remain(s)(ing) rep = repeat(s)(ing) RS = right side St st = Stockinette stitch st(s) = stitch(es)
WS = wrong side