Butterfly Hat

I recently came up with a pattern for a hat using the butterfly stitch, which continues almost all the way through the decreases at the top of the hat. I don't really maintain a blog, but this seems like a good place to publish the pattern. So, without further ado, here it is (this pattern is also available as a pdf download on Ravelry).

Butterfly Hat Pattern

Size: Adult (approx. 20 inch circumference)

Materials:
Cascade 220 Superwash, approx. half a ball.

Tools:
#7/4.5mm circular needle
#5/3.75mm circular needle
#7/4.5mm double-pointed needles
stitch marker
tapestry needle

Gauge:
20 sts/26 rows = 4 inches in stockinette using larger needle.

Abbreviations:
yif = yarn in front
yib = yarn in back
k2tog = knit 2 stitches together
ssk = slip the next 2 stitches knit-wise, then knit them together
s = slip (when slipping stitches, make sure to spread them out, so that your floats are even and don't bunch up)
make butterfly = With your right needle pick up the 5 floats by inserting the needle under the floats from the bottom up, then insert the right needle into the next stitch on the left needle. Knit the stitch and the 5 floats together.


With the smaller circular needles, CO 100 stitches. Place stitch marker and join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist your stitches.

Ribbing:
Knit in k2, p2 rib for 1 1/2"

Main body:
Switch to the larger circular needles.
Round 1, 3, 5, 7, 9: [k5, yif, s5, yib] repeat to end.
Round 2, 4, 6, 8: Knit.
Round 10: [k7, make butterfly, k2] repeat to end.
Round 11, 13, 15, 17, 19: [yif, s5, yib, k5] repeat to end.
Round 12, 14, 16, 18: Knit.
Round 20: [k2, make butterfly, k7] repeat to end.
Repeat rows 1-20 one more time, or until ready to start decreasing.

Decrease: (at some point, when the knitting gets too tight for the circulars, switch to DPNs)
Round 1-3: Repeat rounds 1-3 of the main body section.
Round 4: [k5, k2tog, k3] repeat to end.
Round 5, 7: [k5, yif, s4, yib] repeat to end.
Round 6: Knit.
Round 8: [k7, ssk] repeat to end.
Round 9: [k5, yif, s3, yib] repeat to end.
Round 10: [k6, make butterfly, k1] repeat to end.
Round 11, 13: [yif, s5, yib, k3] repeat to end.
Round 12: Knit.
Round 14: [k2tog, k6] repeat to end.
Round 15, 17: [yif, s4, yib, k3] repeat to end.
Round 16: Knit.
Round 18: [k2, ssk, k3] repeat to end.
Round 19: [yif, s3, yib, k3] repeat to end.
Round 20: [k1, make butterfly, k4] repeat to end.
Round 21: [k4, k2tog] repeat to end.
Round 22: [k3, k2tog] repeat to end.
Round 23: [k2, k2tog] repeat to end.
Round 24: [k1, k2tog] repeat to end.
Round 25: [k2tog] repeat to end.

Cut off the thread, leaving a 6" tail. Using a tapestry needle, slip the remaining stitches onto the yarn tail, bring the tail to the wrong side through the center and pull tight. Weave in the ends and you're done!