A few short days before Christmas, and I had yet to CO anything for the men on my side of the family.  Since they all live about 3000 miles from me, I also had no live bodies to actually measure. 

I polled the men on my husband’s side of the family, and learned several things.  First, that cream (aka undyed merino) is not a manly color.  Yes, you heard it here first, folks, cream is not a manly color.  I also learned that cables are not manly, nor is anything with a pattern on it.  It won’t surprise you that I have yet to knit for this side of the family…

But I digress, I needed a manly hat, to easily fit variety of sizes.  And since at least one of the men has a ginormous brain (or exceedingly thick skull) I clearly needed some simple, stretchy, manly ribbing. 

Mannelijke
Materials:
Less than 150yds worsted weight wool yarn (Cascade 220 works well, but any worsted is fine
3.75mm (US5) circular needle; 20″ or size you prefer to use
stitch marker (optional)
yarn needle

Sizes:
One-size fits all; if you’re worried the head you’re knitting for will be too big for the hat, CO an additional 10 stitches and work the pattern as written.

Instructions:

1. CO 100 using long-tail cast-on (or your preferred stretchy-ish CO)
2. Join work, being careful not to twist stitches; place marker if desired
3. (K5, p2, k1, p2); repeat around until work measures 7in from CO edge

Mannelijke at Rest

Work Crown Decreases:

1. (k2tog, k3, p2, k1, p2) around
2. (k4, p2, k1, p2) around
3. (k2, ssk, p2, k1, p2) around
4. (k3, p2, k1, p2) around
5. (k2tog, k1, p2, k1, p2) around
6. (k2, p2, k1, p2) around
7. (k2, p2tog, k1, p2) around
8. (k1, p1, k1, p2) around
9. (k1, p1, k1, p2tog) around
10. (k1, p1) around
11. (k1, p2tog, p1) around
12. (k1, p2) around
13. (k1, p2tog) around
14. (k2tog) around
15. repeat row 14
16. Use tapestry needle to thread tail of yarn through remaining stitches, pull tight
17. Weave in ends

Since it’s (finally) spring, it’s unlikely I’ll be knitting another tester anytime soon, but if anyone is interested in trying this pattern out, I’d love to hear how it goes.

I am considering making a blanket, or lots of blankets, for Christmas gifts this year.  In garter stitch.  I know, you’re thinking “boring as all get-out.”  But it’s on the diagonal, so once you start decreasing, it will feel like it’s going faster!  

My inspiration?  Santa Ana, a bulky weight, quality fun fur/eyelash type yarn, available at a really great price.  I haven’t bought the yarn yet because I’m indecisive about the colour(s) I want to use, but I have come up with the pattern.  I haven’t knit any yet, but a friend knit 10 balls of Santa Ana up in straight garter stitch, which resulted in a 95cm square.  Knitting on the bias should result in a similar size. 

Materials:
Since this pattern can really be used with any yarn, it’s dependent on the yarn you choose.  Remember to note how much yarn you used on your increase rows – you will need to have the same amount for your decrease rows.  Needle size?  Choose a size appropriate for your yarn. 

Instructions:
CO 3
Odd rows: k across
Even rows (increase rows): k1, m1, k to last stitch, m1, k1

To make a parallellogram (it’s not quite rectangular, but close) work increases until desired length of short side is achieved, then:

Even rows (for rectangle): k1, k2tog, kto last stitch, m1, k1

When desired length & width are achieved on the two sides you have, begin decrease rows:
Even rows (decrease rows): k1, k2tog, k to last 3 stitches, ssk, k1 until only 3 stitches remain.

BO 3.

I wouldn’t bother blocking, but that’s just me.

I will post some pictures and created a downloadable PDF just as soon as I’ve knit one of these up.  In the meantime, have at it.