Whirlpool Galaxy Hat

I made my friend a hat with Messier 51 on it as a graduation present. Here’s the pattern. Above is an image of the two variations - on the left, the looser, taller beanie, and on the right, the original design, which fits a bit tighter.

Materials:

2 skeins Cascade 220 in different colors: I used a sort of midnight blue for MC and cream for CC

Needles: Size 6 – Circular or DPN

CO 80 sts

Join, work in k1, p1 rib for 6 rows

Row 7: *k5, m1 across. 96 sts.

K 3 rows.

Work chart as follows: k 30, work chart row, k to end

Starting at the row above the red line, dec 3 sts evenly across every row (first decrease row should look like *k30, k2tog* across, then each subsequent row should have one fewer stitch between decreases). Continue to work chart in same position relative to previous chart rows – there’ll be fewer than 30 stitches before the pattern starts, but that’s as it should be…

At some point, a line of decreases will overlap with the chart. Don’t worry about it – the leftmost edge of the galaxy will follow the line of decreases to form a nice curve. Once the chart has been completed, extend the single white stitch upwards in the same position as you continue knitting.

When 15 stitches remain, *k 2 MC, k 1 CC* across

Next row: *k 1 MC, k 1 CC* across

Switch entirely to CC for the remainder of the hat

When 3 stitches remain, cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches.

Sew in ends.

Variation: To make a larger, looser hat, decrease every other row