Felt Hat

I had a bunch of leftover yarn that I'd been using to felt bangles.  Cymone asked me to make her another 
hat...so this is what I came up with.

To Knit The Hat:
Use size US10 circular needles
4 US10 double pointed needles
Cascade Yarn -100% Peruvian Highland Wool in 2-3 different colors

Using 2 strands of different colored yarn, CO 80 sts +2 extra
Join to work in the round. Place marker (PM).
Row 1: K2, P2 to last 2 sts, K
Row 2: P2, K2 to last 2 sts, P2
Continue this pattern until piece measures 3 inches (approximately 20 rows).
Purl 1 entire row.  Switch one color here, if desired.
Knit all remaining rows.
When piece measures 26 inches, PM.  Begin to decrease.  Switch to double pointed needles when piece is too small for circular.
Row 1: K13, K2tog; K12, K2tog; K13, K2tog; K12, K2tog; (K13,K2g) twice.
Row 2: K
Row 3: K12, K2tog; K11, K2tog; K12, K2tog; K11, K2tog; (K12, K2tog) twice.
Row 4: K
Row 5: K11, K2tog; K10, K2tog; K11, K2tog; K10, K2tog; (K11, K2tog) twice.
Row 6: K
Continue decreasing in this manner until there are only 4-6 sts left on each needle. Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail. Pull string through remaining loops as you release them from needles. Pull to tighten, weave in ends.

Felting The Hat:
Sarah White gives a clear felting tutorial on her blog. I have summed up her tutorial below.

- Set your washing machine on the lowest water setting, the highest temperature and the longest agitation possible.
- Turn on the machine and let it fill with water.
- Add 2 Tbsp Woolite or other soft detergent (optional)
- Place bangles in pillowcase with zipper. Drop your bundle in the machine.
- Check on your knitting frequently to see if your project is felting. Set a timer for 5 minutes and stop the machine when the timer goes off.
- Pull out your knitted swatch and gently wring out some of the water. Take a look at what you've got. Spread a dry towel out somewhere, lay down your swatch, and grab your tape measure. Keep setting your timer and peaking in on your work every 5 minutes to check the felting. You might need to reset your machine to start the agitation cycle again once or twice, depending on the length of the cycle and how the felting is going.
- Do NOT let your washer drain or spin during the felting process.
- After a few of these 5-minute sessions, you'll start to see that the individual stitches are disappearing and the fabric is getting smaller. The fabric will start feeling more firm and solid and somewhat thicker as it gets closer to being done.
- Once you start seeing the stitches disappearing, start checking the pieces more often, every 1-2 minutes, to make sure you don't take the felting process too far.
- Once you've felted and rinsed you piece, block the bangles by placing them over a mason jar or glass. Leave it to dry.