Space Invader Hat

Years ago, I started these and gave them all around.  However, I never published a pattern for them.  With an upcoming move, I remembered that I promised someone to make them one and haven’t managed in five years (there are _good_ reasons for that, though).  Finally, I made another one and this time, I thought of writing things down.  So enjoy this little friend.  (I also plan on doing one with another space invader, so if you want a more iconic version, stay tuned.)

Materials you need:

• 3.5 mm double pointed needles (dpns) (or circulars for magic loop method)
• 2 balls of yarn (I used Lana Grossa Cool Wool for that project, but any sports weight will do) in different colours (I will use the actual colours used here to explain the pattern)
• stitch markers
• tapestry needle

Abbreviations (a.k.a. stitches you should know):

• k – knit
• p – purl
• ktbl – knit through back loops
• k2tog – knit two together
• stb – switch to black
• stg – switch to green

Techniques you should know (because I will not explain them; there are already so many helpful videos and tutorials out there!):

• intarsia
• intarsia in the round
• how to switch colours effectively horizontally and vertically

Pattern:

• 2×2 rib: 2ktbl, 2p (throughout the round)

Steps:

1. with black: cast on 120 stitches
2. distribute stitches on needles (if you use dpns) as you like, join the round, being careful not to twist
3. work 3 rows in 2×2 rib
4. stg, repeat step 3
5. stb, repeat step 3
6. repeat step 4
7. stb, k 3 rows
8. stg, k 3 rows
9. repeat step 7, k 3 more rows
10. k48, stg, k3, stb, k3, stg, k3, stb, k6, stg, k3, stb, k3, stg, k3, stb, k48  (you start intarsia in the round for the end of the round)
11. p48, stg, p3, stb, p3, stg, p3, stb, p6, stg, p3, stb, p3, stg, p3, stb, p48
12. repeat step 10
13. p51, stg, p3, stb, p3, stg, p6, stb, p3, stg, p3, stb, p51
14. k51, stg, k3, stb, k3, stg, k6, stb, k3, stg, k3, stb, k51
15. repeat step 13
16. k54, stg, k3, stb, k6, stg, k3, stb, k54
17. p54, stg, p3, stb, p6, stg, p3, stb, p54
18. repeat step 16
19. p48, stg, p24, stb, p48
20. k48, stg, k24, stb, k48
21. repeat step 19
22. k48, stg, k6, stb, k3, stg, k6, stb, k3, stg, k6, stb k48
23. p48, stg, p6, stb, p3, stg, p6, stb, p3, stg, p6, stb, p48
24. repeat step 22
25. p51, stg, p18, stb, p51
26. k51, stg, k18, stb, k51
27. repeat step 25
28. k54, stg, k12, stb, k54
29. p54, stg, p12, stb, p54
30. repeat step 28
31. p57, stg, p6, stb, p57
32. k57, stg, k6, stb, k57
33. repeat step 31
34. k 6 rows
35. stg, k 3 rows
36. stb, k 3 rows
37. stg, (k13, k2tog) around, k 1 row, (k12, k2tog) around
38. stb, (k11, k2tog) around, k 1 row, (k10, k2tog) around
39. stg, (k9, k2tog) around, k1 row, (k3, k2tog) around
40. stb, (k2, k2tog) around, k1 row, (k1, k2tog) around
41. thread yarn twice through remaining stitches and pull tightly
42. weave in ends
43. set your intarsia straight
44. block if wanted
45. done!