Spiralis Hat

It's been a pretty dreary day here in Maryland. Sleet and freezing rain has kept me inside all day. But with that time, I was finally able to write up my first original knitted hat pattern. It won 1st place at the Maryland State Fair in the original design category in 2016. The judges liked it. Now the pattern is written up and available for the world to make. (I know I look a little angry in the first photo, but it's the best one I have of me wearing the hat.)

Materials:
-Bulky weight yarn (100-120 yds)
     -Alternatively, two DK weight yarns knitted together also works.
-Size 9 circular needles
-Size 9 double pointed needles
-Stitch marker
-Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Abbreviations:
-K - knit
-P - purl
-SSK - slip slip knit (decrease)

Pattern:

Cast on 64 stitches.

First Straight Section

1.   *K2, P2. Repeat from * around.

2.   K around.

3.   Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 until work reaches 3 inches long. End on Round 2.

Start Spiral

4.   K1, *P2, K2. Repeat from * until last stitch. K in last stitch.

5.   K around.

6.   *P2, K2. Repeat from * around.

7.   K around.

8.   P1, *K2, P2. Repeat from * until last stitch. P in last stitch.

9.   K around.

10. *K2, P2. Repeat from * around.

11. K around.

12-17. Repeat Rounds 4-9.

Back to Straight

18. Repeat Rounds 10 and 11 until this section measures 1.5-2.0 inches. End on Round 10.

Shaping the Crown (switch to double pointed needles when needed)

19. *K6, SSK. Repeat from * around.

20 *K2, P2, K2, P1. Repeat from * around.

21. *K5, SSK. Repeat from * around.

22. *K2, P2, K2. Repeat from * around.

23. *K4, SSK. Repeat from * around.

24. *K2, P2, K1. Repeat from * around.

25. *K3, SSK. Repeat from * around.

26. *K2, P1, K1. Repeat from * around.

27. *K2, SSK. Repeat from * around.

28. K around.

29. *K1, K2tog. Repeat from * around.

30. K around.

31. K2tog around.

Break yarn leaving a long end. Draw yarn through remaining stitches to close the top. Secure yarn. Weave in ends.