What yarn should I use?

Essential

• Black (to meet IDF requirements)
  
• Machine Washable (so it doesn't felt/shrink when washed)
  

Desirable

• Pure wool - preferably Australian grown and spun

While pure wool is not mandatory, I firmly believe there is no point knitting with acrylic yarn. You won't enjoy the knitting as much and the soldier won't get the warmth and water-resistant benefits of a pure-wool hat. And Australia produces some of the best and most reasonably-priced yarn in the world - one can buy a huge 200 gram ball of 8 or 12-ply Australian made and spun wool from Bendigo Woolen Mills for just $11.20. This is enough for at least 2 hats out of just one ball. Or buy what you enjoy knitting.

8-ply hat

Use 4mm 40cm circular needle and/or double-pointed needles (3.75mm if you are a loose knitter, 4.5mm if you are a tight knitter).

Note: Your complete hat should be between 14 and 16 inches in diameter (unstretched) - that's 35-40cm.

Loosely cast on 112 stitches. Join work, place marker and work in K2 P2 rib until work measures 9.5 inches/24 cm

Shape crown
(Here you begin a series of decrease rounds. When you find the hat getting too small to work on the circular needle, switch to double-pointed needles.)
Round 1: K2, P2tog to end of round (84 stitches remain)
Round 2: K2, P1 to end of round
Round 3: K2tog, P1 to end of round (56 stitches remain)
Round 4: K1, P1 to end of round
Round 5: K2tog to end of round (28 stitches remaining)
Round 6: Knit
Round 7: K2tog to end of round (14 stitches remaining)
Round 8: K5, K2tog twice (12 stitches remaining)
Round 9: K2tog to end of round (6 stitches remaining)

Break yarn, leaving a 6-inch/15cm length. With a tapestry needle, thread the yarn though the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight. Weave in the ends. Wash and dry your hat and mail it to: Channah Koppel, POB 3081, Efrat 90435 Israel.

12-ply hat

Use 6mm 40cm circular needle and/or double-pointed needles (5.5mm if you are a loose knitter, 6.5mm if you are a tight knitter).


Note: Your complete hat should be between 14 and 16 inches in diameter (unstretched) - that's 35-40cm.

Loosely cast on 84 stitches. Join work, place marker and work in K2 P2 rib until work measures 9.5 inches/24 cm

Shape crown
(Here you begin a series of decrease rounds. When you find the hat getting too small to work on the circular needle, switch to double-pointed needles.)
Round 1: K2, P2tog to end of round (63 stitches remain)
Round 2: K2, P1 to end of round
Round 3: K2tog, P1 to end of round (42 stitches remain)
Round 4: K1, P1 to end of round
Round 5: K2tog to end of round (21 stitches remaining)
Round 6: Knit
Round 7: K2tog, K1 to end of round (14 stitches remaining)
Round 8: K5, K2tog twice (12 stitches remaining)
Round 9: K2tog to end of round (6 stitches remaining)

Break yarn, leaving a 6-inch/15cm length. With a tapestry needle, thread the yarn though the remaining 6 stitches and pull tight. Weave in the ends. Wash and dry your hat and mail it to: Channah Koppel, POB 3081, Efrat 90435 Israel.