I See Stars Hat

I'm sorry the colors are so washed out
Stitch definition had to take priority this time =)

Makes about a size Medium

Needles:
Size 10 dpns - I'm a very tight knitter, so if you are a loose knitter, size 9 or 8 may work better and of course, you could use circs and magic loop.

Gauge:
19 stitches per 4 inches / 12 rows per 2 inches

Yarn:
Between worsted and bulky - my book describes it is as fisherman or medium weight(UK Aran) This particular yarn is from a Navajo reservation, there is no ply, just twist. Sort of like what I imagine pencil roving would turn into if you just put a little stretch and twist on it. (as IF I know what I'm talking about there, haha) Of course taking into account how tightly I knit, you could probably go up in yarn to bulky and use the 10 needles and achieve the same gauge if you are not such a tight knitter.

Abbreviation MS = Make Star

Make Star:
K3tog without slipping stitches off, bring yarn to the front then K the same 3 stitches together again slipping them off this time.

Cast on 60 and join without twisting. (I prefer the long tail cast on because it's more stretchy, but that's just me)

Knit 5 rounds

Increase Round:
*K1, Inc 1 in next stitch* repeat for entire round (90 stitches)

Knit in stockinette stitch for 3 1/2 inches

Pattern stitch:
Round 1: *K3, MS* repeat for entire round
Round 2: Knit all stitches
Round 3: *MS, K3* repeat for entire round
Round 4: Knit all stitches

Rounds 5 - 8: Repeat rounds 1-4 one more time

Knit 4 more rounds or about half and inch

Decreases/Shaping Rounds:

Round 1: *K1, K2tog* repeat for entire round (60 stitches)
Round 2 and all even rounds: Knit all stitches
Round 3: *K8, K2tog* repeat for entire round (54 stitches)
Round 5: *K7, K2tog* repeat for entire round (48 stitches)
Round 7: *K6, K2tog* repeat for entire round (42 stitches)
Round 9: *K5, K2tog* repeat for entire round (36 stitches)
Round 11: *K4, K2tog* repeat for entire round (30 stitches)
Round 13: *K3, K2tog* repeat for entire round (24 stitches)

Here you can go two ways - a more pointed hat or a more rounded one. I didn't really mean to make mine so pointy, which is why I added the pom pom - for pointed pom pom version proceed as follows:
Round 15: *K2, K2 tog* repeat for entire round (20 stitches)
Round 17: K2tog all the way around (10 stitches)
Cut yarn, run end through the stitches left, pull tight as you can and anchor. Weave in.

If you want a more rounded hat (with or without pom pom) proceed as follows
Round 15: K2tog all the way around (12 stitches)
Cut yarn, run end through the stitches left, pull tight as you can and anchor. Weave in.

For those of you who want pom poms and don't know how to make them, I too am not so great at it. I used the instruction in the back of my Vogue Knitting Quick Reference. I'm hoping there's an easier way. There dozens of YouTube videos out there. You can start with this one and pick your favorite, they at least look easier than what I did. Even though it turned out decently thick enough, unlike my first one. (scary)

There's probably a typo or two in here, since I stink at proofing my own work, let me know if you catch any mistakes =)