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Using size 7 circular needles, loosely cast 64 stitches in lilac and join.
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Knit in knit or stockinet stitch (K all rounds) for 4 or 5 rounds, using the yarn tail as a guide for rounds (The edge will curl as you knit).
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Switch to size 8 circular needles, (making sure you still have 64 sts).
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Add one or K2tog if you need to, and continue in st until hat is at least 4 or 4 1/2 inches from edge. (You can make it deeper so it will pull down over ears).
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At this point, it will be 2” slanting inward for the crown.
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The leaves: They are worked in multiples of 8 sts and create a reverse triangle over 4 rows. (like a bowling pin setup).
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Join the green yarn leaving a longish tail.
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*K 1 green, then K 7* lilac. Repeat **around.
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As you come around and are 1 st away from the first green st, the last set of each round of repeats will have 1 fewer sts lilacs before you K the greens. The greens will be centered over the ones from the previous row.
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*K 3 green then K 5 lilac.
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*Repeat ** around until you are 1 st away from the 3 greens.
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*K 5 green, then K 3 lilac.* Repeat ** around until you are 1 st away from the 5 greens.
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*K 7 greens then K1 lilac.* Repeat ** around to 1 st away from the green. (You now should have all green stitches on the needle except for 8 single lilacs)
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K the single lilac stitch, then 2 greens. Place marker.
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Continue in green for the round. Slip the marker.
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Cut the lilac yarn leaving a long tail.
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Begin the decrease:
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Round 1: *K 2 tog. K 6.* Repeat ** around. Slip the marker. (56 st remaining)
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Round 2: *K 2 tog. K 5.* Repeat ** around. Slip the marker. (48 st remaining)
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Transfer to the dp needles after this row.
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put 2 sets each on 4 needles and have the 5th to knit onto. (Try to keep the marker between 2 sets on a single needle.)
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Row 3: *K 2 tog. K 4.* Repeat ** around. Slip the marker. (40 st remaining)
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Row 4: *K 2 tog. K 3.* Repeat ** around. Slip the marker. (32 st remaining)
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Row 5: *K 2 tog. K 2.* Repeat ** around. Slip the marker. (24 st remaining)
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Row 6: *K 2 tog. K 1.* Repeat ** around. Slip the marker. (16 st remaining)
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Row 7: *K 2 tog.* Repeat ** around. Slip the marker. (8 st remaining)
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Row 8: *K 2 tog.* Repeat ** around. Slip the marker. (4 st remaining)
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Top knot: Slip the remaining 4 st onto a single dp needle and make i-cord (see below) for about 4 inches. Bind off the 4 sts. Tie the final loop off and cut a long tail.
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Thread onto the yarn needle and insert the needle into the tube, so it pokes out into the center of the inside of the hat. Pull far enough that the i-cord bunches up a bit and then cut the yarn off. When you release, the free yarn will be hidden inside the i-cord. Tie to i-cord into a knot close to the body of the hat.
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Weave the remaining loose yarn ends into the work invisibly.
With 4 sts on one dp needle, knit onto another dp needle. DO NOT TURN THE NEEDLE AFTER THE ROW. Slide the sts to the other end and knit again, pulling the yarn across the back of the work to begin the next row. As you continue, a tube will form. Make the larger size for toddler on 72 stitches and K the main part for 5 or 5 1/2 inches before starting the leaves. The leaves are done the same way on multiples of 8 sts, but you’ll get 9 leaves instead of 8.