Abbreviations and Terms
Definitions of knitting terms and abbreviations can be found on the Stitch Guide page.

The Pattern
Using larger needle, cast on 78 (84) sts.
Place marker (PM) and join for working in the rnd being careful not to twist sts.
Rnds 1 & 2: [K1tbl, p1] to end of rnd.

Rnd 3 (Size 18” Only): K2tog, knit to end of rnd – 77 sts.
Rnd 3 (Size 20” Only): Knit. Rnd 4: [K9 (10), k2tog] 7 times – 70 (77) sts.

Rnds 5 & 6: Knit.
Rnd 7: [K8 (9), k2tog] 7 times – 63 (70) sts.
Rnd 8: Knit. Change to smaller needle.
Rnds 9 & 10: Knit.
Rnd 11 (“belt rnd”): [K1, yo, ssk, k3 (4), k2tog, yo, k1] 7 times.
Rnds 12, 13 & 14: Knit.

Change to larger needle.

Knit every rnd until piece measures 5 (5.5)” from

Crown Decreases
Rnd 1: [K7 (8), k2tog, PM] 7 times – 56 (63) sts remain.
Rnd 2: [Knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog, slip marker] 7 times – 7 sts decreased.
*Repeat Rnd 2 until 14 sts remain.

Last Rnd: K2tog 7 times – 7 sts remain.
Pull through remaining 7 loops on needles.

I-cord
Using smaller dpns, cast on 2 sts.
Work a 2-st i-cord for 26 (28)”
Fasten off.

Finishing
Loosely lace the i-cord through eyelets that were worked on Rnd 11 (“belt rnd”) of hat. Do this by *going down through one eyelet and then up through the eyelet two sts to the left and then over the next 5 (6) sts; rep from * until you’ve gone around the entire hat. Go back through the first 2 eyelets with the end of the i-cord to finish.
Sew your button over the ends to secure.
Fasten off and weave in all ends.