Cast on 72 (stitch counts and beginning from Basic Baby Hat). K2p2 for 7 rows. K until hat measures 4”. At 4” began decreases:
Row 1: (k7 k2tog) repeat
Row 2: k
Row 2: (k6 k2tog) repeat
Row 3: k
Row 4: (k5 k2tog) repeat
Row 5: k
Row 6: (k4 k2tog) repeat
Row 7: k
Row 8: (k3 k2tog) repeat
Row 9: k
Row 10: (k2 k2tog) repeat
Row 11: k
Row 12: (k1 k2tog) repeat
Row 13: k
Row 14: (k2tog) repeat
String the remaining sts together.
For the little ears/horns, I cast on 12 sts and knit them in the round magic loop for 2 rounds and then k into front and back of first and 7th st to increase to 14 sts. I was trying to mimic the shape tapering at the head, but I think I would have needed to k several more rounds of 12 sts to accomplish this. After 15 rows of yellow, began to add black tips.
Row 16 k first and last st in black; the rest yellow.
Row 17 k first an last sts 1 and 2 black; the rest yellow.
Row 18 k first and last sts 1-3 black; the rest yellow.
Row 19 k first and last sts 1-4 black; the rest yellow.
Row 20: k first and last sts 1-5 black; the rest yellow.
Row 21: k first and last sts 1-6 black; the rest yellow.
Row 22: all 14 sts black.
Row 23: k2tog, k10, k2tog.
Row 24: k2tog, k8, k2tog.
Row 25: k2tog, k6, k2tog.
Row 26: k2tog, k4, k2tog.
Row 27: k2tog, k2, k2tog.
Row 28: k2tog, k2tog.
Row 29: string through remaining 2 sts and secure yarn. I stuffed the ear/horns with batting, but due to the way the black parts worked, I couldn’t stuff all the way to the tips. I’d knit the black parts differently next time, but for a novelty hat, I wasn’t willing to spend the time to fix them. Sewed the ear/horns onto the hat using the cast on tail.
Duplicate stitch and embroidered face using pictures from the internet as my guide.
First grandson in the hat on the top. Second grandson wearing hand-me-down hat in stripes at 1 1/2 weeks old.