Mammillaria

Yarn: fingering weight, approximately 250 (300, 360) yds./229 (274.5, 329) m
Shown in Fibernymph Dye Works Bounce (80% superwash merino/20% nylon; 400 yds./366 m per 3.5 oz./100 g skein) in Keep On Going, one skein

Needles: US 2 (2.75 mm), or size needed to obtain gauge, and US 1 (2.25 mm), or one size smaller than size needed to obtain gauge
Use your preferred method to knit small circumferences in the round; in addition, two extra double-pointed needles (DPNs) are needed for the first round of the crown decreases.

Gauge: 30 stitches and 50 rounds = 4 in./10 cm in bubble stitch

Sizes: Small (Medium, Large), to fit head circumference of 20 (22, 24) in./51 (56, 61) cm

If self-striping yarn on its own isn’t exciting enough, why not add some fun texture and a dramatic crown to spice up your wardrobe? This slouchy beanie, named for the pincushion cactus it resembles, is the perfect use for a skein of self-striping sock yarn that is perhaps too pretty to hide in your shoes. Worked in the round from the bottom up, it features a hemmed brim for fit and extra warmth, a fun textured bubble stitch, and eye-catching decreases in the form of pleats at the crown.

To knit this hat, you need to know how to:

• knit and purl in the round,
• join live stitches with a cast-on edge,
• knit into a stitch below the one on the needle, and
• work an ssk decrease.

The hat can be worked on any needles used to work small circumferences in the round, but for the pleated decreases, an additional two double-pointed needles are required. A photo tutorial also is included for this special decrease.

This pattern has been professionally tech edited.