MÖBIUS HAT by Libby Grant A Möbius strip is a strip that has only one side and one edge. It is made possible by simply placing a half twist in a strip before you join its two edges. August Möbius conceived of this ingenious strip in September 1858, and in his honor, Libby Grant has incorporated it into an exciting hat in fall colors. It can be worn as a stylish chemo cap, or as a fun topper for any occasion. Materials: 1 ball of elann.com Esprit (98.3% cotton/ 1.7% elastic, 100 yards (relaxed) per 50-gram ball). Size US 7 (4.5mm) needles, either 2 circulars or a set of double pointed needles, or size required to obtain gauge. Buttons. Yarn needle. Note: For a proper fit, it is important to use a sport weight yarn with elastic in its fiber content. Gauge: 19 sts = 3 inches in seed stitch. Seed Stitch: Row 1: (k, p) repeat to end Row 2: (p, k) repeat to end Repeat rows 1 and 2. NOTE: This hat is constructed in two stages. First a strip is knitted and then sewn together with a half twist in it creating a Möbius strip. The strip that you are knitting increases on the one side only. This will create the hat flap to cover the neck for added warmth. Second, stitches are knitted up around the Möbius band forming the hat. Method: Using one circular needle or 2 dpn, cast on 18 sts. K in seed stitch for 7 inches. Increase 1 st at beg of row every other row 9 times (27 sts). Note: You are increasing on only one side of the strip. Work even in seed st for 1 ½ inches. Decrease 1 stitch at beg of row every other row 9 times, on same side as incs previously worked (18 sts and the strip should be about 12.5 inches in length). Work even in seed st until the strip measures 16 inches in total length. BO all sts. Now twist one side of the band and then sew to the other side forming a Moebius strip. Determine where you want to position the twist and then tack it into place with one of your buttons. Pick up and knit 80 sts from the inside of straight edge of band about 2 sts in (basically so you are not picking up the stitches on the edge of the band but rather on the inside of it). Join in round. Use either double pointed needles or 2 circular needles, which ever is easiest for you. Knit in stocking stitch (K every round) until hat measures about 5 inches from the top of the band. Decrease for top as follows: Round 1: (K14, K2tog) 5 times Round 2: (K13, K2tog) 5 times Round 3: (K12, K2tog) 5 times Continue dec rounds in this fashion until you have 5 stitches remaining. Cut yarn leaving a 6” tail and draw it through the 5 stitches. Weave in the end. Weave in all ends and enjoy! Add extra buttons for decoration as desired. ABBREVIATIONS: beg – beginning, BO - bind off, dec – decrease, dpn – double point needles, inc(s) – increase(s), k – knit, p – purl, st(s) - stitch(es), St-st – stocking (stockinette) st. Please note this pattern is copyrighted material and the entire contents of this pattern are copyrighted as a collective work under the copyright laws of Canada and the United States. You may print a copy of this pattern for your own personal use and enjoyment, but editing, publishing, transmitting, e-mailing, posting it to a list service or database, or otherwise commercially exploiting this pattern is strictly forbidden. Copyright Elann.com Inc.