And The Malabrigo Goes To...

First, I want to say a big "Thank You!" to everyone who stopped in to let me know about their contribution to help people in Haiti.  They need all the help they can get, so I appreciate your kindness and generosity.  Without further ado, here are the drawing winners:

#1.  The Malabrigo Sock yarn goes to Amy.
#2.  The Malabrigo Worsted goes to Kate.
#3.  The Malabrigo Chunky goes to ikkinlala.

If you see your name on the list, please email me with your mailing address.  I will send off your Malabrigo asap! 

I wanted to have something to share with everyone who dropped in and left me a comment, so I finished up a leafy top-down hat pattern I've been working on.   A friend offered to test knit this for me, but she hasn't had a chance yet.  So if you run into any questions or problems, feel free to email me.  I plan on making the pattern available on Ravelry too, but I wanted to post it here first, to give a little back to all of you.

Falling Leaves Hat

Yarn: 1 skein Malabrigo Worsted (I used color 194 - Cinnabar)
Needles: both DPN’s and 16” circular in Size 8 (5 mm), and Size 5 (3.75mm) 16” circular needles
Notions: Size G crochet hook, tapestry needle, and stitch markers
Gauge: 20 sts = 4 “ in St st

Directions:
Using a crochet hook, CO 8 sts with Emily Ocker’s Circular Beginning (described in Elizabeth Zimmermann’s Knitter’s Almanac), or another circular cast on method.
(If this is new to you, check out how-to videos on You Tube. I don't even crochet and I learned Emily Ocker’s method from this very helpful video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0gK7yn-M7Yg.  It creates a nice snug loop that won't come loose at the top of the hat.)

Transfer the 8 sts to 3 DPN’s, tighten loop by pulling on yarn tail.
Place marker for the beginning of the row.

(Note: Begin knitting increase rounds with DPN’s. When you have enough stitches, transfer knitting to circular needles.)

Increase rows:
Row 1: Kfb all sts. (16 sts)
Row 2: Knit.
Row 3: Kfb all sts. (32 sts)
Row 4: *K1, P1, repeat from * to end of row.
Row 5 *Kfb, P1, repeat from * to end. (48 sts)
Row 6: *K2, P1, repeat from * to end.
Row 7: *K1, Kfb, P1, repeat from * to end. (64 sts)
Row 8: *K2, P2, repeat from * to end.
Row 9: *K1, Kfb, P2, repeat from * to end. (80 sts)
Row 10: *K3, P2, repeat from * to end.
Row 11: * K2, Kfb, P2, repeat from * to end. (96 sts)
Row 12 & 13: *K3, P3, repeat from * to end.

Begin leaf pattern:
Row 14: *K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, P3, K3, P3, repeat from * to end. (112 sts)
(From now on, repeat from * eight times every row. At this point it may be helpful to place stitch markers between each pattern repeat.)
Row 15: *K5, P3, K3, P3.
Row 16: *K2, YO, K1, YO, K2, P3, K3, P3. (128 sts)
Row 17: *K7, P3, K3, P3.
Row 18: *K3, YO, K1, YO, K3, P3, K3, P3. (144 sts)
Row 19: *K9, P3, K3, P3.
Row 20: *SSK, K5, K2tog, P3, K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, P3.
Row 21: *K7, P3, K5, P3.
Row 22: *SSK, K3, K2tog, P3, K2, YO, K1, YO, K2, P3.
Row 23: *K5, P3, K7, P3.
Row 24: *SSK, K1, K2tog, P3, K3, YO, K1, YO, K3, P3.
Row 25: *K3, P3, K9, P3.
Row 26: *Slp1, K2tog, PSSO, P3, SSK, K5, K2tog, P3. (112 sts)
Row 27: *K1, P3, K7, P3.
Row 28: *M1R, K1, M1L, P3, SSK, K3, K2tog, P3.
Row 29: *K3, P3, K5, P3.
Row 30: *K1, YO, K1, YO, K1, P3, SSK, K1, K2tog, P3.
Row 31: *K5, P3, K3, P3.
Row 32: *K2, YO, K1, YO, K2, P3, Slp1, K2tog, PSSO, P3.
Row 33: *K7, P3, K1, P3.
Row 34: *K3, YO, K1, YO, K3, P3, M1R, K1, M1L, P3. (144 sts)
Row 35: *K9, P3, K3, P3.
Rows 36-43: Repeat Rows 20 - 27. (112 sts)
Row 44: *M1R, K1, M1L, P3, SSK, Slp1, K2tog, PSSO, K2tog, P3. (96 sts)

Now change to Size 5 circular needles for edge of hat.
Row 45: *K3, P3, K3, P3, repeat from * to end.

This last row establishes a 3x3 rib pattern. Continue 3x3 ribbing for 1 inch.
BO loosely and in pattern. Cut yarn, and weave in ends.
The yarn will relax with washing, and you will end up with a comfy, slightly slouchy hat.  Here are a couple more pics:

Abbreviations used:
BO - bind off
CO - cast on
DPN - double pointed needle
K - knit
K2tog - knit two stitches together
Kfb - Knit into the front and back the same stitch
M1L - make 1 left slant (increase)
M1R - make 1 right slant (increase)
P - purl
PSSO - pass slipped stitch over
Slp - slip 1 st as if to purl
St st - stockinette stitch
SSK - slip one st knitwise, slip 2nd st knitwise, knit the 2 sts together through back loops
YO - yarn over

I hope you enjoy the pattern.  If you do knit one up for yourself, I would love to hear about it!