A Santa (or elf) hat to fit your Christmas baby.
Gauge is roughly 9sts for 2" in stockinette on the larger needles.
This hat can be made shorter by knitting fewer plain rows in between decrease rows. If you want to have a pointed hat without a pompom, knit another 2 rows after your last round of decreases.
Using contrast color and smaller needles, cast on 48sts and join to knit in the round. K2P2 around for 6 rounds.
Change to main color and larger needles, knit plain until hat measures 3.5" from cast on edge. Begin shaping rows.
Row 1: [K10, K2tog] 4 times, 1 round done, 4sts decreased.
Rows 2-4: knit plain.
Repeat rows 1-4 until you have 8sts left on the needles. After row 4 decrease once more to have 4 sts on the needle. At this point you can knit two more rows to have a pointed tip, or end here for a flatter tip to attach a pompom. Draw yarn through stitches and tighten to fasten off. Weave in ends. Attach pompom or tassel if desired.
