Mad Hatter 2011 and The World's Easiest Hat

We hat so much fun in October at Yarnies, because October was Mad Hatter Month!  Knitters became used to seeing me wearing the crazy top hat I found just for Mad Hatter, and...
We released 18 new patterns for hats!!!

So we'll get right to it.  Every post will have a hat pattern till we've got them all out here.  I promise to have other patterns over time, but for now, let's get to the first hat.

Yarn:  Cascade Yarns Baby Alpaca Chunky. Needles: One 16 inch circular needle and a matching set of double pointed needles. Gauge:  3.5 stitches per inch, in stockinette stitch, in the round. Note: When I knit flat, I slip the first stitch of every row.  This makes sewing up a seam easier and neater.  You can do this or not, as you choose. Garter Stitch:  Knit every stitch of every row. (You can still slip the first stitch if you like) Brim: Cast on 60 sts. Knit all stitches, back and forth, until you have 5 ridges of garter stitch. Join work, being careful not to twist. Knit around till your hat is 6 inches long, or 8 inches if you want a longer hat.

Decreasing for the crown (change to double pointed needles when needed): K4, k2tog, around. (50 stitches remain) Knit one round plain. K3, k2tog, around.  (40 stitches remain) Knit one round plain. K2, k2tog, around.  (30 stitches remain) Knit one round plain. K1, k2tog, around.  (20 stitches remain) K2tog, around.  (10 stitches remain) Finishing: Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail.  Thread  yarn  onto a needle, and  draw through remaining sts and pull tight.  Sew small seam on bottom of hat. Weave in the ends on the wrong side.