Yes We Can!

In honor of the Wisconsin Primary tomorrow--get out and vote, all my fellow WI folks--I'm sharing this free hat pattern. All the pics should get bigger if you click on them....Enjoy!
YES WE CAN HAT
Yarn: In photo, Blue is Malabrigo Worsted in Bijou Blue (608); the cream is a discontinued Knit Picks cashmere blend. I would use Malabrigo Natural (63) instead, or the yarn of your choice in the correct gauge.
Needles: Size 8 US circular, 16”, and size 8 dpn’s
Gauge:16 st/4 inches, or 4 st/inch
Size: adult medium to large (21-23”)
Notions: yarn needle

Note: Because the first two rows of the color chart only contain three or less blue stitches, I chose not to carry the yarn around, and instead finished the tail of the ‘y’ with duplicate stitch/Swiss Darning after the hat was done. If you really want to carry the yarn all the way around, or fudge it another way, start following the color chart at Row 9.
Also, the decrease used throughout is [k2tog]; if you prefer a left-slanting decrease, substitute [ssk]. ;)

pattern:

CO 84 st and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Rows 1-4: *k2, p2*
Rows 5-8: *k1, p1*
Rows 9-11: knit.
Row 12: begin following color chart; start with bottom row of all letters but ‘y’. (See Note above) Leave 2 cream st on each side of letters, and begin Filler Graph for back of hat after each row of letters.
Rows 13-18 follow color chart, stranding yarn loosely to keep hat tension relaxed.

oops--ignore the bottom 3 empty rows. Little scanner burp there.

Wow! This little filler graph got big on here! It's just 5 st x 5st, really.

Body of Hat: Knit all rows until hat measures 6 inches from bottom.

Decreases:
Decrease row 1: *k4, k2tog*
Row 2-3: knit
Row4: *k3, k2tog*
Row 5-6: knit
Row 7: *k2, k2tog*
Row 8-9: knit
Row 10: *k1, k2tog*
Row 11-12: knit
Row 13: *k1, k2tog*
Row 14-15:knit
Row 15: *k2tog*

Finishing: Cut yarn with approximately a 12” tail, and thread through yarn needle. Bring through all rem live st and pull closed; weave in end securely.
Return to tail of ‘y’ and use duplicate Stitch/Swiss Darning for the four missing blue st.
Weave in all ends.
Wear with pride, give to a friend or make one for an Obama fundraising event!
--Jaala Spiro
www.koiknitting.com
blog: typepad on knitcircus.com.

This pattern is for personal use or as a donation or fundraiser for the Barack Obama campaign only--I know you're above all that selling it for your own profit stuff.