Knitting

I'm accustomed to knitting with pretty small needles most of the time, US size 10 is pretty standard around here, but with one week to make three knit hats, I had to figure out a different plan of attack.
I searched Ravelry and to my delight found the perfect pattern for a chunky knit hat.


Yarn: Cascade, magnum. 1 skein will make one small and one large.
Needles: size US 15 circular
Gauge: 2 stitches per 1”
Size: small (large)
Measurement: 20” (22”) round

Cast on 44 (48) stitches.
Knit in garter stitch for 6 (10) rows.
Change to stockinette and knit until piece measures 5 1/2 (6 1/2 ) inches, ending with a wrong side row.

Next row: (RS) knit 2 together until end. 22 (24) stitches.
Next row: (WS) Purl 2 together until end. 11 (12) stitches.
Next row: (RS) Knit 2 tog to end. {on this row, on the small size, you will
knit 2 tog 5x, and have 1 stitch remaining for 6 stitches total} 6 stitches also remain for
large size. Cut yarn and run through remaining 6 stitches.

Finishing: Sew together seam, being careful to line up garter rows.

NOTES: This can also be knit on 4 double point, size 15 needles, to avoid seaming.
Large size in parentheses.
Play around with the length of the garter stitch depending on your liking.
Garter stitch: Knit every row.
Stockinette stitch: Knit on the right side, purl on the wrong side. Both hats shown are
knit with the 44 stitch cast on (I like a tight hat, and have a smallish head.) I then
followed the large pattern, knitting 10 rows of garter, changing to stockinette and knitting
for 6 1/2 inches.

I deviated from the pattern just slightly.
I used two US 15 straight needles because after going to one craft store and calling two others, that's all I could find. I'm sure an actual yarn store would have been more helpful, but I was pressed for time, like I said.
I knit garter stitch for 8 rows (not 6) and knit stockinette until the piece measured 7 1/2 to 8 inches (not 6 1/2).
I decided on these changes after I read some of the reviews on Ravelry and am happy I made the hat longer than the pattern suggested.

I love this pattern. I can't wait to make more of these hats!
Do you use Ravelry?
What are some of your favorite patterns?