Hi,

I started the hat as a swatch:) I used the tubular cast on, because then the 3 rows made sense. I have to find a yarn that is better suited for these cables than my Jaeger Aran Shetland. Monica

I agree with Monica, a tubular cast on is what is called for in this pattern. If you choose not to ue the tubular cast on, you should begin the rib pattern right away.

Yes, yes, tubular cast on...google for it if you don't know how (that's what I did).

I started the actual sweater this morning, working with the pattern as written, got to the crossed stitch row, and wondered aloud...

"hmmm...do they mean to do a back purl cross, passing 2 to the cable needle to the back of the work, purl the next stitch through the back loop, then purl the stitches off the cable needle, first stitch through the front and second to the back (as in the rest of the pattern) or are all three through the back of the loop?"

Well, I did it that way, and the stitches just pop in the Cascade 220. I'm also using a 7 needle for the band--the sweater is too small for ample me, and by all accounts, it looks like things are going to work out just fine.

I also had no trouble doing the back purl cross on a purl row. The cables came out perfect, although I believe that I'm going to add another 4 rows for length to cover up the hippy hippy.

I have a link to a good tutorial on tubular cast on. It has a removable crochet first row cast.
http://tinyurl.com/afyfq

Otherwise you can use your favorite first row cast on and cut it off later.

BGK