MVP: a hat pattern

We all know a sports fan. I knit this hat for a guy who lives & breathes for his team; he even had the elastics for his braces in his team colors! (and that tells you I've known him awhile, too)
I've used a DK superwash merino for warmth & acknowledging that this is going to a guy who will not handwash ;) Stripes that don't look like stripes are easy to substitute the proper colors for your MVP's team.
**The original was knit for a Calgary Flames man**
Onto the fun part!

DK weight yarn as follows:
100yds MC (black)
25yds C1 (red)
15yds C2 (yellow)
2yds C3 (white)
*I used Diamond Luxury Collection Fine Merino Superwash DK*

needles: 16" 4.0mm circular, set of 5 4.0 dpns

gauge: 26sts/28rnds = 4" in Linen Stitch

abbreviations:
sl1wyif- bring yarn to front of work as if to purl, slip next st purlwise, return yarn to back of work


PATTERN:
Cast on 120 sts with MC. Join in the round & work 3" in K2, P2 ribbing. Continuing with MC, start Linen Stitch.
Rnd 1: *K1, sl1wyif; repeat from * around
Rnd 2: K
Rnd 3: *Sl1wyif, K1; repeat from * around
Rnd 4: K
Change to C1 and work 8 rnds in Linen stitch.
Change to C2 and work 4 rnds in Linen stitch.
Change to C3 and work 2 rnds in Linen stitch.
Change to C2 and work 4 rnds in Linen stitch.
Change to C1 and work 8 rnds in Linen stitch.
Change to MC and work 4 rnds in Linen stitch.
Continuing with MC, work 6 rnds of K2, P2 ribbing.

Dec section- (switch to dpns whenthere are not enough sts to comfortable knit with the circular needle)
Rnd 1: *K2, P2tog, K2, P2; repeat from * around (105sts)
Rnd 2: *K2, P1, K2, P2; repeat from * around
Rnd 3: *K2, P1, K2, P2tog; repeat from * around (90sts)
Rnd 4: *K2, P1; repeat from * around
Rnd 5: *K2tog, P1, K2, P1; repeat from * around (75sts)
Rnd 6: *K1, P1, K2, P1; repeat from * around
Rnd 7: *K1, P1, K2tog, P1; repeat from * around (60sts)
Rnd 8: *K1, P1; repeat from * around
Rnd 9: *SSK; repeat from * around (30sts)
Rnd 10: K around
Rnd 11: *K2tog; repeat from * around (15sts)
Rnd 12: *K2tog; repeat from * to last st: K1 (8sts)
Cut yarn & draw through remaining sts 1 or 2 times, secure on inside of hat. Finish in ends. Give to your favorite MVP.