Tuesday, February 3, 2015

What's This? A Wide Brim Baby Hat Knitting Pattern


After finishing my handpun "What's This?", I knew that this superwash BFL yarn would be perfect for a baby hat for Lucky.  I wanted to show off the yarn to the fullest plus make a super warm hat for the Chicago winter we're having.  A stockinette hat would be great to show off the handspun, but I wanted a wider brim for better fitting.  It hit me, I would make a toddler version of the ChemKnits Wide Brim Skullcap Knitting Pattern, with a twist!


Materials
  • US Size 5 (3.75 mm) knitting needles (either double pointed or circular or large enough for magic loop.)  
  • Size H (5 mm) crochet hook for the optional bobble
  • Handspun What's This? Yarn.  A single ply, superwash Merino worsted weight yarn.  10 WPI.  ~95 Yards
  • Gauge: 20 sts /4" and 14 rows/ 2" over stockinette.  
  • Finished size:  8.75" from with brim unfolded.  6.5"+ with brim folded.  17" circumference.  
  • Modeled on a 15 month old with average (50th %ile)  head circumference.  
My handspun "What's This?" Yarn

Knitting Pattern for the Wide Brim Toddler Hat
  • Cast on 90 sts. Join to knit in the round.  
  • Work 22 rounds in K4, P5 ribbing or until the ribbed portion measures 3" from the cast on edge.  
  • Knit 30 rounds in stockinette (K every round) or until piece measures 7 inches from the cast on edge. 
  • Crown Decreases:
    • *K7, K2tog* across (80 sts)
    • K 1 round
    • *K6, K2tog* across (70 sts)
    • K 1 round
    • *K5, K2tog* across (60 sts)
    • K 1 round
    • *K4, K2tog* across (50 sts)
    • K 1 round
    • *K3, K2tog* across (40 sts)
    • K 1 round
    • *K2, k2tog* across (30 sts)
    • K1 round
    • *K1, k2tog* across (20 sts)
    • K 1 round
    • K2tog across (10 sts)
    • K 1 round
    • K2tog across (5 sts)
  • Cut yarn and pull through remaining stitches. Weave in loose ends and enjoy your skullcap!

Crochet Bobble
The pompom/bobble is a series of crochet chain loops secured to the crown.
  • With a size H crochet hook, Chain 26 sts (or 6") and join with a slip stitch in the first chain.  
  • Repeat 14 times or until you have the desired number of loops - I made 15.  The slip stitch should be approximately in the center, it doesn't need to be perfectly in the same stitch each time.  Join where makes the most sense for your bobble to keep the center tight.  
  • Stitch to the top of the hat.  

I filmed a video of my crochet loop bobble construction.  Hopefully this will help you understand what I did!  


The finished hat

This hat is long enough, that with luck, it will also fit Lucky next winter.  That is, if he doesn't manage to throw it out of the stroller first.  


Pictures of Progress
It isn't easy to photograph a toddler (15 months) in a hat on DPN's, but it is possible.  I didn't even lose any stitches!  


I started knitting with 114 g, 140 yards of my 10 WPI "What's This?" hand spun yarn.   The base hat weighs 71 g.  44 g remain.  37 g remain after the bobble, it used 7 g.


I really love designing hats for my little Lucky.  It is much more fun in the winter when he needs plenty of hats anyway.  We ended up with the most beautiful day just after a huge snowstorm so I was able to get some amazing pictures of Lucky in the hat.   This pictures make me grin, both as the Mama and as the crafter.   I hope they bring a smile to your day!  


---------------------------------------
Abbreviations Used in this pattern:
Kfb - increase by knitting into the front and back of a single stitch.
M1 (Make 1)- increase stitch by picking up yarn between two stitches, twisting and knitting.K - knit

P - purl
I-cord - knit stitches on dpn's without ever turning the needle (effectively knitting in the round with a small number of stitches.)
SSK - decrease by slipping two stitches then knitting them together. Alternatively, you could slip one stitch, knit one stitch and pass slipped stitch over.
K2tog - decrease by knitting two stitches together.

This knitting pattern was created by ChemKnits for your personal or charity use. You are not to sell, to distribute or reprint this pattern without the permission of ChemKnits. © 2015 ChemKnits