01 Home
19 Copyright
25 Advertisers
31 FAQs
29 Abbreviations

Basic winter hat

by Brandy Fortune

» photos: Brandy Fortune

The number one item every child needs in their winter wardrobe is a hat, and the best sort of hat is the kind that does its job well. A basic hat will match most items in even the most eclectic fashionista closet.

For extra flare, add a bit of fair isle, or, for a sporty edge, just add a few stripes in the child's favorite color. With 3 different patterns to choose from for the brim, you can get creative while still keeping things simple and easy to knit.

Size

Newborn [Baby, Toddler, Child, Youth]
Shown in Toddler size

Finished Measurements

Finished Circumference: 13.25[15, 17.75, 18.75, 19.5] inches
Finished Height (before turning Brim): 6[7.5, 8.75, 9.25, 9.75] inches

Materials

Spud and Chloë™ Sweater [55% superwash wool, 45% organic cotton; 160 yards/146 meters per 100 gram hank];

#7500 Ice Cream - 1[1, 1, 1, 1] hank

Recommended needle sizes

US #7/4.5 mm 16 inch circular needle and dpns or longer circular needle for magic loop method (Note: Newborn and Baby sizes will be more comfortably knit with dpns throughout or by using the magic loop method.)

NOTIONS

Stitch marker
Tapestry needle

GAUGE

18 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches square in St st

Pattern Notes

Pattern A (1x1 Rib) - Shown in photo
Round 1: * K1, P1; repeat from * around.
Repeat Round 1 for pattern.

Pattern B (3x1 Rib)
Round 1: * K3, P1; repeat from * around.
Repeat Round 1 for pattern.

Pattern C (Seed Stitch)
Round 1: * K1, P1; repeat from * around.
Round 2: * P1, K1; repeat from * around.
Repeat Rounds 1 and 2 for pattern.

Skills Required

Knitting on dpns or Magic Loop.

INSTRUCTIONS

HAT

Cast on 60[68, 80, 84, 88] stitches; join to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. Place marker for beginning of round.
Work in selected pattern for 2.5[3.5, 4.25, 4.25, 4.75] inches
Work in St st (knit every round) for 1.75[2.25, 3, 3, 3.25] inches.

Change to dpns when there are too few sts to knit comfortably on circular needle.

Sizes Newborn, Baby and Child ONLY

Next Round: * K13[15, 19], k2tog; repeat from * around: 56[64, 80] stitches.
Next Round: Knit around.

Crown decreases

Round 1: * K6, k2tog; repeat from * around: 49[56, 70, 70, 77] stitches.
Round 2: Knit around.
Round 3: * K5, k2tog; repeat from * around: 42[48, 60, 60, 66] stitches.
Round 4: Knit around
Round 5: * K4, k2tog; repeat from * around: 35[40, 50, 50, 55] stitches.
Round 6: * K3, k2tog; repeat from * around: 28[32, 40, 40, 44] stitches.
Round 7: * K2, k2tog; repeat from * around: 21[24, 30, 30, 33] stitches.
Round 8: * K1, k2tog; repeat from * around: 14[16, 20, 20, 22] stitches.
Round 9: K2tog around: 7[8, 10, 10, 11] stitches.

Sizes Toddler and Child ONLY

Next Round: K2tog around: 5[5] stitches.

Size Youth ONLY

Next Round: K1, * k2tog; repeat from * around: 6 sts

All Sizes

Cut yarn leaving a 6 inch end. Thread tapestry needle with end and weave through remaining stitches, pulling tightly to close.

Create a large Pom Pom (Optional) to sew onto top of hat.

FINISHING

Weave in ends. Block lightly.

Brandy began knitting in 2003 when she took what she thought was a crochet class at a local yarn store. In 2007 Brandy gave birth to her first daughter, and knit throughout her pregnancy. Thus began her adventures in designing unique knitwear for wee ones. She now knits and designs for her two daughters, when she's not working on Petite Purls. You can read the Pixie Purls blog, and see her other designs by visiting her website.