Lela’s Summer Hat
You will need these depending on size you create:
US 5 16” needles
US 7 16” needles
US 5 or 7 dpn (either size will work for top of hat)
darning needle, place marker
Knitting Tension
20 sts - 26 rows = 4" (10 cm)
Size 7 circular needles - -use double pointed needles when necessary
Sizes will be listed as a circumference for a newborn (14”) , small (16”) , med (18”), large (20”).
I used Sugar & Cream, Potpourri Ombre, but any color will do. I chose Sugar & Cream because I thought a little cotton hat would be cooler for the summer. Please keep in mind that knit is “porous” and would not protect 100% against the sun’s harmful rays. This hat can be lined with a thin fabric for sun protection, I did not line my hat.
I made a size SMALL (16”)
Abbreviations:
* repeat until end/change in pattern
sts - stitch(es)dpn - double pointed needle M1F-make one front -with the left needle, lift the loop between the sts through the front; knit into the back of the loop
tog - together
nb - newborn
Construction
Brim
CO 85 (92, 99, 113) with US 7, 16” circular needles using the long tail cast on. Cast more loosely than you normally do as you will use your edge for a wire to be inserted.
Once you are ready to join the round, knit one st and immediately cast it off and place your marker. You have now sealed your round and are ready to knit.
-Knit for 1 3/4”(2”, 2.5”, 2.5”) or whatever length you want the brim to be
-Knit one row of purl for turning
I then began knitting a Swirl hat pattern in this manner:
· First Knit 5, knit 2tog* (You will have changed to dpn sometime during these decreases.)
· Knit 4, knit 2tog*
· Knit 3, knit 2tog* - you should have 53 sts left
· Then work a pattern of Knit 4, Purl 4 throughout. Stitches will be OFFSET by 1 stitch from the round below creating the swirl pattern.
· When work measures your desired depth, shape top.
· Place marker on needle, then K2tog, k2, P2tog, p2 around for 1 round.
· Continue in K3, P3 for 4 rounds.
· Next round K2tog, k3 around.
· Thread yarn through remaining stitches and gather tightly, fasten off, weave in ends.
I used PLASTIC wiring for the brim. It is called Techno Rohto (L) [Hamanaka], it is used for making fleeced little animals, sold in felting/craft shops. There is also plastic brim wire which can be found in millinary shops such as here: http://www.hatsupply.com/wire.htm or here in AU: http://www.hattersmillinerysupplies.com.au/on/millinery-supplies/miscellaneous/
I inserted plastic wire, stretched the knitted material/brim then twisted the ends and wove them in through the brim edge so that they became invisible. The plastic wire is white and ideal for brims because you do not want to have metal especially for a baby’s hat!
Drawstring: (optional): Knit an icord or crochet chain or braid for fastening to chin, attach one on each side.
Please use judgment and supervision when using strings to attach hats on small children.
Make a flower for adornment.
Care: Machine dryable- Machine washable