My online knit buddy, Del wrote an awesome 2-part article over at Meylah
The Benefits of Hooking Up with an Online Craft Community
Check out Part 1 & Part 2 (you may see a familiar face in here) :-)
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Friday, November 13, 2009
Zach Attack Hat (free pattern)
Zach Attack Hat
I wanted to make a hat for my great-nephew, Zach, for his 3rd birthday, but couldn’t find the exact thing I had in mind. So I headed to The Knitter’s Book of Handy Patterns, by Ann Budd, to find the basic sizing for a three-year old, as well as an idea of how much knitting to do, etc.
In the end, I had exactly what was in my brain! And it was apparently a big hit when he opened it – he wanted to wear it everywhere.
I’m offering this as a free pattern, since it’s not necessarily anything new, or anything that doesn’t exist someplace else. It’s my version, sized for the average three-year-old, according to the book referenced above, where it is listed as the size for 18 months to 4 years.
You will need:
Worsted weight yarn –single color for base of hat (I used Brown Sheep Nature Spun, color Scarlet, less than 1 skein); additional colors (B and C) for stripes and/or tassels, less than 1 skein.
Gauge: 4.5 - 5 sts to the inch
16-in. US size 7 circular needles.
8-in. US size 7 double pointed needles (for finishing the hat, though you may be able to use the circular needle).
1 stitch marker, to mark beginning of round.
To begin:
Cast on 90 sts; join to work in the round; place marker.
Work k1, p1 ribbing for 8 rows (approximately 1 inch).
Switch to stockinette stitch for remainder of hat. Continue until the hat measure 7 ½ inches from cast-on edge.
Continue until the hat measures 7 ½ inches from cast-on edge.
Finish:
Turn hat inside out; transfer stitches to double pointed needles if necessary, placing half on each needle; bind off stitches, using three needle bind off, pulling thread through last stitches to close.
Make two tassels or pom-poms using your preferred method, and attach to each corner of hat, with approximately 1 inch of yarn remaining on outside of hat (as pictured, so they move when the wearer does). Weave in all ends.
Making tassels:
I checked various books, and though they had the basic idea, I ended up just winging it for the ones I used. I wanted ones that were longer, looking less like pom-poms on the ends of the hat.
Copyright 2009 by Bridget Arthur Clancy. Available at The Ravell’d Sleave (http://the-ravelld-sleave.blogspot.com). Not to be reproduced, sold, or taught for profit. Questions or pattern support available at: thekittyknitter@gmail.com.