Anne's Very Basic Car-Fap hat in bulky ueight yarn
5 sizes in 3.5 stitch per inch/2.5 cm gauge (see gauge tricks on last page for other sizing options) (shown on Liam, who is 19 months old, head size almost 20 inches/51cm)
Materials:
· About 80(84,88,92) yds of a bulky weight yarn (shown in second to smallest size using Noro Kureyc ·16"/41cm circular ndl and 7-8"/20cm dp ndls in size #10 US/ #6 metric (or size required to give a gauge of 3.5 sts and 2.5 rnds per inch/2.5cm) · one crochet hook size G/5 and a large eye yarn darner for finishing · (optional) one 5/8"or 1.5cm wooden bead with 14" /1cm hole for 'adjustment slider' on hat ties · 8(7,7,8,7) stitch markers and a large eye yarn darner fo finishing This hat is begun by working the 2 earflaps separately back and forth on 2 dp ndls, then they are joined between cast on spacing stitches and the hat is completed in the round. Earflaps: (Make 2, same for all sizes) Using dp ndls, co 3 sts. Row 1: (and allright side rows) K1, mk1R, K to last st, mk1l, K1. Row 2: (and all wrong side rows) K1, P to last st, K1. Repeat rows 1 & 2 until you have atotal of 17 sts. Wk even until 17 rows have been completed, end having completed a right side row. Make $2^{\mathsf{n d}}$ earflap exactlylike first. Forehead to crown: With 16"/41cm circular ndl, co 10(13,16,18,20) sts for back. Place 17 sts of $1^{\mathrm{st}}$ earflap on ndl, right side facing you. Co 20(23,27,28,30) sts for front, place 17 sts of $2^{\mathsf{n d}}$ earflap on ndl as for 1st 64(70,77,80,84) sts total. Place a marker here to mark the beginning of each new rnd. Now, K 5" -10.75cm to top of crown even. Crown to tip: Crown shaping set-up round: [K 6(8,9,8,10) k 2 tog. Place marker] Rep bracketed instructions to end of rnd, Now K 1 rnd even. Now work crown shaping decrease rounds as follows:
[K to 2 sts before marker, k 2 tog, slip marker]. Rep bracketed instructions to end of rnd, K 1 rnd even. Repeat the above 2 rounds as described in shaded box, 1 Dec rnd followed by 1 K even rnd, until only 8(7,7,8,7) sts total remain (you will need to remove the markers on your final round). Break off yarn, leaving a tail about $6"$ long (or longer if you want a braid and tassel). Now draw yarn through remaining sts and draw up tightly, fasten yarn end securely on inside of hat if you don't intend to do a braid and tassel. Edging:Fromright sidewithmaincolringlecrochet evenlyaround lweredge and earlaps, taking care to keep edges flat. I like to begin at the tip of one of the earflaps. Finishing: You can wash and block your hat as is oruse some of thefollwing optional finshing techniques..
Earflap ties- When you complete your edging, leave a tail of about 20"/51cm and thread another 2 40"/102cm lengths of yarn through the tip of the earflap to braid or twist in 3 doubled strands. Do the same with the other earflap (you will have to thread through all 3 strands this time because there will be no existing ends.) When you have completed both ties, you can simply knot the ends or, before knotting them, thread them both through the optional large wooden bead, then knot them. Use this bead to slide up and hold hat firmly on the head for windy days or sking. Tip braid and tassel- Thread 2 12"/30cm strands of yarn through tip of hat to join existing tail and braid or twist as for ear flap ties. Tie an overhand knot close to the ends and either brush out existing ends for a small tassel, attach a basic soft tassel (or a not so basic one if desired) or decorate with Bolivian pompoms.
The second to smallest size (70 stitches) is just a bit too large for Liam's not quite 20 inch (51cm) head... I included the information below to help you choose a cast-on amount for this (or any other hat) project: Helpful Hat Facts(?) & FiguresIndustry Standard Adult Hat Sizings: Size: Small Medium Large X-Large Head Size 21.5"- 217/8" 22 1/4"- 22 5/8" 23”- 23.5” 23 7/8"- 241%4" Hat Size: 6-7/8, 7 7-1/8,7 14 7-3/8, 7.5 7-5/8, 7-3/4 Gauge Tricks for Hats: An approximate cast-on amount for bottom to top hat styles in the gauges below 6 sts per“ 5 sts per 4.5 sts per ° 4 sts per “ 3.5 sts per “ Infant: 92 to 96 82 to 86 72 to 76 64 to 68 56 to 60 child: 112 to 116 92 to 94 80 to 84. 72 to 76 64 to 68 Small: 116 to 120 96 to 100 86 to 90 80 to 84 72 to 76 Med.: 124 to 128 104 to 108 94 to 98 86 to 90 78 to 80 Lg.:132 to 136 112 to 120100 to 104 92t096 84to 88 Fyi:Counting the ear flap stitches, c/o amounts for this pattern are: 64(70,77,80,84) there's a size here for everyone! Please Note: Infants & children's head sizes can vary A great deal & do not conform to industry standards, The best way to determine what size to make for them Will be to measure the head you are knitting For & match up to your gauge (this works for Adult size heads, too.)
