Version 2.o by Allison MacAlister www.knittingninja.com
Distributed: November 5th, 2011 Errata November 2015 (minor edits for clarity)
MATeRIALS
Adult hat: Size 9 (5.5mm) & size 8 (5mm) DPNs (circular needles optional for last third of hat, smaller needles are for hat ribbing only) Child's hat: Size 8 (5mm) & size 6 (4.5mm) DPNs (circular needles optional for last third of hat, smaller needles are for hat ribbing only) Yarn: MC: 2 Skeins Bernat Softee Chunky in blue-grey, or any substitute chunky/bulky weight yarn that meets gauge (14 sts and 24 rows = 4" in st st) approx. of red yarn in similar weight, small amounts of white yarn for teeth Optional: White felt for teeth, fleece for lining, polyester fiberfill stuffing.
BODY
The body is worked top-down, starting at the tail tip and ending at the \*mouth": Using larger needles, CO 10 st. Join in circle, being careful not to twist. K for 5 rounds. \*(k1, m1) twice, k1, (m1, k1) twice, repeat \* once = 18 stitches K 6 rounds. \*(k1, m1) twice, k5, (m1, k1) twice, repeat \* once = 26 stitches K 6 rounds. \*(k1, m1) twice, k9, (m1, k1) twice, repeat \* once = 34 stitches K 4 rounds. \*(k1, m1) twice, k13, (m1, k1) twice, repeat \* once = 42 stitches K 4 rounds. \*(k1, m1) twice, k17, (m1, k1) twice, repeat \* once = 50 stitches K 3 rounds. \*(k1, m1) twice, k21, (m1, k1) twice, repeat \* once = 58 stitches K 3 rounds. \*(k1, m1) twice, k25, (m1, k1) twice, repeat \* once = 66 stitches K 2 rounds. (k1, m1) twice, k29, (m1, k1) twice, repeat \* once = 74 stitches K 2 rounds. (k1, m1) twice, k33, (m1, k1) twice, repeat \* once = 82 stitches K 3 rounds. This hat has been knit for toddlers, kids, and adults alike. It's even been knit for dogs. One particular Shark Hat was named Helmut and took a shark discovery journey in the name of cancer research. Knit a Shark Hat of your very own!
On the next round, k41, then CO 12 stitches by backward loop method for one side of dorsal fin. Place stitch marker. CO 12 more stitches for other side of dorsal fin. K to end of round. The above creates a “hole" in your knitting wbich you will seam later in the“Finishing"section. K across for 3 rounds. \*Knit to 2 st before stitch marker, ssk, slip marker, k2tog, knit to end of round. K across. Continue with these 2 rounds, decreasing before and after the stitch marker on every other round until you have 80 st on the needles. K across for 8 rows. Switch to smaller needles. Work 2x2 ribbing for approx.1-1/2 inches, or 9 rounds. This is the inside of the mouth. Switch to red yarn and continue ribbing for approx. 1 inch, or 6 rounds BO loosely.
TAIL
The tail is worked tip-to-tip, and then attacbed to the body in the middle. CO 2 sts. Working in st st throughout, work 2 rows. On the third row, inc one into each st. Next k row, inc one st into each st (8 sts). Next k row, inc one st into first st, k2, inc one st into next 2 sts, k2, inc one st into last st (12 sts) K 29 rows. You should have 36 rows total. Next row, (k2tog, k2, k2tog) twice (8 sts). Next k row, k2tog four times (4 sts). Next k row, k2tog twice (2 sts). Next row; Purl. CO. Stuff loosely with polyfill stuffing if you wish, sewing edge closed as you go. Attach the tail to the end of the body by tightly securing a strand of yarn in the middle of the tail, using the photos for reference. This creates the groove between the tail fins. Secure the yarn and weave in all ends up to this point.
teeTH
The teeth are each worked individually. For the teeth, there are two options. Knit, which takes longer but produces nicer results, or cut out with felt, which is quick but teeth have a tendency to curl slightly. Felt teeth (as in adult hat pictured): simply cut out teeth to the shape you would like using white felt, and sew them onto the body CO edge of the hat. Knit teeth (as in child's hats): On the front of the hat, between the earflaps, measure out 5 sts per tooth. You may want to mark the teeth with stitch markers, using the photos for a guide. For each tooth, Cast on 5 stitches. Knit 3 rows. Ssk, k, k2tog. (3 stitches) Knit 2 rows. Sl k2tog psso. Cut yarn, pullthrough and weave in. If you wish, you may repeat this process in the back of the hat for back teeth. Below is instructions for adding a litle more MC over top of the teeth, giving the impression oftheteethandgumsbeinginsidethemouth. Continuing to use smaller needles, with MC, pick up 80 st in k2p2 along the MC edge, matching the ribbing stitches, just above the red and teeth. Do 3 rounds of k2p2 ribbing. BO loosely.
EAR-FINS
These simulate the shark's fins, and are meant to bang offthe edge of the bat like earflapsdo. Begin at centre back (beginning of round marker) and count out 9 sts. PM. Count 20 sts for ear-fin. PM. Count out 24 sts for front. PM. Count 20 sts for ear-fin. PM. 9 sts should remain (total of 18 sts for back). Using MC, pick up 20 stitches between markers on one side, along the MC edge of the hat (not the red edge). First row: k2tog, \*k1, pl, repeat from \* to end. Second row: p2tog, \*k1, pl, repeat from \* to end. Continue working these two rows until two sts remain, then BO. Make the second earflap the same way.
FINISHING
Stitch up back of dorsal fin. For eyes, you can either sew on beads, buttons, or embroider them. Weave in all ends. If you used an acrylic yarn or otherwise wish to warm up the hat, line with fleece. If needed, stuff dorsal fin and lower body/tail area very loosely with polyfill, and sew in with fleece.
COPYRIGHT
This pattern is @copyright 2008 The Knitting Ninja (Allison MacAlister). You may make copies of this pattern for personal use, but you may not sell this pattern. You may sell the hats you make, providing credit for the design is given to myself (Allison MacAlister/The Knitting Ninja). Special thanks to Debbie & Leah Varrell/livnletlrn, Janis Neville/starfallz, Kate/discosmurf and all my Ravelry ladies for their help with testing, editing, and fixing this pattern. Knitters rock! Photos by Debbie Varrell, Kate/discosmurf and Allison MacAlister. Please contact me with any pattern inquiries & questions at allisonmacalister@gmail.com. For more patterns, visit my blog at www.knittingninja.com!
