Wesley's Hat by Deborah Tomasello with Daughter
Our daughter only recently began knitting, and she has taken to it like the proverbial duck to water.For her thirdever project, she wanted to knit a Fair Isle hat for a friend's brand new baby boy. She wanted it to match Wesley's Daddy's hat. And she did it! I am so proud of her! Instructions for two sizes: 9 months and child (3-5 years) Materials: 1 ball each of Knit Picks Palette, Hazelnut. Small amounts each of, White, Tomato and Sky. One 16" #3 circular needle and four #3 DPNs (or size needed to obtain gauge) Stitch marker Tapestry needle Gauge: 32 stitches and 30 rounds = 4" using #3 needles. Abbreviations: K2TOG = Knit two stitches together. SSK = Slip one stitch, then slip the next. Insert left needle into the front loops of the slipped stitches and knit them together from this position. PM = Pass marker.
Instructions for 9 months hat:
With circular needle, CO 100 sts using Hazelnut. Join to work in round, placing stitch marker and being careful not to twist stitches. Follow CHART A(5 repeats per round) for 61 rounds, decreasing as indicated and switching to DPNs when necessary. (Each dec round has 2 decreases next to each other; K2TOG for first dec, and SSK for second each time.) After round 61, you will have 40 sts on the needles. Cut yarn leaving tail several inches long. Thread tapestry needle through tail, and pick up all 40 sts. Remove Knitting needles. Pull sts. Secure thread on the inside. Knit last seven sts for 5 rounds; cut yarn leaving a tail several inches long. Move all sts from needles to tapestry needle, and pull tightly. Secure from the inside.
Instructions for child (3-5 years) hat:
With circular needle, CO 120 sts using Hazelnut. Join to work in round, placing stitch marker and being careful not to twist stitches. Follow CHART B (6 repeats per round) for 71 rounds, decreasing as indicated and switching to DPNs when necessary. (Each dec round has 2 decreases next to each other; K2TOG for first dec, and SSK for second each time.) After round 61, you will have 40 sts on the needles. Cut yarn leaving tail several inches long. Thread tapestry needle through tail, and pick up all 40 sts. Remove Knitting needles. Pull sts. Secure thread on the inside. Knit last seven sts for 5 rounds; cut yarn leaving a tail several inches long. Move all sts from needles to tapestry needle, and pull tightly. Secure from the inside. Turn CO edge under and hem stitch around to counteract stockinette curl. Set aside. Tassel: Cut 6 equal lengths of Hazelnut yarn (approx. 12 inches long). Tie together an inch from the top and braid, 2 lengths in each braid section. Set aside. Cut 12 yarn lengths, about 6 inches each, and tie braid ends of braid around the middle of the bundle. Fold 6 inch bundle in half. Secure with a piece of yarn tied about half an inch from the top of the fold. Trim tassel ends so they are even. Attach to top of hat from the inside. Ear Flaps Make two: CO 52 sts using Hazelnut. Knit one row, placing marker after 26'"h st (halfway). Turn. Purl one row. Turn. K2TOG. Knit to last 2 sts before marker, K2TOG. PM. K2TOG. Knit to last 2 sts before end of row. K2TOG. Turn. Purl one row. Turn. Repeat last two rows until there are 8 sts left. BO. Set aside. Hat ties Make two: Cut 6 equal lengths of Hazelnut yarn (approx. 12 inches long). Tie together an inch from the top and braid, 2 lengths in each braid section. Secure ends. Fold earflap in half and crochet front to back, securing hat ties in bottom of flaps as you are closing. Attach to sides of hat. Finishing: Tie and weave in or trim all color change ends at beginning and ends of rounds. Wash and block to fit.
