A sweet, simple hat for the little Valentine in your life. I started with one a basic hat recipe (I like the ones in Susan Anderson's Itty Bitty Hats) and embellished with hearts from I-cords knitted out from the top of the hat.
Size: Toddler (about 1-2 years)
Yarn:
MC: 120 yards worsted weight yarn (1 skein Lily Sugar ‘n’ Cream Solid Cotton: Pink)
CC: 40 yards worsted weight yarn (1 skein Lily Sugar ‘n’ Cream Solid Cotton: Pink and white variegated))
Materials:)
Size 6 16” cicular needle)
Size 6 double-pointed needles, set of 5)
Stitch marker)
Gauge: 5 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch
Pattern:
With MC, cast on 80.
Join for knitting in the round.
Place a stitch marker to denote beginning of round.
Knit every round until body of hat measures 6.25” from bottom edge (unroll as needed to measure)
Decrease for crown of hat as follows, switching to dpn’s as needed to accommodate smaller number of stitches.
Round 1: *K6, k2tog*, repeat to end of round
Round 2:*K5, k2tog*, repeat to end of round
Round 3:Knit
Round 4:Knit
Round 5:*K4, k2tog*, repeat to end of round
Round 6:Knit
Round 7:*K3, k2tog*, repeat to end of round
Round 8:Knit
Round 9:*K2, k2tog*, repeat to end of round
Round 10:Knit
Round 11:*K1, k2tog*, repeat to end of round
Round 12:*K2tog*, repeat to end of round
You should have 10 stitches remaining. Arrange stitches as follows on 4 double-pointed needles:
Needle 1: 2 stitches
Needle 2: 3 stitches
Needle 3: 2 stitches
Needle 4: 3 stitches
You will now be working with the contrasting color (CC) to make the cords that will form the top of the hat and the applied heart designs,
To make I-cord: On every row, *k to end, do not turn work, slide stitches to other side of needle*, repeat until cord is desired length
With CC:
Needle 1: Work 2 stitch I-cord for 16”. SSK. Fasten off remaining stitch and break yarn, leaving a 12” tail.
Needle 2: Work 3 stitch I-cord for 16”. Slip 1, SSK, pass slipped stitch over. Fasten off remaining stitch and break yarn, leaving a 12” tail.
Needle 3: Work 2 stitch I-cord for 16”. SSK. Fasten off remaining stitch and break yarn, leaving a 12” tail.
Needle 4: Work 3 stitch I-cord for 16”. Slip 1, SSK, pass slipped stitch over SSK. Fasten off remaining stitch and break yarn, leaving a 12” tail.
Finishing:
Tie together the two 2-stitch cords in a loose knot to close the opening at the top of the hat. Tie together the two 3-stitch cords over the top of the first knot. Don’t pull these tight and deform the shape of the hat.
Lay each cord out in a heart shape on the outside of the hat, and use the long tail at the end of each cord to attach to the body of the hat. I found it easiest to tack down the point at the bottom of the heart, then the indentation at the top, and then a few points around the perimeter of the shape.
Weave in all ends.
