Size: 9inches around. To fit small preemie
Gauge - st st: 5 stitches to the inch
Red Hart KIDS yarn used for sample
Materials:
US size 6 DPN (4), medium weight yarn, blunt needle
Abbreviations:
p3tog = purl 3 together
co = cast on
cobl = cast on backward loop
k3tog = knit 3 together
pu = pick up
k2tog = knit 2 together
Pattern:
This pattern uses Horst Schultz's patchwork knitting, so if you're
familiar with that, you'll see how this all works. If you're not, then
use faith and plow through.
The hat is made in three sections:
a) the squares
b) the top (with decreases)
c) the bottom (with ribbing)
General pattern:
CO 11 stitches or PU until you have 11 stitches. This counts as row
1.
Row 2: p4, p3tog, p4
Row 3 (and all odd rows): knit
Row 4: k3, k3tog, k3
Row 6: p2, p3tog, p2
Row 8: k1, k3tog, k1
Row 10: p3tog
One square completed.
How to make the hat:
First square on first row:
CO 11 stitches. *This counts as row 1.
Row 2: p4, p3tog, p4
Row 3 (and all odd rows): knit
Row 4: k3, k3tog, k3
Row 6: p2, p3tog, p2
Row 8: k1, k3tog, k1
Row 10: p3tog
One square completed.
You'll have one loop on the needle.
Subsequent squares on the first row:
PU four stitches along the side of the just completed square. COBL
6 stitches. You'll have 11 stitches on your needle.**
Repeat from * to ** until you have eight squares.
Break off yarn.
First square on second row:
COBL 6 stitches.
PU 5 stitches from the top of the first square you made.
11 stitches total on the needle.
***This counts as row 1.
Row 2: p4, p3tog, p4
Row 3 (and all odd rows): knit
Row 4: k3, k3tog, k3
Row 6: p2, p3tog, p2
Row 8: k1, k3tog, k1
Row 10: p3tog
One square completed.
You'll have one loop on the needle.
Subsequent squares on the second row:
PU four stitches along the side of the just completed square. PU 6
stitches from the square below, making sure you line the squares one atop
each other.****
Repeat from *** to **** until eight squares made.
Break off yarn.
You'll have 16 squares total.
The Top:
PU 42 stitches evenly along the top of the completed squares. Place
on three double point needles. You'll be knitting with the fourth. Be careful
not to twist the stitches when you join them.
Row 1 (and all odd rows): Knit
Row 2: K4, K4tog (repeat for round)
Row 4: K3, K2tog (repeat for round)
Row 6: K2, K2tog (repeat for round)
Row 8: K1, K2tog (repeat for round)
Row 10: K2tog (repeat for round)
Take a blunt needle and run it through the remaining stitches on the
needle. Pull tight and secure it.
At this point, I sewed up the square sides to create more of a hat looking object.
The Bottom:
PU 42 stitches along the bottom of the completed row of squares. Place
on three double point needles. You'll be knitting with the fourth. Be careful
not to twist the stitches when you join them. Use your favourite ribbing
pattern (k1, p1; k2, p2; moss stitch; etc). I used k1, p1 and did this
for four rounds.
On the next round, bind off in pattern loosely.
Secure all ends.