Materials:
Sizes 7 and 8 US needles
2 markers (if you don't own any, just use extra loops of contrasting yarn)
8 oz worsted weight 4-ply yarn (kids seem to prefer acrylics, and they wash well)
tapestry or darning needle
Pattern:
Mantle
Using size 8 needles, cast on 114 stitches. Knit in garter stitch for
6 rows. (For beginners- this helps the bottom edge lie flat.)
Begin shoulder shaping as follows: switching to stockinette stitch, work as follows:
K29, insert marker, k3, k2tog, k51, insert marker, k3, k2tog, k24. (112 sts)
Next row: Purl to marker, sl marker, p3, p2tog, p to next marker, sl marker, p3, p2tog, p to end.
Next row: Knit to marker, sl marker, k3, k2 tog, k to next marker, sl
marker, k3, k2tog, k to end.
(Note to beginners - you should begin to see a "saddle" forming over
the shoulders, this is correct. If you have problems here, contact me and
we'll work through it together.)
Repeat these last two rows until 58 stitches remain on needles.
Neck
Switch to size 7 needles and work 18 rows in k1, p1 ribbing. It looks
like too much, but it's right.
Hood
Switch back to size 8 needles. Work 5 stitches garter stitch, 48 stitches
stockinette stitch, 5 stitches garter. Work 45 more rows in this manner
or desired length to top of child's head. (For beginners - the garter stitches
will be ribbing around the child's face.)
BIND OFF.
FINISHING: Fold in half vertically, with wrong sides out. Sew top of head sides together evenly, break yarn. Sew down the k1, p1 ribbing and mantle, ending at the first row worked (in garter).
back-> |
: <-front
|
:
\||||||||||||||/ <-neck
ribbing *SIDE VIEW*
/
\
/
\ <-mantle portion
Extras:
This is an especially good hat for children prone to ear infections,
since their ears don't get exposed. For extra warmth, duplicate stitch
a large design on the sides of the head (to cover the ears with an extra
layer of warmth).
You can practice new stitches, intarsia, fair isle, etc. on the hood portion, just remember to keep those 5 stitches in garter on each end for the ribbing. There will be an elfin peak at the back of the head, which is just begging for tassels, I-cord fun, pompoms, whatever.
This works up very fast in worsted weight. If you want to make it smaller, use smaller needles and thinner yarn, but keep stitch count essentially the same, as the mantle portion can go cockamamie if you try to change it too much.