My first knit hats are done. Finally. They took FOR.EV.ER. But the good news is that I am now quite proficient at rib stitch! I was inspired to learn to make hats for a local Knitzvah (cute, eh?) project. Last year it was scarves (notice no purling.) This year it was hats - for distribution to homeless people during the December holidays.
I searched the internet for the easiest hat pattern I could - one that used just regular straight needles since that was all I had. This one is what I used. The pattern said it was one-size-fits-all and it is true it really does stretch but it doesn't seem like it would fit really large heads. You cast on for 88 stitches and then do a rib stitch (knit2,purl2) for 11.5 inches (or a little less in my case cause I was running out of yarn!) Then you decrease for a few rows, slide everything off on to a big needle, pull the top tight and whip stitch the side closed. I decreased for a few rows past what the pattern said because I didn't want to add a pompom to the top and I was afraid the hole at the top would be too big. It didn't end up making it too cone-head-y thankfully.
It was a really easy pattern once I got better at rib stitch. Easy if you don't count the fact that it took HOURS and HOURS and HOURS! And HOURS!
I made another one casting on for 66 stitches that would work for an infant/toddler. It fits Bea but it is not quite roomy enough.
Huzzah! Was wonderin' whatcha were up too!
Posted by: mims | November 05, 2009 at 04:26 PM
Hats off to you! You will get faster, right?!
Posted by: Mom | November 05, 2009 at 06:08 PM
Oooh! You did great! I love to work on hats, and even though my mind wanders, I'm still 'enough' here to count the stitches and rows.
If you cast on 40 stitches leaving an 8" tail, K2, P2 for 60 rows, you will have a sort-of rectangle that can be made into wrist warmers/fingerless gloves! Sew a seam down from the cast off 1 inch, and up from the bottom until the hole for the thumb is just right, and voila, fingerless gloves.
Sorry about that - I just couldn't help myself ... LOL,
Posted by: Yvette | November 06, 2009 at 06:51 PM
You did a good job! If you like to knit hats you have to learn to knit one on a circular needle! It is not as hard as you think and they knit up super fast! I love knitting on a circular. I just finished the same style hat you did, but I knit it in the round. Here is the link to check it out.
http://elementalstitches.typepad.com/my_weblog/2009/11/knitting-circles.html
Posted by: Melissa | November 07, 2009 at 08:28 PM
You did a great job and I love the blue color. I would love to make one but I am totally confused my the language I just don't get it! Maybe one day this winter I will conquer my fear...maybe! Great job! Jules
Posted by: The Persimmon Perch | November 09, 2009 at 09:37 AM
Purling? Decreasing? Seaming? You have been busy learning new skills! The hats look great and I am sure will be well received.
Melissa is right, circular knitting is not as complicated as it looks. I was sure I would never be "advanced" enough to use a circular needle.
Posted by: Butzeballchen | November 10, 2009 at 04:22 PM
Very Cool...You'll have to show me how you did it when you are up here. I want to try knitting in the round. I just got finished with my scarf, it was a k2 p2 first two rows than P2 K2 next two rows...so it took a while.
Posted by: jenn | November 11, 2009 at 08:05 AM
Well done, Amy! The hats look great.
Posted by: Wendy | November 19, 2009 at 03:32 PM
Cute hats! I want to make a couple for my granddaughters. Are you sure their easy?????
Posted by: cathleen | November 20, 2009 at 08:57 PM