Little Bear Hat…take 2

My little one wanted another Little Bear Hat in a white color. As I went looking through my yarn, I found a super soft and squishy yarn. It was unfortunately not a weight #6 but a #5. I knew it was going to be smaller, but I didn’t realize that it was going to be so much smaller than the other. Well, the hat that came out was definitely not for a 5 year old, maybe a 1-2 year old. Consequently, I had to rework the pattern with more pegs, 54 pegs to be exact. The hat though is amazingly soft! It is perfect for little heads that dislike the “scratchiness” of wool. The hat is pretty much created the same way except with more pegs and more crown decreases.

Lesson learned: definitely always swatch.

So, if you want a little hat, work the regular Little Bear Hat with #5 weight yarn. But if you want it still for a toddler, then follow the directions below. If you are not familiar with the pattern, I recommend watching the video (for the original Little Bear Hat).

MATERIALS

Knitting loom: Flexee links chunky, sample was worked on 27 links (54 pegs)

Yarn: Approximately 100 yards of bulky weight wool blend yarn, #5. K + C Luxe Craft Angel Hair in White was used in sample (3.5oz/110 yds)

Notions: Knitting tool, Tapestry needle, Scissors.

Gauge: 6 sts x 8.5 rows=2 inches in stockinette

Size: fits up to a head circumference of 19″

ABBREVIATIONS

K=Knit stitch (true knit stitch, or u-wrap)

P=Purl stitch

St(s)=Stitch(es)

Approx=Approximate

Rnd(s)=Round(s)

Ssk=slip, slip knit. A decrease. Move the stitch from the second peg and place it on the first peg. Peg 1 has 2 loops, work both loops as one.

INSTRUCTIONS

HAT

Assemble 27 links into a circle configuration (54 pegs).

Cast on 54 stitches, prepare to work in the round.

Rnd 1-6: *k1, p1; rep from * to end.

Rnd 7: k to end.

Repeat Round 7 until hat measures approx 4.25″ from cast on edge.

Next rnd (decrease round): *ssk, k7; rep from * to end. (Remove the links as they become emptied).

Next rnd: k to end.

Next rnd (decrease round): *ssk, k6; rep from * to end. (Remove the links as they become emptied).

Next rnd: k to end.

Next rnd (decrease round): *ssk, k5; rep from * to end. (Remove the links as they become emptied).

Next rnd: k to end.

Next rnd (decrease round): *skk; k4; rep from * to end. (Remove the links as they become emptied).

Next rnd: k to end.

Next rnd (decrease round): *skk; k3; rep from * to end. (Remove the links as they become emptied).

Next rnd: k to end.

Next rnd (decrease round): *skk; k2; rep from * to end. (Remove the links as they become emptied).

Next rnd: k to end.

Next rnd (decrease round): *skk; k1; rep from * to end. (Remove the links as they become emptied).

Next rnd: k to end.

Next rnd (decrease round): *skk; rep from * to end. (Remove the links as they become emptied).

Bind off with gather removal method.

Weave in all ends. Block lightly.

EARS
(Make 2)

Leave about a 10-inch of tail before the cast on.

Cast on 10 sts, prepare to work a flat panel.

Row 1, 3, 5: k to end.

Row 2, 4, 6: p to end.

Row 7: *ssk; rep from * to end. (Remove the links as they become emptied).

Row 8: k to end.

Bind off with flat removal method leaving a 10-inch yarn tail.

ASSEMBLY

Using the cast on yarn tail cinch down one side of the ear by passing the yarn tail through the purl bumps. Gently cinch it down (the ear should close on this side). Pass the yarn through the bind off area. Pass the yarn up the other side of the ear, using the purl bumps on the side. Gently cinch the ear down. Using the bind off yarn tail, secure the ear to the top of the hat.