Thursday, November 12, 2009

Rudolph Hat

This pattern is the fifth in a series of cutesy holiday hats that I make for my nephew and cousins' kids each winter. I'm afraid this tradition will end soon though. The only uncertainty is whether it will be caused by the refusal of said children to participate in the cuteness as they age or by my inevitable drought of ideas. Only time will tell.

Materials:
Caron Simply Soft [100% acrylic; 330yds/302m per 6oz/170g skein); 1 skein in #9934 Chocolate, small amount in #2682 Red, small amount in #9703 Bone
US #8/5mm double-pointed needles, or 40-in/100-cm circular needle for magic loop
US #6/4mm double-pointed needles
Tapestry needle
Two 1-in/2.5-cm black buttons
Small amount of polyfil or scrap yarn
One wooden bead, about 7/8in or 2-1/4cm in diameter (can substitute more polyfil or scrap yarn)
Sewing needle and black thread

Gauge:
16.5sts x 22rows = 4in (10cm) in stst on larger needles

Finished Size:
0-3 months (3-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-3 years, 3-10 years) = 13 (14.5, 16, 17.5, 19)in [33 (37, 40.5, 44.5, 48)cm] head circumference, relaxed

Click here for Abbreviations

Pattern:
Hat:
With brown and larger needles, CO 54 (60, 66, 72, 78) sts. I used Ysolda's tubular cast-on for 1x1 rib (video here) because it gives a stretchy and professional-looking edge. If you choose this cast-on method, be sure to work both foundation rows before joining to work in the round.
Join and work in k1, p1 ribbing for 4 rnds, or about 1in/2.5cm.
Work stst for 11 (13, 15, 17, 18) rnds.
Crown Shaping:
Rnd 1: [k7 (8, 9, 10, 11), k2tog] 6 times.
Rnd 2 and all even rnds: knit.
Rnd 3: [k6 (7, 8, 9, 10), k2tog] 6 times.
Rnd 5: [k5 (6, 7, 8, 9), k2tog] 6 times.
Continue in this manner, decreasing 6 sts every other rnd until 24 sts remain.
Next rnd: k2tog around - 12 sts. Knit 1 rnd. k2tog around - 6 sts.
Cut yarn and thread tail through remaining sts. Pull tight and tie off. Weave in ends.

Antler Nubs: (make 2)
With tan and smaller needles, CO 12 sts, leaving a long tail for sewing onto hat later.
Join and knit 8 rnds in stst. k2tog around - 6 sts.
Cut yarn and thread tail through remaining sts. Pull tight and tie off. Hide BO tail inside antler.

Ears: (make 2)
With brown and smaller needles, CO 8 sts, leaving a long tail for sewing onto hat later.
Row 1: sl1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1.
Row 2: sl1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k2.
Row 3: sl1, p1, kfb, p1, pfb, k1, p1, k1.
Row 4: sl1, k1, p1, k4, p1, k2.
Row 5: sl1, p1, kfb, p3, pfb, k1, p1, k1.
Row 6: sl1, k1, p1, k6, p1, k2.
Row 7: sl1, p1, k1, p6, k1, p1, k1.
Row 8: sl1, k1, p1, k6, p1, k2.
Row 9: sl1, p1, ssk, p4, k2tog, p1, k1.
Row 10: sl1, k1, p1, k4, p1, k2.
Row 11: sl1, p1, k1, p4, k1, p1, k1.
Row 12: sl1, k1, p1, k4, p1, k2.
Row 13: sl1, p1, ssk, p2, k2tog, p1, k1.
Row 14: sl1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k2.
Row 15: sl1, p1, k1, p2, k1, p1, k1.
Row 16: sl1, k1, p1, k2, p1, k2.
Row 17: sl1, p1, ssk, k2tog, p1, k1.
Row 18: sl1, k1, p2, k2.
Row 19: sl1, k2tog, ssk, k1, do not turn. Slide sts to other end of dpn, as if to knit i-cord.
Row 20: k4, do not turn. Slide sts to other end of dpn.
Row 21: k2tog, twice, slip first st over second and off needle to BO.
Cut yarn and tie off. Weave in BO end.

Nose:
With red and smaller needles, CO 3 sts, leaving a long tail for sewing onto hat later.
Slide sts to other end of dpn to begin working in the round.
Rnd 1: kfb 3 times - 6 sts. Distribute sts to three dpns.
Rnd 2: kfb 6 times - 12 sts.
Rnd 3: knit.
Rnd 4: [kfb, k1] around -18 sts.
Rnds 5-7: knit.
Rnd 8: [k1, k2tog] around - 12 sts.
Rnd 9: knit.
Insert wooden bead or stuff with polyfil.
Rnd 10: k2tog around - 6 sts.
Cut yarn and thread tail through remaining sts. Pull tight and tie off. Hide BO tail inside nose.

Finishing:
Sew on ears and nose. I used the snippings from these ends to stuff antlers, or you can use polyfil. Sew on antlers. Weave in any remaining ends. Sew on button eyes with sewing needle and thread.


Feel free to comment here with questions.

This pattern is intended for personal use only. Please do not try to sell it or any product made from it. Thank you.