Loom Knit Doll Hat -- The Imperfect Spiral

I've got a goal to have knitted at least fifty doll hats within the next fifty days to sell at a huge neighborhood yard sale in the fall.  To my surprise, I found there were very few doll hat patterns available for free on the internet.  This is a pity since a doll hat is a very good project for a beginning loomer and it isn't always obvious how a full-sized hat pattern should be changed to be appropriate for a doll.  Therefore, I've decided to share my notes on creating and converting hat patterns to fit 18" dolls (such as the American Girl, Journey Girl, Our Generation, or My Life dolls).

Imperfect Spiral Hat

Fair warning -- this is not a pattern for a perfectionist!  The instruction spiral stitch I picked for this toboggan specified that it required a multiple of 8 +2 pegs. I somehow missed that "+2," so there's one tiny spot in the back where the spiral doesn't quite match up.. and I think I somehow managed to put that in the front for this photograph... sigh!  

If you can live with a tiny imperfection, I think you'll like this stitch anyway.

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A:  Mauve #4 size yarn (lost the label on this one)
     Color B:  Caron "Harlequin" #4 size yarn

Skill Level: Beginner

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     ew = e-wrap

Instructions:

With Yarn Color A, cast on 24 pegs.

BRIM Row 1:  e-wrap to the end
Row 2:  knit to the end

Rows 3-20:  Repeat Rows 1 and 2 

When you've completed Row 20, find the first stitch (the end of your yarn should still be dangling from it). Loop the first stitch back up over Peg #1.  Continue around the loom until the entire first row is looped back up onto the loom. Knit the last row of stitches over the first row of stitches.

Switch to Yarn Color B

BODY Row 21: *k2, p2* Repeat to the end
Row 22: *p1, k2, p1* Repeat to the end
Row 23: *p2, k2*  Repeat to the end
Row 24: *k1, p2, k1*  Repeat to the end

Rows 24-48:  Repeat Rows 21,22,23 and 24

Rows 48- 50:  knit to the end

Bind off using gathered removal method.

To create a tousle, wind Yarn A around three fingers around 20 times.  Tie a short piece of yarn tightly around the middle of this bundle of yarn.  Cut the looped ends of the yarn and trim to the desired shape.  Sew to the top of your toboggan using your yarn and a tapestry needle.