Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- The Nipper

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).

The Nipper

The hat is an adaptation of a free pattern for a baby blanket by Ravelry contributor who goes by the user name "haraseiram."  The blanket instructions can be found here:  Haraseiram's Baby Blanket

This is currently my favorite stitch to use for making blankets.  Other than the bother of changing yarn every so often, it's a terribly easy pattern that makes a stunning little blanket!

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A:  Red Heart "Turquoise" #4 size yarn
     Color B:  Red Heart "White" #4 size yarn
     Color C:  Red Heart "Charcoal" #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:  ewrap to the end

Rows 2-20:  Repeat Row 1

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.

BODY  
Drop Yarn Color A inside the loom and Switch to Yarn Color B 


Rows 21 - 23: knit to the end


Drop Yarn Color B inside the loom and Switch to Yarn Color C 

Row 24:  *k1, p1* to the end
Row 25 - 27: knit to the end


Drop Yarn Color C inside the loom and Switch to Yarn Color A

Row 28:  *k1, p1* to the end
Row 29 - 31: knit to the end


Drop Yarn Color A inside the loom and Switch to Yarn Color B

Row 32:  *k1, p1* to the end
Row 33 - 35: knit to the end


Drop Yarn Color B inside the loom and Switch to Yarn Color C

Row 36:  *skip 1, k1* to the end
Row 37 - 39: knit to the end

Tie off and cut Yarn Color C and Switch to Yarn Color A

Row 40:  *skip 1, k1* to the end
Row 41 - 43: knit to the end


Drop Yarn Color A inside the loom and Switch to Yarn Color B

Row 44:  *skip 1, k1* to the end
Row 45 - 47: knit to the end

Tie off and cut Yarn Color B and Switch to Yarn Color A

Row 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.

TIP
This pattern was designed to be made with many different colors of scrap yarn. I strongly suggest that for the doll-sized version of this hat you pull off a few yards of yarn and wind them into a ball as if it was scrap.  The pattern switches color frequently and asks you to drop the yarn you are not using through the loom to wait its turn.  Pulling a skein of yarn back and forth through a "preemie" sized loom is no fun, let me tell you!