Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- The Fishy Business

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 Fishy Business Rice Stitch Hat

The "rice" stitch makes for a bit of a looser knit than some of the patterns I've used previously -- like the "irish moss" or "Polperro Northcott" stitches.  I though it made for a hat that a fisherman might wear in rough weather.

As you can see, I used a variegated yarn on this one.  It self-striped into a nice spiral pattern.  I wish I could take credit for it, but it was all the yarn's doing!




Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A: Red Heart "Turquoise" #4 size yarn
     Color B:  Red Heart "Mirage" #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:  knit to 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
Row 21: *ew1, p1*  Repeat to end
Row 22: purl to end

Rows 23-48:  Repeat Rows 21 and 22

Bind off using gathered removal method.

TIP:  To make keeping track of where you are in the pattern easier, I suggest you employ some method of marking your loom.  In the past, I have used colored "Rainbow Loom" sized rubber bands, but found that I frequently get the bands caught up into my stitches.  I recommend you use duct tape to mark off every fourth stitch as I have done here.