Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- The Great Pumpkin

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 Great Pumpkin Hat

Looking forward to cooler Autumn days when I'll actually be selling these little hats (hopefully!), I created this pumpkin hat. It features a couple of interesting add-ons.  The spiral "vine" you'll recognize as one of the spiral tousles we've been using.  The "stem" is a pretty simple little roll.  The "leaves" are integrated into the body of the hat and then top-stitched using a method I found here:




How to Make the Chain Stitch

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A:  Red Heart "Burnt Orange" #4 size yarn 
     Color B:  Red Heart "Olive" #4 size yarn
     Color C:  Brown Flecked #4 size yarn

Skill Level: Intermediate

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     ew = e-wrap
     skip = pass working yarn behind peg without knitting or purling

Instructions:

With Yarn Color A, cast on 24 pegs.

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

Rows 2-20:  Repeat Rows 1and 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.

BODY  
Row 21: knit to the end
Row 22: *p3, k1* to the end

Rows 23-40:  Repeat Rows 21 and 22

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 41: *skip 3, p1* Repeat to the end 

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 42: *k3, skip 1* Repeat to the end 

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 43: *skip 2, p2* Repeat to the end 

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 44: *p2, skip 2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 45: *skip 2, p2* Repeat to the end 

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 46: *k2, skip 2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 47: *skip 1, p3* Repeat to the end 

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 48: *p1, skip 3* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 49: *skip1, p3* Repeat to the end 

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 50: *k1, skip 3* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 51-54: knit to the end 
 
Bind off using gathered removal method.

To create a corkscrew tousle "vine":  I am using Renita Harvey's modified I-cord method of creating corkscrew tousles.  I recommend you watch her video, which can be found here:

 Renita Harvey's Corkscrew Tousle Video

The method is actually pretty simple, but is difficult to convey using conventional knitting notation.  In short, you use two pegs on your loom and wind your yarn in a figure 8 pattern.  You knit four stitches into the first peg and then anchor them by knitting a stitch into the second peg.  Be sure to pull the stitches into the second peg tight to aid the curling of the stitches.  When you are done, it also helps to twirl the spiral with your fingers to give it the shape you desire.  Okay, here's a try at conveying this stitch using knitting notation:

Tie a slip knot in the yarn and place around peg 1
Wrap yarn in a counterclockwise direction around peg 2
Wrap yarn in a clockwise direction around peg 1

Row 1: k1, WYIF k1
Row 2:  ew3tog, k1

Rows 3- 24:  Repeat Rows 1 and 2

Rows 25:  k1, WYIF k1

Take loop off peg 1 and move to peg 2. Knit together.  Pull yarn off peg. Put tail of working yarn through the loop and tie off.

Thread tails of corkscrew tousles through top of toboggan. Knot tails securely inside toboggan.

To create the pumpkin's "stem:

Cast on six pegs using Yarn Color C
Row 1: knit to the end
Row 2: purl to the end

Rows 3-6: repeat Rows 1 and 2

After you have knitted Row 6, roll what you have knitted into a log shape. Find the loops from row 3 and put them back onto the loom.  Knit Row 6 over Row 3.  Cut your yarn leaving around a 6" tail.  Thread this tail through your plastic tapestry needle and sew through all the loops.  Use the tail to sew "stem" into the top of the toboggan.

24 peg loom marked with tape

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.