Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- The Minty Rose

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 Minty Rose

Going into the stretch to wrap up my loom knit doll hat project, I'm going to be featuring several hats sporting my favorite add-on for a knit cap - flowers!

The neat little rib stitch that makes up the body of this hat is going to go nameless for today -- because it looks the exact reverse of what it should look like.  When converting the knit stitch, I forgot that you have to switch instructions for "knit" and "purl"... Oops!  Still, a pretty -- if accidental -- rib stitch!

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A:  Caron "Pale Green" #4 size yarn
     Color B:  Red Heart "Light Pink" #4 size yarn
     Color C:  Red Heart "Forest Green" #4 size yarn

Skill Level: Intermediate

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

Instructions:

With Yarn Color A, cast on 24 pegs.

BRIM  
Row 1:  knit 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 Switch to Yarn Color B

Row 21: knit to the end
Row 22: purl to the end

Rows 23-30:  Repeat Rows 21 and 22

Tie off and Cut Yarn Color B.  Switch to Yarn Color A

Row 31:  k3; *p1, k3;* Repeat from * to the end
Row 32:  k1; *p1, k3;* Repeat from * to the last 4 pegs, k1, p1, k2

Rows 33 - 48:  Repeat rows 31 - 32

Row 49 - 50:  knit to the end

Bind off using gathered removal method.

To create the edging on the hat band:  Thread about 16" of Yarn Color C onto your plastic tapestry needle.  Follow these instructions for creating a chain stitch:

How to Make the Chain Stitch

Chain stitch around the hat.

To make the Rose and Leaves:  Follow the directions given in this video

Scarlet Royal's Rose and Leaf Tutorial

Actually, I did change a few things from the above directions.  The rose I made exactly following her instructions was too big, so I made a second one using just one strand of #4 size yarn instead of two strands.  Also, I flat knitted instead of e-wrapping.  This makes for a smaller flower.