Loom Knit Doll Hat Project - The 5th Avenue

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 5th Avenue -- Bow Cluster Hat

As I was working on loom knit version of a knit  stitch called "clusters,"  I came up with this idea for creating a stitch that looks like a tiny bow.  This stitch is not at all the same as Isela Philips' bow stitch that can be found here:  
 Little Bow Stitch
  
This stitch creates a little 3d bow that sticks out from the hat -- just like the cluster stitch on which it is based.   I've not seen anyone else do this stitch. A new creation, maybe?

This hat is a not entirely successful attempt to have the bow clusters in a different color than the body of the hat.  Tomorrow you'll see the new, improved version!

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A: Red Heart "Black" #4 size yarn
     Color B: Red Heart "White" #4 size yarn

Skill Level: Intermediate

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     ew = e-wrap 
     skip = pass working yarn behind the peg without knitting or purling
     bcl = bow cluster stitch (explained below)

Wrap yarn clockwise around 2 pegs

Wrap working yarn around pegs 3 times - loosely!

Knit bottom loop over 3 top loops

Bow Cluster waiting to be purled

The bow cluster stitch consists of wrapping the working yarn loosely around two adjacent pegs three times in a clockwise direction, then knitting the bottom loop over the top three loops. In the following row you will purl under all three loops.  If your loops are tight, you may have to lift each loop over the peg separately.


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.

Switch to Yarn Color B

BODY  
Rows 21-23: knit to the end

Row 24: *skip 2, k2* Repeat to the end 

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 25: *ew2, skip 2*  Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 26: *skip 2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 27: *bcl2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 28: *p2, k2* Repeat to the end  (the purl stitch should go under all three loops)

Rows 29-32:  knit to the end

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 33: *skip 2, ew2*  Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 34: *k2, skip 2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 35: *k2, bcl2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 36: *k2, p2* Repeat to the end  (the purl stitch should go under all three loops)

Rows 37-40:  knit to the end

Rows 33-48:  Repeat Rows 21-32

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 49: *ew2, skip 2*  Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 50: *skip 2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 51: *bcl2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 52: *p2, k2* Repeat to the end  (the purl stitch should go under all three loops)

Rows 53-56:  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.