Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- Cozy Blue

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).

Cozy Blue

This hat is a scaled-down version of this very nice adult-sized pattern by a blogger who goes by the user name Robin:

The Purple People Heater

I don't know what this particular stitch is called, but it makes a nice, bulky contrast to the plain knit stitch that surrounds it.  It's not really too difficult, but I'm rating this pattern for the intermediate level loomer because of the skip stitches.  Be brave, though, beginners! You can do this one!

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A:  Red Heart "Blue Fleck" #4 size yarn

Skill Level: Intermediate

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     skip = pass working yarn behind peg without knitting or purling it.

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  
Row 21: knit to the end

Rows 22-28:  Repeat Row 21

Row 29: knit to the end 
Row 30: purl to the end 
Row 31: *skip 1, k1* Repeat to the end 
Row 32: *skip 1, p1* Repeat to the end  

Rows 33- 40: Repeat Rows 29-32

Rows 41- 58: knit to the end  
 
Bind off using gathered removal method.

24 peg loom marked with tape

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:  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.