Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- The Hello Kitty

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 Hello Kitty - 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 more satisfactory attempt to make the bow clusters a different color than the body of the hat.  It is also a simpler stitch since you don't have to switch colors as often.  The only drawback is that the center of the "bow" is not the same colors as the sides.  I like it, though!

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A: Red Heart "White" #4 size yarn
     Color B: Red Heart "Pale Raspberry" #4 size yarn
     Color C: Red Heart "Pale Pink" #4 size yarn

Skill Level: Intermediate

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     ew = e-wrap 
     sl = slip stitch (wrap working yarn around end peg without knitting or purling)
     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  
Row 21: knit to the end
Row 22: purl to the end

Rows 23-26: Repeat Rows 21-22 

Cut and Tie off Yarn Color B and Switch to Yarn Color C

Rows 27-29: knit to the end
Row 30: *ew2, k2*  Repeat to the end
Row 31: *skip 2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 32: *bcl2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color C
Row 33: *p2, k2* Repeat to the end  (the purl stitch should go under all three loops)

Rows 34-36:  knit to the end

Row 37: *k2, ew2*  Repeat to the end
Row 38: *k2, skip 2* Repeat to the end

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

Switch to Yarn Color A
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 41-56:  Repeat Rows 21-36

Bind off using gathered removal method.

BOW
Using Yarn Color B, Cast on 6 pegs.

Row 1: sl1, k4, sl1
Row 2: sl1, p4, sl1

Rows 3-40:  Repeat Rows 1-2

Loop first row of stitches back on to the loom.  Knit each peg.  Cut Yarn B leaving a tail measuring around 16".  Thread the tail into your plastic tapestry needle.  Sew through each loop and remove your knitted band from the loom.  Wrap Yarn B around the middle of the band (making a bow shape) around 6 times.  Sew bow to the band of your toboggan.