Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- Lil' Lambchop

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).

Lil' Lambchop -- A Bobble Stitch Hat

When I first started knitting, I thought that all bobble stitches were made in the same way.  Therefore if the instructions for one bobble stitch looked daunting, that meant that all bobbles were challenging. This is not true.  Bobble stitches are like snowflakes -- each one is a little different. Some are very intricate.  Some are quite simple.

The bobble I'm using for this little hat is one of the easiest I've come across.  And you'll get lots and lots and lots and lots of practice in making it in this project -- A perfect cure for bobble-o-phobia!

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom


Yarn:  
     Color A:  Gray #4 size yarn (Lost label)
     Color B:  Red Heart "White" #4 size yarn 
     Color C:  Red Heart "Black" #4 size yarn
     Color D:  Red Heart "Raspberry" #4 size yarn

Skill Level: Intermediate

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     bb = bobble (Knit five times on the same peg.  If you'd like a more fluffy bobble, e-wrap five times instead.)

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.

Loom with pegs marked for the lamb's "face"

[Normally, I recommend you mark your loom in groups of four pegs.  This time, I suggest you put some kind of mark on pegs 9, 13,  and 17 to help you remember where the lamb's "face" will be stitched in]

BODY  
Switch to Yarn Color B

Row 21: bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k11, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1
Row 22: knit to the end
Row 23: k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k9, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb
Row 24:  knit to the end

Rows 25 - 28:  Repeat rows 21 -24

Row 29: bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k5, bb, k5, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1
Row 30: knit to the end
Row 31: k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k2, bb, k1, bb, k2,bb, k1, bb, k1, bb, k1, bb
Row 32:  knit to the end

Row 33: *bb, k1* Repeat to the end
Row 34:  knit to the end
Row 35: *k1, bb* Repeat to the end
Row 36:  knit to the end

Rows 38 - 50:  Repeat Rows 33 - 36

Bind off using gathered removal method.

To create the lamb's "eyes":  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 two semi-circles on either side of the lamb's face.  Make vertical stitches running down from these semi-circles to create "eyelashes."

To make the lamb's "nose":  Thread about 8" of Yarn Color D onto your plastic tapestry needle.  Stitch a triangle in the middle of the lamb's "face" then fill in with stitches.

To make the lamb's "ears":  Using Yarn Color B, cast on seven pegs.

Rows 1- 5: knit to the end of the row

Decrease size of ear by moving the loop on peg 1 to peg 2 and the loop on peg 7 to peg 6.

Rows 6-9: knit to the end of the row (on pegs 2 and 6, you will be knitting over 2 loops)

Decrease ear again by moving loop on peg 2 to peg 3 and the loop on peg 6 to peg 5

Rows 10 -13: knit to the end of the row (on pegs 3 and 5, you will be knitting over 2 loops)

Decrease by moving peg 3 to peg 4; knit over; then move peg 5 to peg 4; knit over. 

• Knit again.  
• Cut yarn, leaving around an 8" tail. 
• Remove from peg. Pull tail through loop and pull tight.
• Using a crochet hook, pull tail through the body of the ear.
• Thread tail into plastic tapestry needle. Use to sew ear to hat.

Repeat process to make and attach other ear.