Loom Knit Hat Project -- Ol' Tannenbaum

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).

Here is another use of my loom knit version of a knit  stitch called "clusters."  Well, actually this is a variation on the cluster stitch

Ol' Tannenbaum -- A Bow Cluster Stitch Hat

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
  
(just in case that was what you were looking for.)  Here I used the "bow" to represent decorations of my Christmas tree hat.
Thinking about late December is not making this August day any cooler.  Am already starting to get worried about buying presents, though....


I didn't have any gold or metallic yarn for the "star" on the top of the tree.  If you do, I suggest you try that for an even more festive look.

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A: Red Heart "Forest Green" #4 size yarn
     Color B: Red Heart "Red" #4 size yarn
     Color C: Red Heart "Bright Yellow" #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
Row 2: e-wrap to the end

Rows 3-20:  Repeat Rows 1and 2

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  


Rows 21-22: knit to the end
Row 23: *ew2, k2*  Repeat to the end
Row 24: *skip 2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 25: *bcl2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 26: *p2, k2* Repeat to the end  (the purl stitch should go under all three loops)

Rows 27-28:  knit to the end
Row 29: *k2, ew2*  Repeat to the end
Row 30: *k2, skip 2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 31: *k2, bcl2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 32: *k2, p2* Repeat to the end  (the purl stitch should go under all three loops)

Rows 33-34:  knit to the end
Row 35: *ew2, k2*  Repeat to the end
Row 36: *skip 2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 37: *bcl2, k2* Repeat to the end

Switch to Yarn Color A
Row 38: *p2, k2* Repeat to the end  (the purl stitch should go under all three loops) 
Row 39: knit to the end
Row 40: purl to the end
Row 41: knit to the end
Row 42: purl to the end
Row 43: knit to the end
Row 44: purl to the end

Rows 45-50: knit to the end

Bind off using gathered removal method.

To create a tousle, wind Yarn C 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

Mark your loom with duct tape to make keeping track of the peg count easier

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.