Loom Knit Doll Hat Project - The Big Fluffy Twist

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.  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 Big Fluffy Twist -- A Mock Cable Stitch Hat

This hat is an object lesson in choosing the right yarn for the right project.  If you are a beginner just learning to do cable stitches on the loom, I do recommend that you use a big chunky yarn like the Bernat Blanket style #6 size yarn I used for the brim of this little hat --even though it creates a stitch that is out of proportion for the doll's dimension.  However, as you can see from this picture, the Lion Suede #5 sized yarn I used for the body was just too stretchy and fluffy for the stitch to show up.  And a cable stitch --even a mock cable like this one -- is just too much work to do to end up not being seen!



Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A: Bernat "Little Royals" #6 size yarn
     Color B:  Lion Brand, Lion Suede "White" #5 size yarn



Skill Level: Intermediate

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     ew = e-wrap
     cr2 = cross stitch right (Take the next two loops off their pegs. While you hold the second loop in your fingers, move the first loop to the second peg.  Now place the second loop on the first peg.  Knit over each loop.)

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: *p2, ew2, p2, k2* Repeat to the end
Row 22: *p2, cr2, p2, k2* Repeat to the end

Rows 23-24:  Repeat Rows 21-22

Row 25: *p2, k2, p2, ew2* Repeat to the end
Row 26: *p2, k2, p2, cr2* Repeat to the end

Rows 27-28:  Repeat Rows 25-26

Rows 29-48:  Repeat Rows 21-28

Rows 49-50: knit to 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.

Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- The Classic Twist

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.  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 Classic Twist -- A Mock Cable Stitch Hat

I love cable stitches of all descriptions but was afraid that all the patterns I knew were too bulky for a doll-sized hat.  Also, I am not crazy about dealing with a cable needle. I was therefore pleased to find this neat little mock cable pattern that suits our dolly just fine!


Of course it did take me a couple tries to get this one the way I wanted it. First, I'll give you the pattern I thought worked best.  In the next few days, you'll also get to see my near misses...

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

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



Skill Level: Intermediate

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     ew = e-wrap
     cr2 = cross stitch right (Take the next two loops off their pegs. While you hold the second loop in your fingers, move the first loop to the second peg.  Now place the second loop on the first peg.  Knit over each loop.)

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: *p2, ew2, p2, k2* Repeat to the end
Row 22: *p2, cr2, p2, k2* Repeat to the end

Rows 23-24:  Repeat Rows 21-22

Row 25: *p2, k2, p2, ew2* Repeat to the end
Row 26: *p2, k2, p2, cr2* Repeat to the end

Rows 27-28:  Repeat Rows 25-26

Rows 29-48:  Repeat Rows 21-28

Rows 49-50: knit to 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.

Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- The Bumble

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).

Our next add-on  experiment is corkscrew spiral tousles.  These may be easier to knit than they are to explain how to do, but we're going to give it a try!

The Bumble Hat

I could only find a tiny ball of yellow yarn to make my "bee stripes."  You may wish to be a little less stingy with the yellow when you are creating your own.

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A:  Red Heart "Black" #4 size yarn
     Color B:  Yellow #4 size yarn (lost label)

Skill Level: Intermediate

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     ew = e-wrap
     ew3tog = e-wrap knit three times into one stitch
     WYIF = wrap yarn in front of the peg

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 23-30:  Repeat Rows 21 and 22

Switch to Yarn Color C
Rows 31-32:  knit to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Rows 33-34: knit to the end

Switch to Yarn Color C
Rows 35-36:  knit to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Rows 37-38: knit to the end

Switch to Yarn Color C
Rows 39-40:  knit to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B
Row 41: knit to the end
Row 42: purl to the end

Rows 43-48:  Repeat Rows 41-42

Bind off using gathered removal method.

To create a corkscrew tousle:  I am using Renita Harvey's modified I-cord method of creating corkscrew tousles.  I recommend you watch her video, which can be found here:

 Renita Harvey's Corkscrew Tousle Video

The method is actually pretty simple, but is difficult to convey using conventional knitting notation.  In short, you use two pegs on your loom and wind your yarn in a figure 8 pattern.  You knit four stitches into the first peg and then anchor them by knitting a stitch into the second peg.  Be sure to pull the stitches into the second peg tight to aid the curling of the stitches.  When you are done, it also helps to twirl the spiral with your fingers to give it the shape you desire.  Okay, here's a try at conveying this stitch using knitting notation:

Tie a slip knot in the yarn and place around peg 1
Wrap yarn in a counterclockwise direction around peg 2
Wrap yarn in a clockwise direction around peg 1

Row 1: k1, WYIF k1
Row 2:  ew3tog, k1

Rows 3- 40:  Repeat Rows 1 and 2

Row 41:  k1, WYIF k1

Take loop off peg 1 and move to peg 2. Knit together.  Pull yarn off peg. Put tail of working yarn through the loop and tie off.

Thread tails of corkscrew tousles through top of toboggan. Knot tails securely inside toboggan.

Loom Knit Doll Hat Project -- The Sweet Treat

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 Sweet Treat Cupcake Hat

There are a lot of "cupcake" or "ice cream" hat patterns out there.  My pattern is a combination of several that I have liked.  Here are some of the ones I was influenced by:  Cupcake Hat, Cupcake Hat video, and Crochet Cupcake Hat.  There are many, many more!

Pattern Information

Knitting Loom:  Knifty Knitter 24 peg "Preemie" loom

Yarn:  
     Color A:  Carosel "Blonde Camel" #4 size yarn
     Color B:  Red Heart "Pink" #4 size yarn
     Color C:  Red Heart "Red" #4 size yarn
     Color D:  Red Heart "White" #4 size yarn
     Color E:  Red Heart "Light Raspberrry" #4 size yarn

Skill Level: Beginner

Abbreviations:
     k = knit
     p = purl
     ew = e-wrap

Instructions:

With Yarn Color A, cast on 24 pegs.

Row 1:  knit to the end
Row 2-4:  purl to the end

Row 5: knit to the end
Row 6: ewrap to the end

Rows 7-16:  Repeat Rows 5 and 6

Row 17-20:  purl to the end

Switch to Yarn Color B

Rows 21- 30: e-wrap to the end

When you've completed Row 30, find the first stitch in Yarn Color B. 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.

Rows 31-33:  knit to the end

Row 34: purl to the end
Row 35: knit to the end

Rows 36-50: Repeat Rows 34 and 35

Row 51: knit to the end

Bind off using gathered removal method.

To create the "cherry on top," wind Yarn Color 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 tapestry needle.

To create the "sprinkles,"  Cut off around 16" of Yarn Color D and Yarn Color E.  Using your plastic tapestry needle, gently sew stitches in random directions all around the top of your cup cake.  Do not pull these stitches in tightly or you may deform your cupcake.  I only used two colors, but you may use as many as you like!