it’s not a baby sweater

It looks like a baby sweater but it is not for a baby. The sleeves are too long, the neck is too small and will not fit over a baby’s head.
Slide the toggle to tighten the neckband and put it on your head. Whichever way you tie the sleeves, it is an attractive hat. With a ponytail coming out of the neckline, it is adorable and eliminates the ponytail bump.

DESIGN DETAILS

• Great use of your stash
• A good, learn-to-knit, first sweater project
• The only limit is your creativity
• Knit with your fund raising group and sell at your next event – always a big hit.
• At the next “Ugly Christmas Sweater” party, wear yours on your head.
• A fun baby shower gift for the mom-to-be, when she realizes this is a gift for her.

PATTERN DETAILS
The easy to follow pattern includes:

• Schematic for each piece
• A tracking sheet
• Choice of picked-up sleeves or set-in sleeves
• Diagrams and full explanations for techniques, some with links to selected videos

For help with one of our patterns, email your questions to knitinscotts@cox.net. Please include your name, email address, the name of the pattern, page number, and a description of what you would like help with.

TECHNIQUES USED IN THIS PATTERN
Links to videos for selected techniques are included. I look for videos as close as possible to the instructions I have written. Sometimes they may be slightly different but still very helpful.

• Cast-on
• Bind-off
• 2 x 2 ribbing
• Decreasing and increasing
• Three needle bind-off
• Pick-up and knit stitches
• Yarn overs
• Any technique embellishment or pattern stitch, from very easy to more intricate

YARN USED

• Worsted Weight yarn
• For a solid color hat-approximately 5.25 ounces-(150 grams)
• For a multicolor hat, a total of approximately 5.25 ounces-(150 grams), Allow for extra yardage when more colors are being used.

NEEDLES

• Size 5 (3.75mm) and size 8 (5mm) straight needles; or size needles to obtain the correct gauge
• Five size 8 (3.75 mm) or smaller double pointed needles to use as stitch holders

NOTIONS

• Gauge ruler
• Tapestry needle
• One plastic toggle
• Desired embellishments
• Steam-A Seam 2 or Heat-n-Bond Lite (sold at craft stores) for fabric applique only

GAUGE
20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches-(10 cm) in stockinette stitch on size 8 (3.75 mm) needles

The stitch gauge is important for the proper fit of the hat for the average adult head size, especially if it is for a fund raising event. Before beginning this hat, make a sample gauge.

For this pattern both stitch and row gauges can be a bit off, allowing for slight differences in the finished size.
There is not as much size differences between head measurements as there is between body measurements. Therefore working the pattern in the gauge given is perfect for most, especially the size small when making to sell.
There is some leeway in sizing, using the same pattern. The pattern is written for basic worsted yarn at 20 stitches and 28 rows = 4 inches-(10 mm).
To make a hat with a smaller or larger finished circumference, use a needle one size smaller or larger then called for in the pattern. For the ribbing use a needle three sizes smaller than used for the body. For a length adjustment make fewer or more rows to the top of the back. The front neck shaping starts 14 rows before the finished number of rows as the completed back. The hat is designed with approximately 2.5 inches-(6.35 cm) less than the circumference of the head.
With a stitch gauge of 5.5 stitches = 1 inch-(2.54 cm) the circumference of the finished hat is 17.5 inches-(44.4 cm)*
With a stitch gauge of 4.5 stitches = 1 inch-(2.54 cm) the circumference of the finished hat is 21.5 inches-(54.6 cm)
The circumference of the finished hat is less than the actual head circumference.