Knitters - anyone have REALLY simple hat pattern?

misfire

Hi

I looked at the knitting threads but they were a bit complex! I hadn't knitted for 20 odd years but managed to do about 80 of the hats for the save the children appeal. BUT have found its the only things I can knit!!! I just can't read patterns.

I am still doing some hats for the NICU (we lost a son born at 27 weeks and he had a lovely hand knitted hat donated by someone so I know personally how much they are valued). Just wish I could knit the ones with flaps in for the NICU but totally beyond my capabilities.

But would also like to do a smilar hat (same pattern would be ideal!) but in larger sizes as gifts for christmas (yes it will take me that long!!!). Cany anyone point me in the right direction?

Thanks

meritaten

I do a very simple hat from I think a Hayfields pattern for toddlers. I think I also have some hat patterns for babies from premature upwards. not sure what size you want hun, but if you tell me I will look some out for you. (mine have to be easy patterns as I am not the worlds best knitter).

but if you google free kids (or babies) hat patterns you will get loads of patterns!

Gazing_On_Sunsets

Do you knit on dpns? (double pointed needles)? If so, it's easy, with any thickness of wool. If you know the gauge you knit to, and the size of head, cast on as many stitches as you need to make the circumference of the head. (I tend to round it down a little, and get a number divisible by 4 to spread them evenly on the needles.) Then do a rib for a couple of rows. Then stocking stitch (you're in the round so just knit and knit and knit....) Up for about 4 inches then start to decrease. I tend to do a round where I knit 8, knit 2 together, knit 8 etc. Then knit one round. Then knit 7, knit 2 tog, knit 7 et etc, and one round. Then knit 6, knit 2 tog... get the idea? Get down to 6 or 8 stitches left and pull through the thread and finish off.

meritaten

gazingonsunsets - sorry, but for occasional knitters like me, your instructions make no sense!
we want approximate age then told how many stitches to cast on - and double pointed needles arent usually in our craft basket. and they scare us to death!!!
We like to be told how many stitches and to knit back and forth.
a simple pattern like the one i did which produced a great textured result with just purl one knit one through back of stitch then next row knit allows us to enjoy the knitting process without having to worry about sorting out the pattern while reducing stitches.

If the OP hasnt found a nice pattern on google then if she IMs me I have found the easy pattern I use for toddlers and will be happy to email it to her.

ginnyknit

Try Ravelry - just type in toddler hats and Bobs your aunty!

Gazing_On_Sunsets

meritaten wrote: »

gazingonsunsets - sorry, but for occasional knitters like me, your instructions make no sense!
we want approximate age then told how many stitches to cast on - and double pointed needles arent usually in our craft basket. and they scare us to death!!!
We like to be told how many stitches and to knit back and forth.
a simple pattern like the one i did which produced a great textured result with just purl one knit one through back of stitch then next row knit allows us to enjoy the knitting process without having to worry about sorting out the pattern while reducing stitches.

If the OP hasnt found a nice pattern on google then if she IMs me I have found the easy pattern I use for toddlers and will be happy to email it to her.

Eeek, sorry! Seriously though, dpns are easier. If you go back and forth on 2 needles, you've got to do knit and purl rows AND sew the hat up at the end. If you get your head round dpns then you only ever knit and knit and knit, and there's NO sewing up at the end.

To make a hat, as it's smaller at the top, you will HAVE to reduce stitches. Knitting 2 together is the easiest way. IE you put your needle through 2 loops instead of one, and knit as normal.

Using double knit wool, I cast on 12 on each of 4 needles.

You could use a short circular needle.

A friendly wool shop might show you dpn knitting and it's easier, honestly, it is it is it is!!!:D

meritaten

Gazing_On_Sunsets wrote: »

Eeek, sorry! Seriously though, dpns are easier. If you go back and forth on 2 needles, you've got to do knit and purl rows AND sew the hat up at the end. If you get your head round dpns then you only ever knit and knit and knit, and there's NO sewing up at the end.

To make a hat, as it's smaller at the top, you will HAVE to reduce stitches. Knitting 2 together is the easiest way. IE you put your needle through 2 loops instead of one, and knit as normal.

Using double knit wool, I cast on 12 on each of 4 needles.

You could use a short circular needle.

A friendly wool shop might show you dpn knitting and it's easier, honestly, it is it is it is!!!:D

lmao - gazing, my mum was an EXPERT knitter and taught me to knit at an early age - I just wasnt very interested and just about learned how to knit one purl one!
It wasnt until I had kids and money was tight did i start to knit kids cardies hats mittens etc. I dont like complicated patterns so these days I just do part knitted part crocheted blankets! with the occasional hat scarf and mitten set for the grandkids.
mum told me many many times how much easier it was to knit in the round but as soon as she mentioned socks :eek: that was me finished!!! who wears hand knitted socks???? so i never learned. but, funnily enough a couple of weeks ago she presented me with her knitting bag which includes several circular needles. (she has probs with her hands and cannot knit now). you have convinced me to have a go and i found free patterns for circular needles so will do (when I have finished this last blanket for granddaughter).:)

Gazing_On_Sunsets

meritaten wrote: »

lmao - gazing, my mum was an EXPERT knitter and taught me to knit at an early age - I just wasnt very interested and just about learned how to knit one purl one!
It wasnt until I had kids and money was tight did i start to knit kids cardies hats mittens etc. I dont like complicated patterns so these days I just do part knitted part crocheted blankets! with the occasional hat scarf and mitten set for the grandkids.
mum told me many many times how much easier it was to knit in the round but as soon as she mentioned socks :eek: that was me finished!!! who wears hand knitted socks???? so i never learned. but, funnily enough a couple of weeks ago she presented me with her knitting bag which includes several circular needles. (she has probs with her hands and cannot knit now). you have convinced me to have a go and i found free patterns for circular needles so will do (when I have finished this last blanket for granddaughter).:)

YAY! A convert! I like dpns or circs cos I can just go on and on and not look at what I'm doing. I cannot stand faffing with knitting a row then having to turn around and do purl. I get the tensions all wrong.

I knit socks... I like instant gratification and it's cheaper (not cheaper than buying socks!) I mean if I see lovely wool, I cannot afford to buy 20 balls for a jumper. But I can buy 1 ball and make socks, and be wearing them within the week. I get them knitted before I'm bored of knitting them.

k2tog

There are some excellent youtubes for knitting with 2 circulars which avoids having to switch to dpns at the end. If you can manage this, it also means more patterns are available to you.
Good luck with it, it really is straightforward when you get the principle.

ETA: Misfire, don't know if you already know but there are a few simple items that NICUs use including buntings. There are some links on the first post of the knit your square thread - sorry not sure how to link