How to knit a square hat and turn it into a Kitty Hat
Making a square, knit hat is so easy.
Although I crochet a lot I really do love the look of a knit hat. My 13 year old wanted a kitty hat so I tried several patterns that had sewn on ears. They all flopped over which was disappointing. I noticed some hats I had seen were square and when worn the top corners would stick out like ears…kitty cat ears? They did!
Here is all there is to it.
- Size 8 needles (5 mm)
- Worsted weight yarn (about 125 yards)
- Yarn or Embroidery Floss for adding the face
- Ribbon or fabric for the bow and an optional button for the middle of the bow.
My gauge is: 18 st in stockingnette = 4″ (10cm)
To knit in the round – Cast on 80 stitches, ribbing for first 1″ and then stockingnette stitch until work measures 7 1/2″. Either use the Kitchener stitch (grafting) or a 3 needle bind off to close up the top.
To knit flat – Cast on 80 stitches. Work in ribbing of your choice for first 1″. Stockingnette stitch until work measures 7 1/2″ . Divide stitches evenly onto each of your needles and use either a 3 needle bind off or graft the top shut. Turn hat inside out, with a large needle run yarn up the back to close up the seam.
Embroider as desired and add a bow if you would like. I used a left over piece of satin and sewed two 4″ x 3″ pieces together (right sides facing) leaving a small opening, stuffed and gathered in the middle and sewed a button on the front to cover my ugly stitches before attaching to the hat.
Resources: These are the videos I used to learn both grafting and the three needle bind off.
- Here is a helpful video for the 3 Needle bind off: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/casting-off
- And also a video from KnittingHelp.com demonstrating how to Finish with the Kitchener stitch/grafting: http://www.knittinghelp.com/videos/knitting-tips
