Adapting Hat Patterns for Circular and Straight Needles

I’m frequently asked how to adapt a pattern of mine either from circulars to flat needles or vice-versa.  When I am going to switch a pattern, I always get out a paper and pen and work it out before I pick up my needles.  I decided that it might be helpful to post something about how I do it so that everyone can adapt whichever patterns they wish.

Of course, Schnapps is always helping me too!

The main difference between the two is that when you knit flat, you have both a ‘right’ side and a ‘wrong’ side, while knitting in the round just has ‘right’ side rows.  I’m sure there is a much more elegant description, but this made it easy for me to understand.  When you are adapting a pattern, you have to change the ‘wrong’ side rows to suit the way you are knitting.  You have to switch the knit and purl stitches to accommodate the piece.

When adjusting a flat pattern to knitting in the round, it’s necessary to drop any edge stitches from the pattern, since you will not be seaming the piece at the end.

When knitting a hat flat, adjusting a circular pattern, I find it is helpful to add 2 stitches to the total number so that you can have one knit stitch on either end as a selvedge stitch.  This makes seaming the hat so much easier and neater!

For example in the Caterpillar Chemo Cap, the pattern is written for circular knitting.  I’m going to show you how to adjust it here.  Here is the original pattern:

            Cast on 62 stitches

Row 1:  K4, P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 2:  K1, P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 3, K3

Row 3:  K2, P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 2, K2

Row 4:  K3, P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 1, K1

Row 5:  P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 4, K4

Row 6:  Knit all stitches

Adjusted for Knitting Flat:

Cast on 64 stitches – one edge stitch for each side.

Row 1 would remain the same.  It is your right side row. You just need to add the edge stitches.

Row 1:  K1 (edge) K4, P2, *K6, P2*;

repeat from * to * across row to last stitch, K1 (edge)

Row 2, the wrong side row, would change – reversing knit and purl stitches.

Row 2:  K1 (edge) P1, K2, *P6, K2*; repeat from * to * to last 4, P3, K1 (edge)

Row 3 would remain the same, since it is also a right side row.

Row 3:  K1 (edge), K2, P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 3, K2, K1 (edge)

Row 4 would reverse stitches.

Row 4:  K1 (edge), P3, K2, *P6, K2*; repeat from * to * to last 2, P1, K1 (edge)

Row 5, again, remains the same.

Row 5:  K1 (edge), P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 5, K4, K1 (edge)

Row 6 would reverse stitches.

Row 6:  Purl all stitches

So, all the wrong side rows knit stitches become purl stitches and purl stitches become knit stitches.  You have added 2 stitches so the first and last stitch of every row will be a knit stitch to give you a selvedge edge.

If you are adapting a flat knit to a circular one, the idea is the same; only you drop the edge stitches.  The Basket of Love Beanie has both patterns posted, so you can look at that to see what I mean as well.  Here is another flat pattern that I have adapted to show how easily it can be done.

The Stylish Tiles Hat was posted as a flat knit this way:

Cast on 86 stitches

Row 1:           K1, * K4, P6, K4 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 2:           Purl all stitches

Row 3:           K1, * K4, P6, K4 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 4:           K1, * P3, K1, P6, K1, P3 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 5:           K1, * K2, P1, K8, P1, K2 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 6:           K1, * P1, K1, P10, K1, P1 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 7:           K1, * P1, K12, P1 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 8:           K1, * P1, K1, P10, K1, P1 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 9:           K1, * K2, P1, K8, P1, K2 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 10:         K1, *P3, K1, P6, K1, P3 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 11:         K1, * K4, P6, K4 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch, K1

Row 12:         Purl all stitches

To adjust it to circular knitting, do the following:

Cast on 84 stitches

Row 1 remains the same, minus the first and last knit stitch.  It’s the right side.

Row 1:           * K4, P6, K4 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 2 will switch since it is a wrong side row.

Row 2:           Knit all stitches

Row 3 will stay the same, minus the first and last knit stitch.

Row 3:           * K4, P6, K4 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 4 will switch.

Row 4:           * K3, P1, K6, P1, K3 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 5 will stay the same, minus the first and last knit stitch.

Row 5:           * K2, P1, K8, P1, K2 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 6 will switch.

Row 6:           * K1, P1, K10, P1, K1 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 7 will stay the same, minus the first and last knit stitch.

Row 7:             * P1, K12, P1 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 8 will switch.

Row 8:          * K1, P1, K10, P1, K1 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 9 will stay the same, minus the first and last knit stitch.

Row 9:           * K2, P1, K8, P1, K2 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 10 will switch.

Row 10:         *K3, P1, K6, P1, K3 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 11 will stay the same, minus the first and last knit stitch.

Row 11:         * K4, P6, K4 *; repeat from * to * to last stitch

Row 12 will switch.

Row 12:         Knit all stitches

I hope this is clear and easy to understand and that I did not confuse anyone with my rambling explanations. 

Introducing the Point of Hope Reversible Chemo Cap!

Here is the latest hat designed for Delaware Head Huggers and all of you!  This hat knit up very quickly, is an easily memorized pattern and looks great on both sides!  I couldn't really decide which side I liked better, but if you are careful with your finishing, it's completely reversible!  Thank you Dawn for suggesting the great name!  

Right side out

Wrong side out

I knit this using Lion Brand Cotton Ease, which is great to work with, but the pattern would work with any worsted weight yarn.  I've got a huge stash of cotton yarn and this heat wave is the time to use some of it up!  The pattern is in multiples of 10 +1, so you can easily adjust the size if need be. Schnapps was a big help, as usual! 

He can't decide which side he likes best!

The pattern is free, but I ask that you drop by our Facebook pages for Delaware Head Huggers and for Kozy Kovers for Kids.  Come join us as we make a difference.  Stop by our websites also to see what we're up to, find out how to donate or just learn more about what we do.  And please tell other people about us.  The more people who know about us, the more people we can help!
The pattern may also be found on Scribd.com as a PDF .   If you are printing this, use print preview to determine the pages you wish to print or copy and paste it into a Word document to ensure that you print only what you want.  Don't hesitate to send me an email letting me know of any person or treatment center in need of caps.  If you are knitting any of my patterns, feel free to let me know how they come out and who you are making them for.  I have met so many wonderful, talented people since I began this organization!

 

Point of Hope Reversible Chemo Cap

You Need:

Worsted weight yarn – I used Lion Brand Cotton Ease – about 100 yards

Size 9 circular needles

Abbreviations:

K2tog – Knit 2 stitches together as one for a decrease

SSK – slip, slip, knit – slip two stitches, one at a time to the right hand needle.  Insert the left hand needle into both stitches and knit them together.

Cast on 71 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:

            Row 1:  Knit all stitches

            Row 2:  Purl all stitches

            Repeat Rows 1 and 2 twice more for a total of 6 rows

Work Body Pattern:

Row 1:  P1 *K1, P1, K2, P1, K2, P1, K1, P1*; 

              repeat from * to * to end of row

Row 2:  P1, *K2, P1, K1, P1, K1, P1, K2, P1*; 

              repeat from * to * to end of row

          Row 3:  P1, *K3, P3, K3, P1*; 

                       repeat from * to * to end of row

          Row 4:  P2, *K3, P1, K3, P3 *; 

                        repeat from * to * to last 9 stitches, K3, P1, K3, P2

Repeat pattern about 7 times or until the hat is large enough to suit you.

Decrease Crown:

            Row 1:  K2tog, K7, ssk, *K8, ssk*; 

                          repeat from * to * to end of row

            Row 2:  Knit all stitches

  Row 3:  *K7, ssk*; repeat from * to * to end of row

            Row 4:  Knit all stitches

  Row 5:  *K6, ssk*; repeat from * to * to end of row

            Row 6:  Knit all stitches

  Row 7:  *K5, ssk*; repeat from * to * to end of row

            Row 8:  Knit all stitches

  Row 9:  *K4, ssk*; repeat from * to * to end of row

  Row 10:  *K3, ssk*; repeat from * to * to end of row

Finish:

Cut working yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Draw the tail through the stitches remaining on the needle. Cinch closed and secure tightly.  Weave in ends.

This hat can also be work inside out with an entirely different look!

Introducing the Komfort Kover!

Finally, I finished this blanket that I started a few weeks back.  Not a minute too soon......the weather is getting very hot and I was ready to get this off my lap!  It's the third blanket this year for Kozy Kovers for Kids - my goal is to make at least 4 this year, so I think I'm doing well.

I used Joann's Sensations Rainbow Classic yarn for this.  I had 2 skeins in the house and I love working with bulky yarn and large needles, so I doubled the strands, took out my size 15's and got to work.  I like the simplicity of the pattern - I can work on this while watching basketball and not lose my place and I also like the look of the dropped stitches.  I hope you like it too.

Tried to get a close up of the stitches.......

The pattern is free, but I ask that you drop by our Facebook pages for Delaware Head Huggers and for Kozy Kovers for Kids.  Come join us as we make a difference.  Stop by our websites also to see what we're up to, find out how to donate or just learn more about what we do.  

The pattern may also be found on Scribd.com as a PDF .   If you are printing this, use print preview to determine the pages you wish to print or copy and paste it into a Word document to ensure that you print only what you want. 

 

Komfort Kover

You will need:

2 strands of 5-weight yarn – I used Joann’s Sensations Rainbow Classics

            I used 2 full skeins of Neutral Rainbow Classis – 615 yards per skein

Size US 15 circular needle to accommodate the large number of stitches

Cast on 85 stitches

Work pattern:

           

            Rows 1 – 4:  Knit all stitches

Row 5:  K5,  *insert needle as if to knit, wrap yarn around needle two times and then knit the stitch.  This will give you 2 loops for every stitch.*  Repeat from * to * across the entire row to last 5 stitches, K5.

Row 6:  Knit all stitches, working the first loop and dropping the extra loop for each stitch.

Repeat until the blanket is the length you wish.  My blanket is about 36 x 45 and it took 16 repeats of the pattern.

            Repeat Rows 1-4

            Bind off all stitches and weave in ends.

© Robin Celli – May 2012

Remember, all are welcome to join us in some way - we love to see new people and are grateful when more people hear about us.  So, spread the word!  And, as always, if you or anyone you know is in need of chemo caps, please feel free to contact me directly at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org and I will be happy to ship some out.  If there is a chemo center that is near and dear to your heart and you think they could use some hats, let me know and I will ship a box off to them.  This is what we do!!

Delaware Head Huggers  

www.delawareheadhuggers.org 

Delaware Head Huggers on Facebook

Kozy Kovers for Kids

www.kozykoversforkids.org

Kozy Kovers for Kids on Facebook

 

 

Goal Met - Week 21!

It's been a busy week here.  More hats and blankets have been pouring in, bringing our grand totals to 756 blankets and 6,752 hats.  And counting!  More are always on their way and I haven't included my last few hats in this total yet either.  It's amazing how many people are so giving of their talents and time and help!  :)

By the way, I'm on Ravelry also - as deheadhuggers - and all my patterns are there as well!  

I made the Caterpillar Chemo Cap this week and that pattern is in the previous post.  I also designed this hat this week and I'm happy with the way it turned out.  I used Knit Picks CotLin yarn and I love it!  It's great to work with and so comfy!  AND easy care!!

Schnapps was just exhausted after working on this one!

The Caterpillar Chemo Cap - pattern posted previously

My wonderful friend Erina suggested that we do a calendar for Delaware Head Huggers with a new pattern for every month.  This pattern is going to be included in the calendar.  I'm hoping to have 12 knit patterns that I design and some very generous crocheters have offered to donate some of their patterns so we can have both knit and crochet patterns included so it appeals to everyone.  I'll post more details as it comes together, but I hope at least some of you are able to purchase it as holiday gifts.  This will be completely used as a fund raiser for the 2 charities.  Any monies collected will go towards paying for tags for all the items, postage, yarn and other supplies.  I'm excited to see what we can come up with in the next few months.  I'll still post some free patterns as well.

I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day weekend.  I'll be busy knitting and I hope you find some time to craft too. 

Happy Knitting!!

Remember, all are welcome to join us in some way - we love to see new people and are grateful when more people hear about us.  So, spread the word!  And, as always, if you or anyone you know is in need of chemo caps, please feel free to contact me directly at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org and I will be happy to ship some out.  If there is a chemo center that is near and dear to your heart and you think they could use some hats, let me know and I will ship a box off to them.  This is what we do!!

Delaware Head Huggers  

www.delawareheadhuggers.org 

Delaware Head Huggers on Facebook

Kozy Kovers for Kids

www.kozykoversforkids.org

Kozy Kovers for Kids on Facebook

Introducing the Caterpillar Chemo Cap!

Well, I'm not convinced I see the caterpillars in this stitch, but other people do and that's what matters!  This hat knits up super fast and is very cozy.  I used Michael's Charisma for this one and used well less than one skein.  Any 5-weight yarn would work fine.  The pattern is a multiple of 8 +6, so if you wanted to use a lighter weight yarn, just add stitches in the proper increments and you'll be fine.

Another Schnapps Approved Cap!

Please stop by our Facebook pages for Delaware Head Huggers and for Kozy Kovers for Kids.  Come join us as we make a difference.  Stop by our websites also to see what we're up to, find out how to donate or just learn more about what we do.  

 

The pattern may also be found on Scribd.com as a PDF .   If you are printing this, use print preview to determine the pages you wish to print or copy and paste it into a Word document to ensure that you print only what you want.  

 

Caterpillar Chemo Cap

You Need:

Size 10.5 circular needles

5-weight yarn – I used Charisma for this one – well less than 1 skein

Abbreviations

K2tog – Knit 2 stitches together as one for a decrease

Cast on 62 stitches, place marker and join in the round, taking care not to twist stitches.

Work Garter Stitch Brim:

            Row 1:  Knit all stitches

            Row 2:  Purl all stitches

  Repeat Rows 1 and 2 3 more times for a total of 8 rows (or more if you want a longer brim)

Work Body of Hat:

            Row 1:  K4, P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * across row

Row 2:  K1, P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 3, K3

Row 3:  K2, P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 2, K2

Row 4:  K3, P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 1, K1

Row 5:  P2, *K6, P2*; repeat from * to * to last 4, K4

Row 6:  Knit all stitches

Repeat Rows 1-6 three times for a close fitting cap, four or more times for a slouchy hat.

Crown Decrease:

            Row 1:  K2tog, knit to last 2, K2tog

            Row 2:  *K4, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

            Row 3:  Knit all stitches

Row 4:  *K3, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

            Row 5:  Knit all stitches

            Row 6:  *K2, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

            Row 7:  Knit all stitches

Row 8:  *K1, K2tog*; repeat from * to * across row

Finish:

Cut working yarn leaving a 6-inch tail.  Draw the tail through the remaining stitches, cinch closed and secure.  Weave in your ends and make someone smile with the gift of a Caterpillar Chemo Cap!

Remember, all are welcome to join us in some way - we love to see new people and are grateful when more people hear about us.  So, spread the word!  And, as always, if you or anyone you know is in need of chemo caps, please feel free to contact me directly at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org and I will be happy to ship some out.  If there is a chemo center that is near and dear to your heart and you think they could use some hats, let me know and I will ship a box off to them.  This is what we do!!

Delaware Head Huggers  

www.delawareheadhuggers.org 

Delaware Head Huggers on Facebook

Kozy Kovers for Kids

www.kozykoversforkids.org

Kozy Kovers for Kids on Facebook

Goal Met - Week 20!

Week 20!  Amazing!  The first hat I made this week was the Waves of Hope Chemo Cap.  I posted that pattern in the previous post.

The second hat this week is just a plain, warm cap in chocolate brown, so it's suitable for a man or a woman.

Our last tally was 6,716 hats and I have more in today that need to be tagged and added to the total.  Boxes were shipped out last week to several places and I'm working on a new pattern as well as the blanket pattern.  

I am always amazed at how many people take the time to look at my patterns and how generous people are about donating their beautiful handiwork.  When I started Delaware Head Huggers, I thought I'd be lucky to get in 100 or 200 hats per year.  People are fantastic!

I'm off to knit some more and I'll be back to share what I've done.  

Schnapps approved this one!  He's my Quality Control guy!

Happy Knitting Everyone!

 

Remember, all are welcome to join us in some way - we love to see new people and are grateful when more people hear about us.  So, spread the word!  And, as always, if you or anyone you know is in need of chemo caps, please feel free to contact me directly at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org and I will be happy to ship some out.  If there is a chemo center that is near and dear to your heart and you think they could use some hats, let me know and I will ship a box off to them.  This is what we do!!

Delaware Head Huggers  

www.delawareheadhuggers.org 

Delaware Head Huggers on Facebook

Kozy Kovers for Kids

www.kozykoversforkids.org

Kozy Kovers for Kids on Facebook

Introducing the Waves of Hope Chemo Cap!

The first hat for this week is a new design.  I really enjoyed this pattern - it's very simple and yet quite interesting visually.  I knit this using Lion Brand Cotton Ease.  This is beautiful yarn to work with and I will definitely be picking up more in the near future.  I used about half a skein for this hat, but any worsted weight yarn would work well.  I used size 9 needles which are a bit larger than you would expect for worsted weight, but I really like the way it came out.  And, of course, this would work beautifully as a hat for anyone, for any reason; not just as a chemo cap.

Schnapps of course, had quite a bit to say about the pattern as it went along and happily, he approved of the final result!

Schnapps approves!

As always, the pattern is free! Please stop by our Facebook pages for Delaware Head Huggers and for Kozy Kovers for Kids.  Come join us as we make a difference.  We shipped out 3 large boxes of hats just this week and our total so far is 6,716, with more coming in every week!  Stop by our websites also to see what we're up to, find out how to donate or just learn more about what we do. If anyone wants to donate to help cover shipping costs, there is a donate button right here on the blog too. 

 If you're not a fan of Delaware Head Huggers yet, stop by and "Like" our Facebook page.  Help us name the patterns and see all the beautiful hats that are donated.  Stop by Kozy Kovers for Kids Facebook page too!  We welcome everyone to join us.  Stop by and say hello.  You can always reach Schnapps or me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too.

Waves of Hope Chemo Cap!

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You Need:

Worsted Weight yarn – I used Lion Brand Cotton-Ease – about 100 yards

Size 9 circular knitting needles (16” or shorter)

Abbreviations:

SSK – slip, slip, knit – slip two stitches, one at a time to the right hand needle.  Insert the left hand needle into both stitches and knit them together.

This pattern is in multiples of 10, so just add or subtract in 10 stitch increments to adjust the size for babies, children or larger adults.  This hat fits an average adult head.  Remember to adjust your crown decreases as well!

Cast on 70 stitches, place marker and join, being careful not to twist stitches.

Work Brim:

            Row 1: *K3, P2*; repeat from * to * across row

            Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 1.5 to 2 inches

Work Body of Cap

          Rows 1, 2, 3 & 4:       

                                *K5, P5*; repeat from * to * to end

          Rows 5 and 6:              

                               *K4, P1, K1, P4*; repeat from * to * to end

Rows 7 and 8:             

                   *K3, P2, K2, P3*; repeat from * to * to end

Rows 9 and 10:              

                   *K2, P3, K3, P2*; repeat from * to * to end

Rows 11 and 12:            

                     *K1, P4, K4, P1*; repeat from * to * to end

Rows 13,14,15 & 16:      

                       *P5, K5*; repeat from * to * to end

Rows 17 and 18:             

                      *P4, K1, P1, K4*; repeat from * to * to end

Rows 19 and 20:             

                     *P3, K2, P2, K3*; repeat from * to * to end

Rows 21 and 22:             

                     *P2, K3, P3, K2*; repeat from * to * to end

Rows 23 and 24:            

                     *P1, K4, P4, K1*; repeat from * to * to end

Crown Decrease:

            Row 1:             *K8, SSK*: repeat from * to * to end

            Row 2:            Knit all stitches

  Row 3:             *K7, SSK*: repeat from * to * to end

            Row 4:            Knit all stitches

  Row 5:             *K6, SSK*: repeat from * to * to end

            Row 6:            Knit all stitches

  Row 7:             *K5, SSK*: repeat from * to * to end

            Row 8:            Knit all stitches

  Row 9:             *K4, SSK*: repeat from * to * to end

            Row 10:            Knit all stitches

  Row 11:             *K3, SSK*: repeat from * to * to end

Finish:  Cut yarn, leaving a tail.  Draw tail through stitches left on the needles.  Cinch closed, secure and weave in ends.  Spread some hope!

** Updated on 12/03/24 to include other yarn weights**

If using 6 weight yarn, cast on 50 stitches on US 13 needles.  Begin crown decrease on Row 7 and leave out all even rows of the crown decrease.

If using 5 weight yarn, cast on 80 stitches on US 11 needles.  Begin crown decrease on Row 7 and work as written.

 

I hope you enjoy this pattern!  Happy Knitting Everyone!

Delaware Head Huggers  

www.delawareheadhuggers.org 

Delaware Head Huggers on Facebook

Kozy Kovers for Kids

www.kozykoversforkids.org

Kozy Kovers for Kids on Facebook