All of us, all over the world are still battling COVID-19. So many lives have been lost since I posted the last pattern on April 1, 2020. I hope that all of you are safe and healthy and that your families are too. Delaware Head Hugger operations are still suspended for the foreseeable future. Hopefully, someday, we will be able to get back to normal. Stay safe and be well!
To navigate through scary times, I find distractions are helpful. I've been spending a lot of time in my yard watching the birds and bees and butterflies and some time knitting as well. This is a hat pattern that I originally made a year or so ago and then promptly lost my pattern notes. So, I decided to work it out again and share it with everyone. To show how if at first you don't succeed, this pattern was worked out 3 different times before I got it the way I wanted it to look. To me, it looks like a pinball machine a bit and I know I feel like life has become a pinball machine, so I thought the name fit.
The first try, I wasn't paying attention and had a partial pattern repeat on the bottom of the hat.
On the second try I had a partial pattern repeat on the bottom and at the top of the hat! Now, neither of these ruins the hat, so if you want to knit it this way, it works fine. But, it wasn't what I had planned - I just wasn't paying attention.
Finally, I did it the way I had envisioned! This used 5-weight yarn and size 11 needles, because that's what I had ready to go in my stash. Instructions for all yarn weights are included.
Pinball
You will need 5-weight yarn in 2 colors and size 11 needles.
Abbreviations:
k2tog: knit 2 stitches together
Using Color A, cast on 63 stitches, place marker and join, taking care not to twist stitches.
Work Brim: Using Color A
Row 1: knit all stitches
Row 2: purl all stitches
Repeat Rows 1-2 until your work measures about 2.5 inches, or longer if you prefer, in length.
Work Pattern: all stitches are knit stitches. The numbers and letter refer to color: In the models Color A is gray and B is turquoise. Color A is seafoam and B is pink. Color A is brown and B is cream.
First Repeat Only IF you want to prevent the start of the partial pattern as seen on the seafoam/pink hat and the brown/cream hat.
Row 1: *1B, 8A*; repeat around
Row 2: *1B, 1A, 1B, 6A*; repeat around
Then work rows 3-6 and repeat 1-6, as below, as needed.
Row 1: *1B, 4A, 3B, 1A*; repeat around
Row 2: *1B ,1A, 1B, 2A, 2B, 2A; repeat around
Row 3: *1B, 1A, 2B, 5A*; repeat around
Row 4: *1B, 1A, 3B, 4A*; repeat around
Row 5: *1B, 2A, 2B, 2A, 1B, 1A*; repeat around
Row 6: *1B, 5A, 2B, 1A*; repeat around
Repeat Rows 1 - 6 until piece is about 7 inches in length.
End with a Row 4 and work Rows 5 & 6 as below.
Last Repeat Only IF you want to avoid the partial pattern at the top of the seafoam/pink version. If not, just work the last 2 rows as written.
Row 5: *1B, 2A, 2B, 4A*; repeat around
Row 6: *1B, 8A*; repeat around
Work Crown: Using Color A:
Row 1: knit all stitches
Repeat Row 1 until piece is 7.5 - 8 inches in length.
Work Decrease in Color A: use dpn’s when needed
Row 1: *k7, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 2: *k6, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 3: *k5, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 4: *k4, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 5: *k3, k2tog *; repeat around
Row 6: *k2, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 7: *k1, k2tog*; repeat around
Row 8: *k2tog *; repeat around
Finish: Cut working yarn, leaving a 6-inch tail. Draw the tail through the remaining stitches, cinch closed and secure. Weave in ends and share.
If using 6-weight yarn, use size 15 needles and cast on 45.
If using 4-weight yarn, use size 8 needles and cast on 81.
If using 3-weight yarn, use size 6 needles and cast on 108.
If using 2-weight yarn, use size 4 needles and cast on 144.
This pattern is worked over 9 stitches.
Adjust accordingly for size differences.
Learn more about Delaware Head Huggers by visiting www.delawareheadhuggers.org
We also have patterns available as paperbacks or a Kindle e-books from Amazon. They can be purchased here.
Remember to join us on our Facebook page - you can see all the beautiful hats that are donated and shipped out.
Stop by Kozy Kovers for Kids Facebook page too and see all the gorgeous handmade blankets that are going to help children in crisis throughout our area. We welcome everyone to join us. Stop by and say hello.
You can always reach me at robin@delawareheadhuggers.org too!