Free Knitting Pattern...Rock Candy Hat

Rock Candy hat now in Preemie, Newborn, Baby, Toddler, Child sizes!

All heads are different, so please measure first for best fit (each size has circumference and height measurements in inches).

Rock Candy is a funky, adorable little hat that knits up quickly. It is perfect for your little ones who won't keep a hat on. Feel free to customize hat with multitude of colors, or knit in a favorite solid color.

Finished Sizes:

• Preemie (12 inch circumference, 5.5” height)
• Newborn (14 inch circumference, 6” height)
• Baby (16 inch circumference, 7” height)
• Toddler (18 inch circumference, 8” height)
• Child (20 inch circumference, 8.5” height)

Note: Heads come in lots of different sizes, please measure child's head first for best fit.

Gauge: 24 stitches and 17 rows = 4 inches

Materials:

• Any worsted weight yarn in 3 of your favorite colors
• 1 US 8 16” Circular Needles
• 1 set US 8 DPNs
• Tapestry Needle
• Stitch Markers

Abbreviations:

CO: Cast on

K2tog: Knit two stitches together

P2tog: Purl two stitches together

St st: Stockinette Stitch

PM: Place marker

RS: Right side

WS: Wrong side

Hat:

Preemie (Newborn, Baby, Toddler, Child)

CO 48 (56, 64, 72, 80) sts using color A, PM.

Join in the round, being careful not to twist.

Begin working in st st (knit all rounds) in striped color pattern as follows:

4 rounds color A

2 rounds color B

4 rounds color C

Repeat until hat is roughly 5.5 (6, 7, 8, 8.5) inches from CO edge.

Decrease Crown:

(Note: Change to double pointed needles when needed)

At next round begin decrease:

Round 1: Knit

Round 2: K2tog across

Round 3: Knit

Round 4: K2tog across

Round 5: Knit

Using tapestry needle, break yarn leaving a long tail. Thread through remaining stitches and pull tightly. Weave in ends. (Hat will probably begin curling because of stockinette edge, but earflaps will help straighten it out)

Earflaps:

Using color A, fold hat in half to determine placement (I placed a stitch marker on either side to mark the spot), pick up and knit 14 sts and work in st st for 4 rows, ending on WS row.

Earflap decrease:

Row 1: k2tog, k10, k2tog

Row 2: p2tog, p8, p2tog

Row 3: k2tog, k6, k2tog

Row 4: p2tog, p4, p2tog

Row 5: k2tog, k2, k2tog

Row 6: p2tog, p2tog (two sts remain on needle)

Ties:

With remaining 2 stitches, work i-cord for 12” inches (this creates enough length for a bow to be tied comfortably under chin). BO 2 sts and repeat again for the other ear flap. Weave in any remaining ends.

Pom Pom:

Add pom pom if desired and fasten to top of hat.

© Jennifer Dickerson 2013
Please note: Patterns are for personal and charity use only.  In addition, if you enjoy the pattern, please link to it, but do not copy the pattern to your own website or blog (including other languages).  Thank you!