Learn to Knit IV - Basic Hat

[Shandeh]

Aren't you proud of yourself for learning to knit?
So far, you have learned how to do the knit stitch, the purl stitch, seed stitch, ribbing, and how to knit in the round with double pointed needles! Way to go!

Now, we are ready to make a Basic Cap!

HOW TO VIDEOS, FOR MAKING THE BASIC CAP


Beginner Hat by Shandeh, on Flickr

We will be using Bernat's beautiful Mosaic yarn, which is self-striping. This means that it will change colors all by itself, without you having to do a single thing. Awesome!



The pattern is designed in two sizes (Ladies/Mens), and in two different versions (Regular/Slouchy).
To make your hat, you will only need one skein of Bernat Mosaic yarn, in your favorite colorway. I'll be stopping by my local craft store to choose my color this weekend. Where do you like to buy your favorite Bernat yarns?

The pattern recommends using double pointed needles in two different sizes. [4mm (U.S. 6) and 5mm (U.S. 8)]
BUT, before you go buy those needles, be sure to do a gauge swatch, to make sure you are knitting to gauge. You DO want to wear this hat, don't you? Any time you knit a garment, be SURE to do a gauge swatch, so it will fit properly.

The gauge for our Basic Cap pattern is 18 sts and 24 rows = 4" [10 cm] with larger needle in stocking st

So, this means you should knit your gauge swatch with the larger of the two different needles. In this case, we will be knitting our swatch with size US 8 (5 mm) needles.

The swatch should be knit in stocking stitch (stockinette). This means, we should knit a row, then purl a row (or knit every row in the round).

After you knit your swatch, pull it off the needles (DO NOT bind off or cut the yarn), and lay it on a table. Next, place a ruler on top of the swatch, and carefully count the number of stitches you have across 4 inches of knitting - (count the V's). You should have 18 stitches.

If you have MORE than 18 stitches, you should switch to a larger needle.
If you have LESS than 18 stitches, you should switch to a smaller needle.

You might need to knit several swatches before you get the right gauge, so just take your time and make sure it's right.

After you determine if your gauge is accurate, you can purchase the double pointed needles you need for the project.

If your gauge indicates that you need to use size US 9 (5.5 mm) needles, then you will also need size US 7 (4.5 mm) for the smaller needles.

If your gauge indicates that you need to use size US 7 (4.5 mm) needles, then you will also need size US 5 (3.75 mm) needles.

BUT!! Before buying those dpns, let's think about this project.
The very first instruction says to cast on 84 (96) stitches. That's an awful lot of stitches to carry on double pointed needles. In my experience, it's much easier to work with lots of stitches on a CIRCULAR knitting needle. That way, you won't have to worry about the stitches slipping off the dpns as you work. The pattern indicates using the SMALLER needle to cast on, so I would recommend buying a 16 inch circular needle in the smaller size indicated (a circular needle longer than 16 inches would be too long to use for a hat).

After the ribbing is worked on the hat, the pattern says to switch to larger needles. So, since we will still have lots of stitches on the needles, I would once again recommend using a CIRCULAR needle. And, it should also be 16 inches long.

By the way, if you have some old circular knitting needles sitting around, you can measure them from needle tip to needle tip to find out how long they are. If you don't know what size they are, you can use a knitting needle gauge. Just stick the needle in the holes until it fits properly, to find out the size of your needle.


So, if you want to knit like me, you will want to purchase two circular knitting needles, 16 inches long (one in each size you will need for your hat). You will ALSO need one set of dpns for knitting the top of your hat, because after doing all our decreases, the hat will become too small to fit on the circular. The dpns you use will need to be in the LARGER size specified in the pattern.

Whew! That sure was a lot of discussion, wasn't it?
But, it was necessary, so we know our project will be a success.

Who's ready to knit a hat?

[Shandeh]

Last night, I stopped at my local craft store, and found this nice skein of Bernat Mosaic in the color "Waterfall". I think it will work well for a hat.

Bernat Mosaic - Waterfall 2 by Shandeh, on Flickr

[tjwjlove]

Count me in on this one. pawpawtrys2 said he wanted me to make one for him in the ( Into the Woods) color. So, now I have to order the Mosaic online. While I'm at it I'll get the Sox yarn. I sure wish I could just go to the craft store here and pick it up. We don't have a lot of choices when it comes to the Benat Brand. I have a lot of Bernat's yarn, but it never seems to be the right one.
PS--I just ordered the Mosaic in "In The Woods and Daydream". My Sox yarn in "Faded Denim and Hot Tamale.

[Shandeh]

:knit: Count me in on this one. pawpawtrys2 said he wanted me to make one for him in the ( Into the Woods) color. So, now I have to order the Mosaic online. While I'm at it I'll get the Sox yarn. I sure wish I could just go to the craft store here and pick it up. We don't have a lot of choices when it comes to the Benat Brand. I have a lot of Bernat's yarn, but it never seems to be the right one.
PS--I just ordered the Mosaic in "In The Woods and Daydream". My Sox yarn in "Faded Denim and Hot Tamale.

Fun! I will enjoy making our hats together.
I'm sorry you can't find much Bernat yarn in your area. What craft stores do you have locally? I'm spoiled in my area. I have Michaels, AC Moore, and Hobby Lobby all within 20 minutes of my house.

[tjwjlove]

I think this hat will be fun. I get to use the dpn's and the circular's. I'm really looking forward to this project. We have 2-JoAnns, and 3 Michaels . They all carry a lot of the baby yarns. I have never seen the Sox or Mosaic. When they do have items like the Satin and Waverly, our color choices are limited and they never re-stock. We just went to Michaels yesterday and they are starting to put out Bernat's Christmas Yarn and I did see the new cotton yarn. There is a Hobby Lobby which I love but its about 45 minutes from here. I'm not a big on-line buyer. I usually turn to my stash for anything that will work. I really really wanted the Sox and Mosaic yarn. Your projects always turn out beautiful.

[Shandeh]

I think this hat will be fun. I get to use the dpn's and the circular's. I'm really looking forward to this project. We have 2-JoAnns, and 3 Michaels . They all carry a lot of the baby yarns. I have never seen the Sox or Mosaic. When they do have items like the Satin and Waverly, our color choices are limited and they never re-stock. We just went to Michaels yesterday and they are starting to put out Bernat's Christmas Yarn and I did see the new cotton yarn. There is a Hobby Lobby which I love but its about 45 minutes from here. I'm not a big on-line buyer. I usually turn to my stash for anything that will work. I really really wanted the Sox and Mosaic yarn. Your projects always turn out beautiful.

Aw, I'm sorry you can't find the Sox or Mosaic yarns!
For the hat we are knitting this time, you can use another worsted weight yarn, since you can't find the Mosaic. Just check your gauge, to make sure you are knitting the right size for the project.

Thank you for the sweet compliment! I'm amazed at how quickly you are learning - one day, you are gonna leave me in the dust with your knitting accomplishments.

[tjwjlove]

Shandeh, I finished my ribbing today and will start on the circulars tomorrow. I was reading your instructions and where it says Gauge Swatch, shouldn't it be If More than 18 use a smaller needle and if Less than 18, a larger needle?? I'll make this hat with my stash, and when my Mosaic yarn comes in I'll try another one. Practice, practice.

[Shandeh]

:hellogoodbye: I was reading your instructions and where it says Gauge Swatch, shouldn't it be If More than 18 use a smaller needle and if Less than 18, a larger needle??

Nope, it's right.

Imagine if your gauge swatch comes out with 22 stitches instead of 18. This means that your needle was too small, so you were able to fit more stitches than you should. So, you should switch to a larger needle, to make the number of stitches lower.

Same for the other direction. If you came out with 16 stitches, then your needle would have been too big. So, you would need to switch to a smaller needle.

[tjwjlove]

:hellogoodbye: I was reading your instructions and where it says Gauge Swatch, shouldn't it be If More than 18 use a smaller needle and if Less than 18, a larger needle??

Nope, it's right.

Imagine if your gauge swatch comes out with 22 stitches instead of 18. This means that your needle was too small, so you were able to fit more stitches than you should. So, you should switch to a larger needle, to make the number of stitches lower.

Same for the other direction. If you came out with 16 stitches, then your needle would have been too big. So, you would need to switch to a smaller needle.

I'm so sorry, I must have had my head up my butt when I read it. I got now. That's why we need you, you can help us understand what were trying to do.

[Shandeh]

:hellogoodbye: I was reading your instructions and where it says Gauge Swatch, shouldn't it be If More than 18 use a smaller needle and if Less than 18, a larger needle??

Nope, it's right.

Imagine if your gauge swatch comes out with 22 stitches instead of 18. This means that your needle was too small, so you were able to fit more stitches than you should. So, you should switch to a larger needle, to make the number of stitches lower.

Same for the other direction. If you came out with 16 stitches, then your needle would have been too big. So, you would need to switch to a smaller needle.

I'm so sorry, I must have had my head up my butt when I read it. I got now. That's why we need you, you can help us understand what were trying to do.

No worries, my friend. When I first typed the instructions, I had to imagine that I was knitting the swatch, so I could explain it correctly. I think I re-read that section about 5 times!