Hat Patterns & Links

Links to free patterns:

• Patterns for Charity from p2 designs
• Knitting Pattern Central
• Free Knitting Patterns For Children's Hats

Quick & Easy Polar Fleece Ski Cap

• 1 yd polar fleece
• this will make approx 4 hats (depending on fabric width)
• serger or sewing machine

• rotary cutter and mat (makes for quick cutting)

I used regular weight woolly nylon throughout my serger (needle too) so that the stitching stretches with the fleece. However, I'm sure you can use regular poly serger thread, or zigzag on a sewing machine. The finished hat should be btwn 10" and 11" tall from bottom edge to the top seam.

• With the greatest stretch of the fabric going the width (the circumference of the head), cut a rectangle that is 23" wide (this is based on my husband) and 15" tall
• fold the rectangle, right sides together, on the width (now 11 1/2 x 15) and serge or sew the long seam - you should have a tube that is 15" tall
• flatten the tube with the seam in the middle and seam across one short end to close the tube on one side
• this is the part that's hard to describe ... still inside-out and with the seam in the middle of the side facing you when you lay it flat on a surface, form 2 inward pleats (for lack of a better term) in the top. Poke an index finger into each "corner" and fold them over so they meet in the middle, but on the inside of the tube, squaring the top
• pin in place with a couple of straight pins
• serge/sew across the points of the pleats from the inside. alternatively, you can sew across the overlapped pointed and through the top of the hat at the same time
• you should be able to turn this inside out now and have a hat shape
• with the hat right-side-out, measure 10"/11" from the top seam and fold the remainder inside. serge/sew a blind hem
• fold the large hem back to the outside for a cuff. You can use embroidery thread and blanket stitch or cross stitch it down. If you don't want visible stitching, just take a couple of thread tacks (5 or 6) around the cuff to hold it in place

Children size fleece hat and scarf

Materials:

• 1 yard fleece
• Thread
• Scissors
• Punch

Directions for Hat

1. Cut rectangle of fleece 14" for length x the circumference of head, having the long dimension parallel to the selvage.
2. Fold rectangle in half along the width, matching short ends. Sew long edge. Sew one short edge. Turn right side out.
3. Roll back opposite short end as desired to form brim of hat.
4. Punch hole in both of the top corners of hat. Attach pom poms (see instructions below).

Directions for Scarf

1. Cut 9" x 50" rectangle of fleece, with long dimension running from selvage to selvage.
2. Punch holes as desired on each end of scarf. Attach pom poms (see instructions below).

Directions for Pom Poms

1. Cut three rectangles of fleece, each 3" x entire width of fleece.
2. Fold each rectangle intothirds. Stitch lengthwise down center of rectangles. Trim long edges to create 2-1/4"-wide strip. Save trimmings to be used as ties in Step 4.
3. On long edges, cut every 1/4" to within 1/4" of line of stitching.
4. Cut strip into 6" lengths. Roll each length tightly along stitching line. Using narrow strips from Step 2 as ties, wrap tightly around center of pom pom and knot; leave ends of ties long in order to secure pom poms to hat or scarf. Fluff up pom pom by rolling between palms of your hands.

TIP: Use very sharp scissors or sharp rotary cutter to cut fleece.

OR:

Really Basic Stretchy Hat

Toddler sized 1-3 years old; (Child sized 4-9 years) (10-13) (teen-adult)
Size 8 knitting needles (for circular or double pointed needles, add 2 sts to each size)
3 oz of bright colored worsted weight 4 ply yarn

Cast on 68 sts (76)(80)(88)
Row 1: K2, P2, K2 across line, ending with P2.
Repeat Row 1 until hat is 8 1/2" (9") (10") (11") from start.
Decrease rows:
Row 1: K2 together, purl 2, k2 tog. across row.
Row 2: Knit
Row 3: (K2 stitches together) repeat across row.
Last decrease row: Knit across.