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hat sizing

I'm back with a small problem that I hope you all might help me with. I'm currently doing some charity knitting of hats, and I've run into a problem with the free pattern I'm using

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. The hat pattern is very simple and it requires the use of either bulky weight yarn or two strands of worsted weight held together. I am using Lionbrand Fisherman's wool, because I wanted to experiment with Koolaid dyeing (fabulous results, btw). Anyway, the pattern calls for casting on 55 stitches, joining them with either a 10 1/2 circular needle or double points and then knitting in garter stitch for X amount of rows. I then am to increase 1 stitch every 11 stitches for a total of 60 stitches, and then I'm to knit for 7 1/2" in stocking stitch. After that I start the decreases.

It seems to me that the particular hat I'm working on is awfully tiny in the circumference department. I measured it at 16" circumference. Because the yarn is doubled and my knitting seems tight, there's not a great deal of stretch to it. My 2 year old, who is small for his age, cannot wear this hat. So now I'm changing the plans for the hat to fit a baby. My question, after that long preamble, is how long should the hat be before I start the decreases? 7 1/2", as originally called for in the pattern, seems awfully long for an infant hat. Is there a rule of thumb for this? I'd love to know what the ratio of circumference to length is for different size heads/hats. Anyone know of a chart where I can reference this kind of information? I plan on making more of them and I thought I'd like to make a variety of sizes.

And no, I didn't bother checking gauge. I figured the hat would fit some child. :-) I just didn't reckon on the hat being quite so tiny!

Thank you in advance! I read here often and have learned a great deal.

Lisa

Reply to
Karlisa
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I think that maybe this hat is meant to have a brim that you roll up. But, actually, 7.5 inches is not all that long before decreasing.

HTH Higs, Katherine

Reply to
Katherine

I just clicked on your link and got to a "domain for sale" page, so I couldn't check the pattern itself. If you check the link and re-post, I'll have a look.

Higs, Katherine

Reply to
Katherine

Oh, so sorry! It's

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"org" makes such a difference. :-)The photo of the child wearing the hat looks much older than my hat would fit, and they don't show the brim rolled in the photo. I'm thinking I'll trying a different needle size, too. My hat is so dense that it can literally stand by itself without collapsing! Bullet-proof baby hat! thanks again!

lisa

Reply to
Karlisa

Sorry, I didn't check the link I posted. It should be

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for anyone who is interested and wants to see the hat I'm posting about.lisa

Reply to
Karlisa

Thanks, Lisa, for the correction. First off, that hat looks way too thick to me. that being said, I would say that the 7.5 inches for the length is correct. Try the larger needles, and see if the result looks better. Let us know what happens.

Higs, Katherine

Reply to
Katherine

corrected:

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.

This sounds much too tight and small. I have a pattern for a hat that takes US size 11 needles, only one strand of worsted weight, and you cast on 56 stitches at the brim. Doubling the yarn makes it too tight, and bulky weight is much too thick for an adult hat, let alone a child's.

I guess the garter stitch is to act like ribbing, and the increase for stockinette is to make the top a little floppy, like a beret. The 7 1/2 inches is all right, and will make a good big hat if you use the larger needles and don't double the yarn.

Some people knit much tighter than others. I think the person who wrote the pattern must be one who knits loosely.

It would be amazingly long for an infant hat, unless it was a stocking cap. For adults, the length of the hand from finger tips to base is roughly the length from the forehead to the top of the head, but with babies that doesn't work because their hands haven't grown that big yet.

You have a 2-year-old to use for a gauge. A hat that will just barely stretch to fit him is probably about as small as you want to go, unless you're knitting preemie hats.

=Tamar

Reply to
Richard Eney

I have made this hat a couple of times, with one thickness of worsted weight wool on #8 needles. (I'm pretty sure they were #8s--I don't think I have

10.5 dpns.) Yes, it comes out pretty small, and stands up by itself. It is supposed to keep an > >I'm back with a small problem that I hope you all might help me with. I'm
Reply to
Georgia

Thanks for posting the link to your completed hat (I also enjoyed looking at your other completed work!). I used two strands of worsted weight wool because that's what the website specified. I think I'll try keeping it doubled for the next hat and just change needle sizes to see how it turns out. It's a great way to experiment with my knitting because whatever I produce is bound to fit some child in need, right? :-)

thanks!

Lisa

Reply to
Karlisa

Exactly! I think I'd better go out and get some more 10.5s!

Georgia

Reply to
Georgia

Hi Lisa: I got this information for Stephanie Pearl McPhee's book Knitting Rules. Basic lengths of hats (without a roll up brim)

Length of hat from cast on edge to where you begin decreases for the brim:

Baby 5" or 13 cm Toddler 5 1/2" or 14 cm Child 6" or 15 cm Sm Adult 6 1/2 to 7 1/2 " or 16 to 19 cm Lg Adult 7 1/2 to 8 1/2" or 19 to 22 cm

Hope that helps Marie and the cats

Reply to
bienchat

Better yet, buy the book: it's reasonably priced and has a good number of sections of handy info like those hat lengths.

VP

Reply to
Vintage Purls

Oh, thank you, Marie! This is *exactly* what I wanted to know. I'll print it out and keep it in my knitting bag as a reference. Considering how small this particular hat I'm making is I'll probably just go with 5-5 1/2" before I start my decreases. Thanks for taking the time to look this up and post it for me!!

Lisa

Reply to
Karlisa

Good idea! I've seen it at Michael's craft store before so it might be the very thing I use my 40% off coupon on. :-)

lisa

Reply to
Karlisa

I got my copy at Barnes and Nobles. Just in time to see Stephanie at the Fiber Factory on one of her tours and she autographed my book for me! On the inside cover she wrote "yarn obsession is normal". Heh heh It does have a lot of good information in it. The book has chapters devoted to hats, mittens, shawls, socks, sweaters etc. and tips on how to figure out sizes, how much yarn is needed and the best type/size needles to use. It really is a good reference book. Marie and the cats

Marie! This is *exactly* what I wanted to know. I'll

Reply to
bienchat

Vintage Purls spun a FINE 'yarn':

Vintage Purls. . .

NOD NOD NOD, I agree, it's a very good book to own! I have a signed copy, grin! JM2C, Noreen

Reply to
YarnWright

Ooo great info! Thanks Marie! Wendy

Reply to
myswendy

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