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 (www.warmwoolies.com) . 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
--
"Some people are like Slinkies...not really good for anything, but they
still bring a smile to your face when you push them down a flight of
stairs."

On May 19, 10:21 am, "Karlisa" wrote:
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 (www.warmwoolies.com) . 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,
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

On May 19, 10:21 am, "Karlisa" wrote:
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 (www.warmwoolies.com) . 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.

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

Oh, so sorry! It's http://www.warmwoolies.org/
That "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

"Katherine" wrote in message
ps.com...
On May 19, 10:21 am, "Karlisa" wrote:
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 (www.warmwoolies.com) . 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.

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

Sorry, I didn't check the link I posted. It should be
http://www.warmwoolies.org/ for anyone who is interested and wants to see
the hat I'm posting about.

lisa

On May 19, 6:55 pm, "Karlisa" wrote:
Oh, so sorry! It'shttp://www.warmwoolies.org/
That "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!

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

In article ,
Karlisa wrote:
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

corrected: (www.warmwoolies.org) .

The hat pattern is very simple and it requires the use of either bulky
weight yarn or two strands of worsted weight held together.
snip
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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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!

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

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 infant's head warm in a cold, cold place, and I guess
it'll do that. That said, next time I make it, I think I will cast on more,
and knit a little longer, so it will have a chance of fitting a two- or
three-year-old.

Georgia
(picture of hat in 3rd row at: http://georgiamorgan.net/html/knitting.htm)

"Richard Eney" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Karlisa wrote:
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

corrected: (www.warmwoolies.org) .

The hat pattern is very simple and it requires the use of either bulky
weight yarn or two strands of worsted weight held together.
snip
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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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!

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

"Georgia" wrote in message
news
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 infant's head warm in a cold, cold place, and I guess
it'll do that. That said, next time I make it, I think I will cast on
more,
and knit a little longer, so it will have a chance of fitting a two- or
three-year-old.

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

Georgia
(picture of hat in 3rd row at: http://georgiamorgan.net/html/knitting.htm)

"Richard Eney" wrote in message
...
In article ,
Karlisa wrote:
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

corrected: (www.warmwoolies.org) .

The hat pattern is very simple and it requires the use of either bulky
weight yarn or two strands of worsted weight held together.
snip
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.

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.

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.

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

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?

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.

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!

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

"Karlisa" wrote in message
... It's a great way to
experiment with my knitting because whatever I produce is bound to fit some
child in need, right? :-)

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

Georgia