Hat-a-thon, Beginnings, And A Simple Machine Knit Hat Pattern
Every October, my local machine knitting group holds a Hat-a-thon. We get together with food, knitting machines, and tons of yarn to knit hats for the homeless. Between those who show up and others who work at home, the pile can quickly grow to over a hundred.
This year, I sat next to someone new. She brought her machine, a Studio 321 with ribber, and was learning how to use it with lots of help from Rosemarie. As I listened to her being guided through casting on, how to set up a ribber, and the importance of a new sponge bar, I couldn’t help smiling.
Five years ago she was me, with ironically the exact same machine model. I remember how awkward I felt not knowing how to hang a cast on comb or thread the tension arm. Back then, Jennifer helped me finish my first hat.
So to the new lady on my right, welcome. I apologize for not introducing myself. My name is Kathryn and I hope to see you the 3rd Thursday of each month.
Info
The Hat-a-thon pattern is extremely easy. It was the first garment I ever completed and does not require a ribber. You basically knit a square. Fold the fabric in half. Sew up the side. Gather both ends. Put one end inside the other. Secure the tops together and fold up the bottom to form an extra layer cuff around the ears.
Bulky Gauge Machine
Tension 7 to 9 with worsted weight yarn
Cast on every other needle over 75 to 85 stitches
Knit 4 rows
Bring out of work needles into work
Knit 120 to 140 rows depending on gauge.
Transfer stitches to every other needle
Knit 4 rows
Gather off with double eye needle
Leave enough yarn to sew up side seam
Sew up sides to form a tube
Gather both ends and join together
Standard Gauge Machine
Tension 7 to 9
Cast on every other needle over 150 to 170 stitches
Knit 200 to 220 rows depending on gauge
Transfer stitches to every other needle
Knit 4 rows
Gather off with double eye needle
Leave enough yarn to sew up side seam
Sew up sides to form a tube
Gather both ends and join together
For this example, I knit 40 rows white, 40 rows variegated, and 40 rows white in less than 45 minutes.
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7 comments
Great just great how many times can I say this is wonderful.
A great teacher and artist.
Marcella
I am having trouble visualizing the “gather both ends and join together”. Is it still on the machine when you do this. I am still new at all of this.
lb,
The “gather both ends and join together” happens after you have removed the fabric from the machine and hand sewn the side seam to form a tube.
You will pull on the loose thread that you ran through your remaining stitches when you took the fabric off the machine. Pull on it to cinch in the top and pull on the corresponding bottom thread to cinch up the bottom. Then manually push one end of the hat tube into the other to form a double thickness.
Hi: I am new to this web site. I want to make the hat pattern referred to above. I know how to use my knitting machine BUT how do you ‘gather with a double eye needle?” I know what the double eye needle is - is use it with my ribber. Can you please tell me how to ‘gather off” with it? Many thanks
Carmel
All it means is to use the needle to gather the stitches off the main bed and pull the thread through each stitch, cinching the top of the hat.
I could not visualize the hat until you explained it to LB, then the light bulb came one. How wonderful!! With Christmas so close I will be able to make some quick cute gifts. Also thanks for the demo on threading the yarn mask and replacing the KX 350 sponge bar! ..answer to prayer
I tried your pattern on my Bond and loved it. Because I needed less of a “dome” in my hat I continued the EON knitting for 1.5 more inches continuing with a smaller KP. I also picked up the “bumps” and put them on the empty needles to avoid the holes made by just putting needles back into work. When it came to the fold for the turn back cuff I changed to KP4 for 3 rows — this gave me a nice turning edge. I LOVE this pattern and can’t wait to make it out of some fancy yarn and maybe some fun fur for the cuff. I also shorten the length of my hat: Basically for 16×24 gauge, 42 rows for hat, 21 for each cuff section, finishing with 42 rows. Of the 42 rows, 1/3 of them are on EON at the beginning of the hat and the ending. Thanks to nataliesknitting.com for the schematics and wonderful instructions. You both are an inspiration!!
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