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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October 23, 2006
21 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!!
Could you please be more specific with the standard gauge hat please? What thickness of yarn should I use? And where the pattern says “Cast on every other needle over 150 to 170 stitches,” how can I then change to every oter needle again?
hi im new and dont know much about machine knitting at all and would like to try and knit your hat? buy do not know to cast on every other needle,thank you for any help anyone can give me.also can anyone help me with a jumper for my 10 year old girl as she would love me to knit her on.
andy and daine,
I’ve been thinking of redoing this pattern with more step by step photos. Until then, you will need to look in your instruction manual for directions specific to your machine for the cast on. You need to pick a cast on that is very open and loose so those stitches can be pulled snug later on to form the top of the hat.
Cant thank you enough this pattern is totally sheer simple brillance. Made it in minutes. Only errow i made when sewing up the tube i put right side to right, so when i turned it inside it self i got the joining seam exposed. Loved it and that you so much. Will make a great gift
I have made several hats using this pattern for our church’s layette ministry. However, how can I get the bulk out of top of the hat. After gathering the top and bottom of the hat and putting one inside of the other, at the very top there is a lot of ” bulk” like a bump. I have several rows of “holes” from the eon. Why several rows….should I be gathering all the “holey” rows (4) or just the last row or what?
Do you have a pattern using darts to reduce the size of the crown or is there a way to keep the bulk from the top of the hat.
Thank you so much. Pauline
Hi jennifer here, I have just retrieved my knitmaster 302 from the back of the loft, its been there for over 15 years was going to take it to help the age, but I thought I’ll just have a look and see what condition it is in ( no good giving it away if it dosent work) so on opening my belovered Knitmaster whom I did a lot of work on in days gone by, it was in perfect order for an old machine, so hence the story I have now got the bug to start again, I had thrown away the instructions and cards, but some kind person has put them on the net so I’m well away only I cant remember much about working it so will have to start from scratch, but its nice to now there is somewhere I can come to if I get stuck.
Great site I shall come back again and again.
regards Jennifer Dance
I am over whelmed at what I just witnessed….I’m so happy to find you. I’ve been away from my machine for a long time and to see what you do will inspire me to try and go on again. And as one of the notes say they will know where to go if they need help. And so will I….Thank you
Sophie
I am a new machine knitter for the past 3 months. Have knitted only scarfs. Tried knitting this hat, however, got stuck with the directions re: gather up with double eye needle. Maybe because I am a new knitter, I am having a problem envisioning that process. I know that this question is a redundant one, but please someone help!!!!! I am knitting with a Brother 260E Bulky, and having fun. I also own a Studio 560 Electronic (standard bed) Knitter, and a Brother KX390 Convertible Hobby Knitter (knits 4.5 & 9 mm) Anticipate sitting down with someone locally to help me to learn how to use the Studio 560 knitter. I do have a double eye needle. Am I to feed the yarn through the stitches in order to get the yarn off the machine? As for the original cast on stitches, what process do I use to keep these from unraveling? Please remember, I am a very new machine knitter, who has never been a hand knitter (not usually the homemaker type), and trying to broaded my horizon by trying something new, yet productive.
Just discovered your website via your post on ‘Knitting for sale’ and have spent far too long this AM reading. I’m so impressed and will be back. This afternoon I will make a bulky hat and start a pair of socks. Thank you for sharing your talent. Nancy
PS I didn’t buy anything as I’m well stocked with books, magazines, patterns, yarn and machines. Just need to get knitting. You have inspired me.
Hi,
I have just aquired an Old Empisal 700 machine from a now extinct knitting group.
It was going to be thrown out so I took it home to see what is what. There is no intruction booklet and no needles in the main bed but the ribber is complete. It seems in very good order considering its lucky escape. Is it worth buying needles and small tools for it or should I consign it to the tip?
I really would like to get it up and running but have a very limited budget.
Many thanks
Jean
hi, i want to buy a knitting machine to make baby hats for my 3 grandsons, ages 3,2 and due any time. can i make baby hats and sweaters for them on a knitting machine, or will the sizing be a problem? thanks Rene’
Children and baby clothing are frequently made on knitting machines. You simply use fewer needles than adult items.
hello, I am new to machine knitting and own a brother 260 bulky. I want to make felted slippers but can not figure out how to transfer EON when it is too tight to be able to move them. Is there a video that will show me how to do that. The patteren is already EON with 2 strands of yarn. Help.
How many rows do you knit EON before going to EN, on the standard gauge pattern? I assume you do that, because then after 200 rows you say to go to EON
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