How to Design a Knit Hat
Design a knit hat to express your creativity, to challenge and expand your knitting skills or to fill a gap in your own wardrobe. While sweater design can be challenging, knit hat design is much more approachable for the average knitter. Choose a hat style that flatters your face shape and works well with your yarn choice. Once you understand the basics of designing a knit hat, you can modify and change a basic design to fit your needs.
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Instructions
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1
Sketch your hat pattern. Think about your inspiration. You might copy a hat you saw in a retail store for your own use, use a lace or cable pattern you love or be working toward a specific hat shape. Chart lace or cable patterns or write them out as you prefer.
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2
Knit a gauge swatch. Work a swatch in your lace or cable pattern if appropriate. Measure the stitch and row count over 4 inches. Be sure that you like the drape and fabric created by the needle size you have chosen. A floppy lace hat should be knit at a larger gauge than a warm, tightly fitted ear flap hat.
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3
Measure your head or the intended wearer's head. Multiply this measurement by the number of stitches per inch to determine the total number of stitches to be cast on your needles. Measure the desired depth of the hat as well, especially when you design a knit hat with a close fit.
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4
Begin working your knit hat. Expect potential challenges when you design a knit hat. Add increases after a ribbed brim for a floppy or slouchy hat. Work even for a more fitted hat. Move your stitches to waste yarn and try your hat on occasionally to assess fit, shape and overall knit hat design. Take regular notes as you work, in case you decide to write up your knit hat design later.
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5
Complete your hat, working from your sketches. Consider writing up your knit hat design to share on a blog, publish or otherwise share.
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Tips & Warnings
Block lace hats for the best final appearance.
Be sure you know and can use appropriate knitting terminology before trying to publish your knit hat design.
