A Knit and Felt Pattern for larger sizes.

A fabulous fabric is developed in the felting process!

This hat pattern takes into account the need for the extra-large or large size head. It does not use the typical stitch counts that regular patterns use. This hat when felted properly will fit a size 23 to 24.5 inch head. The fit is very comfortable and covers the ears for the warmth needed for blustery days.

Knit and felt hat patterns have been available for years. Most of those patterns were designed to use an amount of yarn that was an economical use of the yardage in a skein of yarn. And most of those patterns were designed for a medium size head using an average worsted weight yarn. When you felt a hat, you want to develop a nice fabric that is firm and will hold its shape. With a regular hat pattern, you can felt the hat to a small or medium. But if you want a large hat, you cannot felt the hat enough to create that firm fabric and still have a large size. A hat has to be knit larger than usual to allow for the correct amount of shrinkage to obtain a firm fabric. Otherwise, you will have a thin hat that doesn’t hold its shape.

This pattern has extra stitch counts need for a firm fabric. Knit and felt a large to extra-large hat.

The Notes Section of this pattern provides some choices of yarns for making this hat. The Felting Section has information that is important to successfully felting hats and some methods to try. Read both before beginning.

Abbreviations and Techniques Used:
k: knit CO: cast on BO: bind off
kfb: knit one in the front and then one in the back of the stitch – 1 stitch increase
k2tog: knit two stitches together – 1 stitch decrease
knitting in the rnd

Additional Pattern Details:
Detailed written knitting instructions in a professionally designed layout with easy to read font.
Tested many times
Notes section providing information on yarn selection
Felting section providing information on successful felting
7 pages

Materials:
U. S. Size 11 24-inch circular needles and dpns
Hat is knitted in rnd
1 stitch marker
Approximately 470 yards worsted weight
Purchase yarn that is felt-able. Do not use super wash or washable wool. For this specific pattern, I recommend 100% wool and not a wool combination. When you knit your hat, you will hold two strands of yarn together so the 470 yards need to be in two balls of 235 yards each.
Optional – Hat Shaper

Measurements: This pattern is for 23 to 24.5 inch sizes. The drying form that you use will determine the finished size of your hat.

Gauge: Purchase a yarn that gives a gauge on the wrapper of approximately 20 stitches and 26 rows to a 4 inch by 4 inch gauge when knitted with U.S. Size 7 needles. Your unfelted gauge with double strand on U.S. Size 11 should approximate 12-14 stitches to 4 inches. Since the hat will be felted to size, an approximation will work.

To see more pics of this hat in different colors, visit My Shops

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