Hot Air Balloon Hats
Knitting for babies and kids has never been this adorable! These Hot Air Balloon Hats include sizing options for both a knit baby hat and knit child's hat. Created with fluffy pom poms and a twisted cable design, these hats are visually striking and perfect for keeping little noggins nice and toasty. Special thanks to Karidenver 5848988 for selecting the name "Hot Air Balloon Hats."
Knitting Needle Size8 or 5 mm, Circular Knitting Needles
Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)
SIZES: Baby (kids)
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS: Head Circumference 15-16" (17–18”)
MATERIALS
Baby Hat:
- Caron International's Simply Soft (100% acrylic)
- #9726 Soft Yellow (MC), 2 1/2 oz/71 gr
- #9719 Soft Pink (A), 1 oz/28.3 gr;
- #9739 Soft Green (B), 1oz/28.3 gr
Kids’ Hat:
- Caron International's Simply Soft Brites (100% acrylic)
- #9504 Limelight (MC), 3 oz/85 gr
- #9609 Berry Blue (A), 1 oz/28.3 gr
- #9604 Watermelon (B), 1 oz/28.3 gr
- One circular needle size US 8 (5mm) needles 20" or 24" long or size to obtain gauge
- Cable needle (cn)
- Yarn needle
- Pompom maker for 1 1/2" pompoms
GAUGE
In k2, p2 rib, 20 sts and 24 rows = 4"/10cm
In Crisscross stitch, 20 sts and 24 rows = 4"/10cm
STITCHES USED
K2, p2 rib
Right Cross: Slip 2 sts to cn and hold in back, k2, k2 from cn needle.
Left Cross: Slip 2 sts to cn and hold in front, k2, k2 from cn
Crisscross stitch: (multiple of 6 + 2 for selvage edges)
Instructions:
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2 and all even-numbered rows: Purl.
Row 3: K1, *right cross on 4 sts, k2; repeat from * across, ending with k1.
Row 5: Knit.
Row 7: K1, *k2, left cross on 4 sts; repeat from * across, ending with k1.
Row 8: Purl
Repeat Rows 1-8 for the Crisscross pattern.
HATS
With A, cast on 74 (86) sts. Work in k2, p2 rib for 3 rows. With B, work in k2, p2 rib for 3 rows. With MC, purl 1 row.
With MC, work in Crisscross pattern for 5" (6"), ending with pattern Row 4.
Shaping:
Row 5: *K8, k2 tog; repeat from *to* across, ending with k4 (k6) -- 67 (78) sts.
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K3, *work left cross on next 4 sts, k2tog; repeat from * across, ending with k4 (k3) -- 57 (66) sts.
Row 8: Purl.
Row 1: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * to* across, ending with k2 (1) -- 46 (53) sts.
Row 2: Purl.
Row 3: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * across, ending with k2 (1) -- 35 (40) sts.
Row 4: Purl.
Row 5: *K1, k2tog; rep from * across, ending with k2 (1) -- 24 (27) sts.
For Baby only:
Row 6: P2 tog across -- 12 sts. End off leaving a long enough tail to sew back seam. Note: Hat should measure approximately. 6".
For Kids’ only:
Row 6: Purl.
Row 7: K2 tog across, end k1 -- 14 sts.
Row 8: Purl. End off here leaving a long enough tail to sew back seam.
s Hat is approx. 7 1/2".
FINISHING
Sew back seam.
Pompoms
Make 6 for each hat -- 2 in each of the 3 colors used. Leave about a 6-7" tail on each pompom. Pull all the tails from the 6 pompoms through the hole in top of hat and secure tightly on the inside of hat.
Using yarn needle, weave in all ends.