Thursday, March 16, 2017

Pink Ponytail Hat

Pink Ponytail Hat
Pink Ponytail Hat

A few of you have been asking for a ponytail/messy bun hat, and I'll admit there are two reasons why I haven't jumped on the trend. #1 - Hedwig (my fake head) looks absolutely RIDICULOUS when I try to put her lovely hair in any kind of updo, which means that I have to model any version of this hat myself. Not exactly my favorite activity. And #2 - when one designs these kinds of hats, one doesn't get to design the very best part - the crown. Even in the face of this sad, crownless world, though, when I got a request to do a ponytail hat with a pattern similar to the Cellular Stitch Kids' Poncho, I put on my big girl pants and got it done. Because I couldn't make a crown, however, I had to get a bit fancier nearer to the face. But if you want to make this hat with the Cellular Stitch and that stitch alone (you can get a better view of it in the picture below - it's the top part, with the holes), simply knit the ribbing and then knit rows 26 - 29 on repeat until your hat measures roughly 6" and you've just finished row 29, and then proceed with the remaining rows as written.

Yarn: Sommer Merino 85 (100% Superwash Wool; 96 yards [85 meters]/50 grams); #867 - 2 skeins

Pink Ponytail Hat
A better view of the back.
And my small, sad little ponytail.
Needles: 16" circular needle in size US 6, one 16" circular needle in size US 8, one set of double pointed needles (dpns) in size US 8

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 17 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

So let's make one of these hats, shall we? Using your size US 6 circular needle, cast on 90 stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll work the following ribbing:

Ribbing Row: * k1, p1; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row until piece measures roughly 2". Transfer work to your size US 8 circular needle, and then we'll work a variation on the Wide Leaf Border from page 342 of Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns that transitions into the Cellular Stitch. I wish I had better news for you at this point, but sadly you'll have to follow the pattern for every single row of this hat, as follows:

Rows 1 & 2: knit

Row 3:* k5, k2tog, (k1, yo, k1) in next stitch, ssk, k5 *

Row 4: * p5, k5, p5 *

Row 5: * k4, k2tog, (k1, yo) twice, k1, ssk, k4 *

Row 6: knit

Row 7: * k3, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k3 *

Row 8: * p3, k9, p3 *

Row 9: * k2, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, ssk, k2 *

Row 10: knit

Row 11: * k1, k2tog, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, ssk, k1 *

Row 12: * p1, k13, p1 *

Row 13: * k1, ssk, (k3, yo) twice, k3, k2tog, k1 * 

Row 14: knit

Row 15: * k1, yo, ssk, k3, yo, sl1-k2tog-psso, yo, k3, k2tog, yo, k1 *

Row 16: knit

Row 17: * k2, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, k2 *

Row 18: knit

Row 19: * k3, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k3 *

Row 20: knit

Row 21: * k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 *

Row 22: knit

Row 23: * yo, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, k1, k2tog * 

Row 24: knit

Row 25: * (k2tog, yo, k1) twice, yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, (k2tog, yo, k1) twice *

Row 26: knit

Row 27: * yo, k1, k2tog *

Row 28: knit

Row 29: * k2tog, yo, k1 *

Row 30: knit

Row 31: * (yo, k1, k2tog) twice, sl2-k1-p2sso, (yo, k1, k2tog) twice * (78 stitches)

Row 32: * k5, sl2-k1-p2sso, k5 * (66 stitches)

You're going to want to switch to your dpns at this point...

Row 33: * k2tog, yo, k2, sl2-k1-p2sso, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 * (54 stitches)

Row 34: * k3, sl2-k1-p2sso, k3 * (42 stitches)

Row 35: * k2, sl2-k1-p2sso, k2 * (30 stitches)

Complete rows 1 - 35 and then knit 5 rows around. Bind off loosely and tuck in ends. If desired, block.

Pink Ponytail Hat
Pink Ponytail Hat
Pink Ponytail Hat
Pink Ponytail Hat
Pink Ponytail Hat
Pink Ponytail Hat

52 comments:

  1. OMGosh. That is SO cute! My hair is rather short now and layered. I might have to knit myself a ponytail to put on top. Thanks so much. What a darling design.

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    1. Ha! Yeah I have just enough hair to (kinda!) make it work. And it was years before that that I couldn't have....

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  2. Your sad little ponytail makes me very happy. ;-) The hat is really quite stunning. Beautiful stitches!

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    1. Thank you! My sad little ponytail has been getting slightly happier. :)

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  3. Hi, I am having trouble with line 3. What do you mean in the next stitch. I get to the end and I am off and I have been knitting for years but I am stuck on this.
    Thanks

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    1. Hi there!

      This is a 1-to-3 increase, so you will perform all of those actions - k1, yo, k1 again - in a single stitch. Here's a link to a video, for further help: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f8R2sj1JsKg :)

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  4. I'm glad you modeled this instead of Hedwig! The hat is beautiful and you look great!

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  5. Yes her hair isn't terribly poseable although sometimes I braid it! And thank you! :)

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  6. Perfect! Prettiest pattern I've seen after looking for a half hour at some really not so pretty ones.

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    1. Wonderful! Let me know if you have any questions!!! :)

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  7. If mine comes out looking as good, I will send you a pic.

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  8. Hi! I made this for myself (my first ever piece for myself!) and loved it so much I wear it all the time -- and now of course like three people want me to make them for people as gifts before Christmas (Sigh! Need more time! LOL). Anyway, one of the people is a little girl with a smaller head than mine and since I am a relatively new knitter (and also suck at math), I don't know how to decrease the pattern properly. Do you have any suggestions?

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    1. Hi there!

      Glad to hear that this pattern is working out so well for you! :) And I am happy to help - are you looking for more of a toddler size, or a child?

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    2. Child. She's in 2nd grade, but is tiny for her age. So a child's small I would guess, and I'm sure it would stretch too.

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    3. They always do stretch, don't they! :) And I would say you have two options:

      1) Knit the hat with slightly thinner yarn, on smaller needles. I recommend aiming for 18 - 19 stitches per 4 inches, and decreasing the ribbing by about .5". If you do this, you can simply knit the pattern as written, although if it looks like it's getting too long you can also cut rows 27 - 30. The nice thing about scaling down the yarn gauge, though, is that the whole design scales down and often works out nicely for a smaller pattern that still has the same proportions.

      2) You could cast on 75 stitches instead of 90. If you do this the pattern will still work out (other than the stitch counts at the decrease), but I recommend knitting the ribbing on a needle one size larger, and possibly the main pattern as well (that's a call you may want to make after measuring the ribbing). If you do this, definitely reduce the ribbing to 1" (or maybe even do a rolled brim - just purl four rows around), and then cut rows 27 - 30 so it doesn't get too long.

      Anyway, I hope everything works out for you, let me know if you have any questions! Oh, and another choice would be to knit a LONGER ribbing (for either option) and design it to fold over. This is what I did with my smallest son's most recent hat, and it's grown with him nicely!!!

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    4. Awesome thanks so much! I actually did start with a lighter weight yarn and I was just worried that as I got further on, it wouldn't be warm enough for the Iowan winter!

      I will try the others and let you know! Thanks for taking the time to help! Much appreciated.

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    5. You're right that that's a risk - if you've got any hand sewing skills and you're worried, you could try lining it with fleece?

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    6. Me again! I just sat down to cast on trying the 75 stitch version and realized that doesn't work for the 1x1 ribbing. Should I just run 76 and decrease one after the ribbing?

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    7. Rib* not run * (I'm. So tired lol)

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    8. Ah yes, you're totally right, and that is a perfect solution!!! :)

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  9. BTW, here is my finished hat (I did a neutral brown bc Im boring LOL)

    https://ibb.co/mwBaqG
    https://ibb.co/eztYcw

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    1. Oh, it's so pretty though! And brown isn't boring, just practical. I always make myself super brightly colored stuff and then I have nothing to wear it with!!!! I have actually considered shaping my wardrobe entirely around my knit accessories, and that's just sad...

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    2. Ha, I think "sad" is a relative term for "awesome" :)

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    3. That's what I choose to believe!!!

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  10. your hat is stunning i cant wait to knit it thank you.

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    1. So glad you like it! Let me know if you have any questions!!! :)

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  11. Hello! I love this hat, but am struggling with row 13, I keep ending up with 2 stitches at the end of the row. I am wondering if I am not getting the "(k3, yo) twice" part right? I have tried to google it, but no luck finding information. Please help, I absolutely want to complete this. Thanks!

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    1. Hi! It's certainly possible that that's your trouble; I wrote the row out stitch by stitch below so you can figure it out! I hope that helps, and if not, please let me know and I'll try again! :)

      Row 13: * k1, ssk, k3, yo, k3, yo, k3, k2tog, k1 *

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    2. Gah! Thanks for the clarification. No surprise on my part, I was making it too complicated. I read it as everything inside the parentheses was in one stitch. Thanks again!

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    3. No worries, I'm always happy to answer questions! (and you are by no means the only person who overcomplicates stuff!!!) :)

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  12. I am trying to make this hat. I see someone else had trouble with row 3. I know the pattern is worked over 15 stitches, but I keep ending up working it over 16 stitches. What am I doing wrong?

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    1. Hmm, that's tough... Usually I have some suggestion as to what's going wrong but with this one I'm coming up blank! That being said, perhaps it would be more useful to think about the repeat of this row starting halfway through it? And what I mean by that is do your first k5, then think about it in terms of five stitches (the k2tog, (k1, yo, k1) in one stitch, and the ssk) and then ten stitches (the k10). That might help you keep it straight?

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  13. I've been knitting for years, but I'm having teouble with the ask. What does that mean? LOL. I can't seem to get it.

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    1. I'm assuming you got autocorrected here, and that you're asking about the ssk? Anyway it's a standard 2-to-1 left leaning decrease. Here's a link to more information: https://www.dummies.com/crafts/knitting/designs-patterns/how-to-slip-slip-knit/

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  14. Replies
    1. If you use the green printfriendly button below the pictures and above the comments, you should be able to format the pattern to print. :)

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  15. It’s an amazing pattern easy to follow and the results are beautiful , thank you so much love all your creations

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  16. Wish I can show the hat I made from your pattern,I don’t know how

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    1. So glad you like my patterns! And I don't think you can post photos in the comments but you can always share on Instagram, Ravelry, or Facebook! :)

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  17. Thank you for this pattern I was excited to knit this it's pretty but not too difficult I only had trouble with one or two rows but I'm fine with a little imperfection :-) Made it for my mother she was pleased thank you again for the lovely design

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    1. Wonderful, I'm glad you enjoyed the pattern. And a little imperfection how you know it's handmade!!! :)

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  18. Hi! Ok, so I am doing a Genius Hour for school and I chose to learn how to knit. I need four sources and this is one of my sources I picked. Im pretty sure that I need where you published this who published it,who the editor was, what the edition is and what city it was published in... I don't know if you want to give me that information or whatever but it would be really helpful. If you don't want to say it here in the comments then you can contact me and message me on pinterest at Catherine Traugott. My bio is Im a redhead. I love animals.... etc... Thank you so much!

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    1. Hi! This is my personal website and there is no publisher, editor, edition, or relevant city... I found this article about citing webpages though. It says you can leave out any information that isn't relevant:

      https://www.easybib.com/guides/citation-guides/mla-format/how-to-cite-a-website-mla/

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  19. Please can you share the instructions on straight needles and for yarn with gauge 22 stitches =4in on size 6 needles. Rachna

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    1. I have modified the pattern below; there are a few small changes required for the decrease to knit it flat. Unfortunately I can't adapt it for another yarn weight without knitting it myself, as the length would change as well. If you want to take a stab at it, however, you could cast on 122 and then try to add length before the decrease.

      So let's make one of these hats, shall we? Using your size US 6 needle, cast on 92 stitches. Then work a k1, p1 the following ribbing:

      Ribbing Row 1 (right side): k1, * k1, p1; rep from *, end k1

      Ribbing Row 2: p1, * k1, p1 *, end p1

      Knit this ribbing row until piece measures roughly 2" and you’ve just finished a wrong side row. Transfer work to your size US 8 circular needle, and then continue as follows:

      Row 1 (right side): knit

      Row 2: purl

      Row 3:k1, * k5, k2tog, (k1, yo, k1) in next stitch, ssk, k5 *, end k1

      Row 4: p1, * k5, p5, k5 *, end p1

      Row 5: k1, * k4, k2tog, (k1, yo) twice, k1, ssk, k4 *, end k1

      Row 6: purl

      Row 7: k1, * k3, k2tog, k2, yo, k1, yo, k2, ssk, k3 *, end k1

      Row 8: p1, * k3, p9, k3 *, end p1

      Row 9: k1, * k2, k2tog, k3, yo, k1, yo, k3, ssk, k2 *, end k1

      Row 10: purl

      Row 11: k1, * k1, k2tog, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, ssk, k1 *, end k1

      Row 12: p1, * k1, p13, k1 *, end p1

      Row 13: k1, * k1, ssk, (k3, yo) twice, k3, k2tog, k1 * , end k1

      Row 14: purl

      Row 15: k1, * k1, yo, ssk, k3, yo, sl1-k2tog-psso, yo, k3, k2tog, yo, k1 *, end k1

      Row 16: purl

      Row 17: k1, * k2, yo, ssk, k7, k2tog, yo, k2 *, end k1

      Row 18: purl

      Row 19: k1, * k3, yo, ssk, k5, k2tog, yo, k3 *, end k1

      Row 20: purl

      Row 21: k1, * k2tog, yo, k2, yo, ssk, k3, k2tog, yo, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 *, end k1

      Row 22: purl

      Row 23: k1, * yo, k1, k2tog, k2, yo, ssk, k1, k2tog, yo, k2, yo, k1, k2tog * , end k1

      Row 24: purl

      Row 25: k1, * (k2tog, yo, k1) twice, yo, sl2-k1-p2sso, yo, (k2tog, yo, k1) twice *, end k1

      Row 26: purl

      Row 27: k1, * yo, k1, k2tog *, end k1

      Row 28: purl

      Row 29: k1, * k2tog, yo, k1 *, end k1

      Row 30: purl

      Row 31: k1, * (yo, k1, k2tog) twice, k3tog, (yo, k1, k2tog) twice * (78 stitches), end k1

      Row 32: p1, * p5, p3tog, p5 *, end p1 (68 stitches)

      Row 33: k1, * k2tog, yo, k2, k3tog, k1, k2tog, yo, k1 *, end k1 (56 stitches)

      Row 34: p1, * p3, p3tog, p3 *, end p1 (44 stitches)

      Row 35: k1, * k2, k3tog, k2 *, end k1 (32 stitches)

      Complete rows 1 - 35 and then knit 5 rows around. Bind off loosely. Seam from bottom and tuck in ends. If desired, block.

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  20. row 8---90 sts, p3 k9 p3... I have counted & checked repeatedly and I still come out with 3 extra k sts. ????

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    1. Hmm, this hat has 90 stitches on every row so my best guess is unfortunately that you missed some of the decreases on the previous row... Did you could your stitches before you started the row as well? :)

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  21. What a STUNNING hat!! Thanks so much for sharing it!

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  22. I made this hat 3x. I love how quickly it knits up and how it looks more complicated than it is! I dropped the needle size down by one because I like a snugger hat.

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