For some reason, knitting for boys always feels difficult to me. My boys aren't into sports teams and little boys don't seem to care much about the craftsmanship in lovely cabled hats. They want pictures of their favorite things. They want snips and snails. If only I loved doing intarsia, so they could have all the things!
I set out on this hat pattern with the plan of making it reminiscent enough of a bumble bee for my son's approval, but also cozy and warm enough to satisfy my tastes. For toddlers I strongly prefer earflap hats with ties so that it stays put and keeps little ears warm. I also included instructions for just making a typical no-earflap style for both the toddler and kid sizes. Knitted in a super bulky weight yarn, this hat knits up quickly, just in time for holiday giving.
I have linked to the techniques I used for increases and decreases.
Bumble Bee Hat
Yarn: Lamb's Pride Bulky 1 skein of "wild mustard" colorway and one skein of "onyx". Keep in mind that this is actually a super bulky weight yarn, if using a substitution.
Needles: 10 1/2 circular needles or size for appropriate gauge. I use 40 inch and magic loop method, but you could use 16 in and dpns for the top, if you prefer. TAKE TIME TO CHECK YOUR GAUGE.
Gauge: 15 stitches and 21 rows per 4 inches in circular stockinette
Sizes: Toddler (Child)
(for non-earflap style, skip the instructions for the earflap and start in appropriate section marked with ***)
Earflaps: Starting with black yarn, CO 5 (for both sizes)
row 1: K across
row 2 (and every even row): P across
row 5: increase as row 3 (9 stitches)
row 7: FOR CHILD SIZE ONLY increase once more as row 3, you should now have 11 stitches. For toddler size, K across.
Continue in stockinette stitch until earflap measures 2 (2 1/2) inches, ending with an even (purl) row. Cut yarn and place all stitches on a stitch holder. Work second earflap as first, but DO NOT cut yarn. Knit back across. Using knitted cast on, cast on 24(26) stitches, knit across other earflap (from stitch holder), then cast on 14 (16) more. You should now have 56 (64) stitches. Join, being careful not to twist, and marking beginning of round. Knit 1 1/2 inches from front brim.
*** for non-earflap-style hat, start here, if doing earflap hat, ignore the portion between the *: Cast on 56 (64 stitches) using black yarn, then join, being careful not to twist. Work k2 p2 rib for until work is 1 1/2 in long.**
Switch to yellow yarn. You will be working three (four) yellow stripes (and consequently two (three) black stripes). Each needs to be 3 rounds wide. Please keep in mind color changes every three rounds while working the next steps. I should have used a jog-less jog but didn't. You can see where the change-over is on the hat. I'm pleased with it anyway (and so is my son... though ecstatic might be more accurate for how he feels about it) but you may prefer to use one. After last yellow stripe, remember to cut the yarn so you can weave it in.
Work until hat is 4 1/2 (4 3/4) inches from the front brim. Work one round.
Next rnd: *K5(6), K2tog. Repeat from * around (48(56) stitches remain)
K next two rounds.
Next rnd: *K4(5), K2tog. Repeat from * around (40(48) stitches)
K next two rounds.
Next round: *K3(4), K2tog. Repeat from * around (32(40) stitches)
K one round
Next round: *K2(3), K2tog. Repeat from * around (24(32) stitches)
K one round
Next round *K1(2), K2tog. Repeat from * around (16(24) stitches)
CHILD SIZE ONLY: knit one round then next round *K1, K2tog repeat from * around (16 stitches) t
Stinger:
Both sizes should now have 16 stitches. The rest of the instructions for the hat are the same for both sizes (except the finishing).
Knit two rounds.
Next round: *K2tog. Repeat from * around (8 stitches remain)
Knit two more rounds.
Next round: *K2tog. Repeat from * around (4 stitches remain)
Knit two more rounds, then cut yarn and pull through all stitches.
Finishing: (earflap style only) Pick up 68 (76) stitches spread evenly around entire brim and around earflaps. Cast off. Weave in ends.
For ties, I used the twisted cord method: I took a long length of yarn (I didn't cut it from the skein until I had made the cord), maybe 2 ft or so, and folded it back so it was 4 ft of yarn forming a loop that I would be twisted together. I didn't do multiple like in the linked video because I didn't want it too thick, especially since the yarn is so thick already. I twisted the "loop" end while holding tight to the end of the yarn and where it was folded back to until it was twisting up on itself. Instead of tying off at this point as in the linked video, I used a crochet hook to pull the loop end through the bottom of the earflap, and folded the twisted portion in half and held the loop end and the other end together. Then I just held it up and let the hat spin until it was well twisted then tied it off. Repeat on the other side trying to make them the same length.
As an alternative, you could just do a simple braided tie or an i-cord tie.
As an alternative, you could just do a simple braided tie or an i-cord tie.
Happy knitting!
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