For this project, you will need:
- 35 yards of bulky yarn (Sample uses Loops & Threads Country Loom in "Shale")
- a 28 peg round loom with a gauge of 3/4" (I used the Knitting Board Adjustable Hat Loom)
- a 30 or 31 peg round loom will also work
- a 26 peg long loom that can be worked in the round is also an option
- your favorite loom hook
- a tapestry or yarn needle to attach the ears
- a crochet hook to weave in ends
Let's get started!
Step 1: Double e-wrap cast on the loom (as shown in this video).Step 2: Purl one row.
Step 3: E-wrap one row.
Step 4: Purl one row.
Step 5: Repeat Steps 2-3 thirteen times.
Step 6: Follow the flat drawstring bind off as shown in this video. I did K1/P1 around the loom instead of K2/P2.
Step 7: Weave in the yarn tails from your cast on and bind off.
You have now finished the main hat portion of the baby bear hat!
Note: Because of this stitch combination, a definite line shows up
at the start/end of each row. I treat this as the back of the hat.
Now, on to the ears...at the start/end of each row. I treat this as the back of the hat.
This is the tutorial I used as my inspiration. However, instead of using e-wrap and making two sets per ear, I did the same stitch combination used for the hat. This makes the ears reversible and eliminates the need of using two layers.
Step 1: Chain (or crochet) cast on 10 pegs.
Step 2: E-wrap one row.
Step 3: Purl one row.
Step 4: E-wrap one row.
Step 5: Purl one row.
Step 6: E-wrap one row.
Step 7: Purl one row.
Step 8: E-wrap one row.
Step 9: Purl one row.
Step 10: Bind off using the method described in the link above.
Step 11: Repeat for the other ear.
The main hat and the ears are now complete!
We can now begin assembling the pieces...
If you already have a preferred
option of attaching pieces together,
option of attaching pieces together,
feel free to use that instead of the method described below.
Step 1: Position one ear where you would like it to be on the hat. Using your crochet hook from the inside of the hat, pull the tail from the cast on inside the hat.
Step 2: Thread your tapestry/yarn needle with the same yarn used in the project. Do not knot the yarn. Starting at the bottom of the year, bring the tapestry/yarn needle thru the back of the ear. Be careful not to pull all of the yarn thru the ear; leave an inch or so outside the ear.
Step 3: Bring the tapestry/yarn needle thru the top layer of stitches of the hat and pull it snug (but not so snug that the yarn comes all the way thru the ear).
Step 4: Bring the tapestry/yarn needle thru the top layer of stitches on the hat and the bottom row of the ear.
Step 5: Continue stitching in this way until you reach the top of the ear. Keep the tail from the bind off behind the ear.
After Step 5, you will have three loose strands of yarn (and one inside the hat): one from the beginning of attaching the ear, one from the ear bind off, and one from the end of attaching the ear (the one inside the hat is from the original cast on of the ear).
Step 6: Using your crochet hook, pull all of the loose strands currently outside of the hat to the inside of the hat.
Step 7: Secure the ends by weaving and tying knots. Trim the excess yarn.
One ear is complete!
Step 8: Repeat for the other ear.
At last, the entire hat is complete!
The hat measures 6 inches long with a circumference of 14 inches and will fit most babies, from newborns up thru 6 months.
For a size closer to newborn, you may be able to use a 24 peg loom with a gauge of 5/8". Using the 24 peg loom will give you a hat that is quite small with very little room for growth, which is why I use 28 pegs.
The same pattern can be adapted for a larger size using a 36 peg loom with a gauge of 3/4”. The only difference will be the length. You could also easily adjust the size of the ears.
As always, feel free to experiment with your own project. You are more than welcome to leave a comment with a photo of your finished bear hat.
Please don't hesitate to ask any questions you have.
Thanks for reading, and have a marvelous day!