# of stitches to cast on for child's hat

[Jyotsna]

Hi everyone,

My daughter is wanting to knit a hat for herself. Her head size has changed since the days when I used a pattern for her baby hat. She is going to be knitting in the round. Her head size is 19 1/2 inches. I'd like to know the equation for using size of the head for deciding how many stitches to cast on.

She is making a simple rolled brim knit hat. Just clings to the head.

Thanks!

[mamavegan]

have her knit a test swatch and count how many sts per inch, then multiply that x 19.5

nak

[Jyotsna]

Thank you! That works for all yarns? All situations? I've always guessed, as I knit (by ear! ha ha) but I didn't want to teach my daughter that way.

Anything else we should know? I've knitted since 2000 and make all types of things. I don't really use patterns. I had a pattern for my girls hats when they were little, and that's the only one I have used. I feel embarrassed about it, but I haven't needed to.

[cristeen]

For a hat you want fewer stitches for the negative ease. You really want it to have to stretch to fit. So I'd take that equation and subtract maybe 10 stitches.

[Jyotsna]

Thanks Cristeen, She actually started with 88 stitches, and we tested it with a hat my other daughter has, and it looks like it will fit perfectly. That is a subtraction of 10 stitches exactly.

I'm teaching her how to reduce the stitches for each row by k2tog. She is finding it challenging. I'm trying to resist doing the hat for her. She's only 8 1/2 years old, but I could do all kinds of things at that age, so I'm really happy she is willing to take it on.

[zech13_9_goforgold]

Instead of teaching her to decrease by k2tog, how about teaching her to decrease with slipping stitches (like casting off)

[Jyotsna]

Just curious what the difference is between knit2tog and cast off stitch?
In terms of her keeping up with the number of stitches (already a problem since she is 8), I'm trying to think of a way she could remember it's time to knit2tog (or cast off a stitch). I told her that if she needed to put the knitting down, that she should wait until she has gotten to knit2tog, put the needle in, but don't knit it. That way she knows where she is when she is done. I have taught a few adults to knit, but teaching kids to remember to count stitches is a bit of a challenge.

She just loves doing the stitches, but I am banking on her finding some calmness in knitting. It works for me. : )

[Ellien C]

For the hat decreases, just put a few stitch markers in. Then you k2tog or decrease just before each marker. You can make stitch markers from little pony tail holders or loops of yarn.

[flapjack]

K2tog is a right-leaning decrease, whereas slip1, k1, pass slipped stitch over is a left-leaning decrease. She needs to know about stitch markers as soon as possible, though...and they can be exceptionally cute and fun, as well.

[joshs_girl]

You could also teach her to knit it top down - since you can try on as you go, it takes all the guesswork out!