Beginners Guide to Knitting a Hat | Step by Step Tutorial

Pattern PDF: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1qSfM3wKx3ddYrFfKAsiJqqBGy6-43DyF/view?usp=sharing

Thank you for checking out this tutorial! If you have any questions feel free to leave them in the comments down below!

Link to the YouTube Video to go along with the written pattern: https://youtu.be/DdP8vwba8ys

Video Times
Materials 1:04
Cast on, Slip Knot 3:04
Cast on method 1 (Beginner) 5:37
Cast On method 2 (Intermediate) 7:16
Join in the round & Ribbing 10:16
Increase the needle size 14:22
Knit the center portion of the hat 15:20
Crown decreases 15:54
Transfer to double pointed needles 20:16
The finished hat! 28:08

Materials I Used:

Yarn : Hedgehog Fibers Merino DK in the Genie colorway (Approximately 140 Yards)
Link to yarn: https://www.loopyarn.com/collections/hedgehog-fibres/products/hedgehog-fibres-merino-dk

Metal Removable Knitting Stitch Markers

6 Inch Knitters Pride Nova Platina Cubics Double Point Needles US 06 4.0 mm (Comparable to what I used)

Knitter's Pride Karbonz Deluxe Interchangeable Needles Set

Susan Bates Steel Yarn Knitting Needle, 2-3/4-Inch, 2 Per Package

This tutorial/video was not sponsored. Some links may be affiliate.

How to Decorate a Hand Knit Stocking | Christmas DIY

Check out the YouTube Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/EvvhTUR4wdI

Knitting the Stocking


Knitting Materials

• 32" Circular US 8 Knitting Needle (or double pointed needles if magic loop is not used)
• US 8 Double pointed needles (or magic loop for heel and toe)
• US 5 Double pointed needles or circular needle (for I-Cord)

• Red Yarn: Vannas Coice - Cranberry (1 Ball)
• Brown Yarn: Vannas Coice - Toffee (10 Yards)
• White Yarn: Vannas Choice - White (1 Ball)
• Green Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore - Christmas Green (1 Ball)
• Gold Yarn: Vannas Choice - Honey (1 Ball)

Click on each chart link below to view and print each chart. 

Chart A 

Chart B

Chart C

Chart D

Chart E

These instructions are for top-down sock knitting using magic loop.

Step 1: Using green yarn and the US 8 16" circular knitting needles cast on 58 stitches. Join in the round and begin working Chart A.

Step 2 (Christmas Tree): Knit Chart B

Step 3 (Snowman): Knit Chart C

Step 4 (Heel): In order to keep the designs centered on the back and front of the stocking, the heel must be placed midway through the chart. Knit 1 round in red yarn. Knit 15 stitches across the front needle in red yarn and then break the yarn. Pull the left needle all the way through, so that the 15 stitches that were just knit join the stitches on the back needle. Redivide the stitches so that there are 28 stitches on the front needle (starting with the 14 that were next to be knit), and 30 stitches on the back needle. Insert the heel of your choice. I choose the fish lips kiss heel, which can be found on Ravelry.

Step 5: Once the heel is complete, break the heel yarn color. (Assuming your last knitting was across the heel) Knit 15 stitches using the red yarn, then rearrange the yarn - similar to Step 4 - so that there is one chart pattern on the front needle, and one chart pattern on the back needle.

Step 6 (Candy Cane): Knit Chart D.

Step 7 (Toe): Knit Chart E.

Step 8: Using kitchener stitch and the green yarn close the toe. (Purl Soho Tutorial)

Step 9: Using size 5 US double pointed needles and the red yarn, knit an 8" I-Cord that is 4 stitches wide. Break yarn, leaving an 18" tail to sew the I-cord to the stocking.

Step 10: Sew the I-cord inside the stocking along the back edge of the stocking to create a loop.

Decorating the Stocking

Christmas Tree

• Traditions Red 1/2" Plastic Ball Ornaments
• 1" Red Plastic Bows (3 Pack) - A.C.Moore - Gingerbread Accents

Snowman

• Black Felt
• Plaid Ribbon
• Carrot Nose, Holly, and Snowflakes - A.C.Moore Dress It Up Holiday Collection - SNO 7016 
• 1/4" Bells

Candy Cane

• White yarn

DIY Knitting Ornament | Yarn Ball with Knitting Needles

Check out the YouTube Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/xzyqw10LD28

Materials

• 20 yards super bulky yarn (photographed is Lion Brand Hometown USA in the Razorbacks colorway #609)
• Floral foam ball (photographed is 1.9" (left) and 3.3" (right) - both were purchased from the Dollar Tree)
• 3/16" diameter dowel - typically sold 36" in length
• you may need additional supplies to cut the dowel the desired length
• Sand paper - medium or coarse
• Large tapestry needle
• Scissors 

Step 1: Knitting Needles (Video Time 3:18)

The first step to make this ornament will be to take two 6" (or 5" for the smaller size) pieces of the dowel and sand down the ends to look like knitting needles. You can create straight knitting needles by sanding down only one side of each, or double pointed knitting needles by sanding down both sides. 

Step 2: Place the Knitting Needles (Video Time 4:29)

Choose a location close to the front of the form to place your first knitting needle, then place your second to diagonally cross the first. You will have to stagger them slightly, so that they do not run into each other. 

Step 3: Wrapping the Yarn (Video Time 6:16)

Begin winding the bulky weight yarn around the form taking care around the knitting needles you have in place. Continue to wind until the entire surface is covered. If at any point you feel the yarn is beginning to slip off, unwind that portion, and rewind tightly. 

When you have finished winding, cut the yarn leaving an 18" tail. Locate the top of your ornament where you would like the hanging loop to be located. Using your tapestry needle thread the yarn under a few pieces of the thread at the top of your ornament. Again thread the yarn under a few pieces of thread, but in the opposite direction - do not pull the yarn all the way through - this creates the loop it can hang from. Secure the yarn in place leaving the loop. 

Thanks for checking out my tutorial! Feel free to leave any questions you have in the comments below. Stay tuned for next weeks tutorial on how to make a yarn holder - no knitting required :)

This tutorial was inspired by a yarn ball ornament from Joann Fabrics: http://www.joann.com/makers-holiday-christmas-ball-of-yarn-ornament/15523616.html

Candy Cane Pom Pom Wreath

Check out the YouTube Video Tutorial: https://youtu.be/JRyxbf8Scgk

Materials

• Metal Candy Cane Wreath Form (Dollar Tree) - or any other metal wreath frame
• 2 x DMC Thread Color Blanc
• 2 x DMC Thread Color 321 (Red)
• 200 - 300 yards red yarn (photographed is Vanna's Choice in the Cranberry 180 Colorway)
• 200 - 300 yards white yarn (photographed is Vanna's Choice in the White 100 Colorway)
• 1 1/2" (small), 1 7/8" (medium), and 2 1/2" (large)  pom pom makers
• 3 yards red mesh ribbon
• 3 yards white mesh ribbon
• Tapestry needle

Optional Supplies

• 2  9"x12" white felt sheets
• Hot glue gun
• 2 x DMC Thread Color E321 (Sparkly Red)
• Stapler

Step 1: Wrap with mesh ribbon (Video Time 5:30)

Starting at the bottom, wrap the red mesh ribbon around then wreath twice, then cut to size. Using the stapler (watch those fingers!) secure in place. If you would prefer you could also glue or sew the ribbon in place. Next, wrap the white mesh ribbon around the wreath twice and secure in place. Continue to alternate colors until the entire wreath is covered. Creating the candy cane stripes out of the ribbon first will help guide us as to where to put the pom poms. 

Step 2: Making pom poms (Video Time 10:15)

Cut the tapestry thread into 18" lengths, then separate each into two sections - 3 strands each. Using the instructions for your pom pom maker, wrap and cut the yarn, and then use the tapestry thread to secure. Do not cut off the excess tapestry thread, we will use this to secure the pom pom to the wreath frame. 

The total number of pom poms you will use will vary. I would recommend starting by using up one ball of white and red yarn, then making additional pom poms to fill in the remainder of the wreath. 

Step 3: Attaching the pom poms (Video Time 14:23)

Using the tapestry thread and a tapestry needle, tie the pom poms onto the wreath. I used approximately 5 - 7 pom poms for each stripe. For the first and last stripe wrap the pom poms around the bottom edge of the wreath to prevent the metal frame from showing. 

Using the sparkly tapestry thread, tie a loop at the top of the wreath that the wreath will be able to hang from. You could also use metal wire or ribbon to complete this step. 

Step 4 - Covering the back with felt (optional)

Cut strips of felt to the dimensions of the back of your wreath. Secure in place with hot glue. This step is not necessary, but it helps to make the reverse of the wreath look more finished. 

Thanks for checking out my tutorial! Stay tuned for next weeks tutorial on how to make a knitting themed ornament - no knitting required :)

Below I have listed a few tutorials for how other people have made pom pom wreaths! Check out their videos for some more inspiration!

• Naztazia's Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gkIVwWOouLU
• Michaels Stores Tutorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmQ6pfk30Ok

Tutorial 1 | Basic Slouchy Hat

Level: Basic

Size: One Size

• Unstretched: 20" Circumference
• Fits: 20"-24" Circumference

Required Skills

• Stretchy Cast-On (see "Related Tutorials" below for different methods)
• Knit
• Purl
• Decrease - K2T (Knit 2 together)

Required Materials

• Size 5 US (3.75 mm) 16" Circular Needle
• Size 8 US (5mm) 16" Circular Needle
• Size 8 US (5 mm) Double Pointed Needles
• Tapestry Needle
• Approximately 200 yards (183m)of worsted weight yarn
• 5 Stitch Markers

Instructions

Step 1: Using the Size 5 US (3.75 mm) Knitting Needle and the long-tail cast-on method cast on 90  stitches.

Step 1 Optional: For more advanced cast-on options see the links below. 

Step 2: Place a stitch marker and join in the round.

Step 3: *Knit 1, Purl 1* repeat across round. Repeat round until the brim measures 1" (2.5 cm).

Step 3 Optional Modification: If you would prefer a folded over brim, knit until the piece measures 5" (12.7 cm). This requires approximately 50 yards (45 m) extra of yarn.

Step 4: Knit 1 round switching from your size 5 US (3.75 mm) needle to your size 8 US (5 mm) needle. 

Step 5: Knit until hat measures 7.5" (19 cm) total

Step 6: *Knit 18 Small stitches then place a stitch marker* Repeat across round. 

Decreases

Step 7: Knit 1 round switching to your Size 8 US (5 mm) double pointed needles.

Step 8: *Knit to 2 stitches before marker, Knit 2 together* Repeat across round (5 stitches decreased).

Step 9: Knit one round. 

Repeat Steps 8 and 9 until 20 stitches remain.

Step 10: Cut the string leaving an 15" (38 cm) tail. Use the tapestry needle to thread the tail through the remaining stitches and pull the yarn so the circle closes. Tie a knot on the inside of the hat to secure end. This tail can then be used to attach a pom-pom. 

Weave in ends and enjoy!

Materials Used in Video

• Yarn: Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Aran Fleck
• Size 5 US and Size 8 US 16" Circular Needles: Clover Takumi Bamboo Circular 16-Inch Knitting Needles, Size 5 Clover Takumi Bamboo Circular 16-Inch Knitting Needles, Size 8
• Size 8 US Double Pointed Needles: Knitter's Pride 8/5mm Dreamz Double Pointed Needles, 8"
• Tapestry/Yarn Needle: Susan Bates Steel Yarn Knitting Needle, 2-3/4-Inch, 2 Per Package

Related Tutorials

• Stretchy Cast-On Basic (Long Tail Cast-On): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kn4rcAnnS7U