Recently my husband and I found ourselves at Michaels Craftstore and while there I walked past a display of super soft cuddly Caron Cloud Cakes skeins offering “Buy Two get Third free”. So. Yes. We found three similar skeins and bought them with the thought to attempt a hat on the flat bed (and maybe a scarf to match). But is this fiber too thick for my 4.5mm standard gauge machine? We’ll see.
Not having ever yet made a hat on the flat bed, I chose to check out my KNIT IT NOW membership access for what “knitables” they have in terms of patterns etc.
SWATCH/STITCH GAUGE (this is for a 10cm/4” stitch gauge test):
Cast on with 70 needles (scrap). Switch to project yarn. Note mast and dial settings.
Mast 1. Dial 10.
Knit 10 rows project yarn.
Knit 2 contrast stockinet rows
Knit 30 rows project yarn
Push both 21st needles from zero and place contrast yarn on those hooks. Push those needles back into B position by hand
Knit 30 rows project yarn
Knit 2 contrast stockinet rows
Knit 10 rows project yarn.
Scrap yarn
That done I shared a photo of the swatch directly off the machine - following the manual the standard green gauge says we have 22 stitches by 34 rows over a 4” measured gauge. I totally understand the swatch directly off the machine isn’t the final but I’m okay with taking the reading now - now I will undo the swatch and reuse the yarn :)
Now I know how many stitches and rows for my ideal gauge to attempt to plan a hat that might fit.
Knit it now Adult Woman hat generic measurements seem to be 28cm from total top middle to the bottom edge of the hat. 57.5 diameter with a planned 8cm brim. Knit it now took my 22 stitches and 34 rows and suggests this pattern requires 124 needles on the bed (which is fine - I have 200).
A finished project note: the knit it now pattern used my gauge for stitch and row counts however finished hat is easily 50 rows too long but otherwise fits width-wise. The fiber is wonderful and cozy.
Below is my edited and corrected version of the approximate method I followed (images above are the resulting project from the followed knit it now project) - personally I felt the customized hat pattern needed more info and images to make this first ever pattern easier to follow so I am providing my own version for my own future use below.
Hat summary: this project creates a double layer hat that in the basic shape of a rectangle without decreases until the very top of the hat (after hanging the hem). Making the top easier to gather later, a row of knit 2 together across the row and two more knitted rows done. A yarn tail and a darning needle takes all the stitches off the machine. A separate longer yarn tail is used to mattress stitch seam together the sides of the panel on the inner and outer layer then joined the initial yarn tail for a double yarn tail layer to cinch in between he top of the hat. Embellishment optional.
Tip: placing stitch markers regularly on edge stitches (every 20-50 stitches) can ensure mattress stitch joining is done evenly.
Mast Tension 0, Carriage tension 10. Yarn: Caron Cloud Cakes
CREATE MAIN PART OF HAT: Cast On 125 stitches with scrap and open cast on with project yarn. Knit 186 rows of plain knitting.
CREATE DOUBLE LAYER PART: Hang the first worked row of stitches on the current needles. Knit 1 row to join layers.
CREATE A SIMPLE TOP OF HAT GATHER: For this next row, transfer every second stitch to its neighbour needle (and move all empty needles out of work). Knit 3 rows.
TAKE PROJECT OFF THE MACHINE: With a six or inch yarn tail, cut your project yarn and with darning needle, thread long tail through open stitches to take each stitch off each needle.
FINISHING THE HAT: Cut a much longer yarn tail and use it to mattress stitch close the knitted panels. Once at the top of the hat again after seaming, reinforce the top gather with the needle, securing hidden knots and reinforcing the top of the hat. Thread in any loose yarn ends.
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