I recently made my first flat bed knitted hat. This is a revised attempt of that hat. See the blog entry. As I am using the same yarn and settings, the prior gauge swatch should be enough for this purpose with my adjustments 22 stitches by 34 rows over a 4” measured gauge.
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. This pattern requires 124 needles on the bed.
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 120 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 neighbors 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.