PeeWee Football Hat

I had a request from Joan on Ravelry to post my pattern for the little football hat. This is the one that I designed for the newborn babies at my local hospital. It's one of my favorite patterns and it seems to be a big hit with the parents. Also, I think it's one of the very few things I've knit that my husband has ever commented on. I think that's because I'm always knitting and he just stopped paying attention!

This is such a simple hat to knit. Even if you're not particularly comfortable with embroidery, you can still do it and have it come out great. I took lots of pictures to show you exactly how I make it. Remember that this hat is sized for a newborn. If you want to knit a larger version, you just have to increase your cast on by eight stitches. I use 64 stitches, so the next size would be 72, then 80 etc. Also keep in mind that if you do increase it, you'll need to lengthen it as well.

To begin, you'll need about 80 yards or 50 grams of a worsted weight yarn in brown. I use Plymouth Yarn's Jeannee. It's a cotton/acrylic blend that can be tossed in both the washer and dryer. It barely shrinks and it comes out even softer. You'll also need a small amount of white yarn for the stripes and the embroidery.

The gauge is 4.5 stitches to the inch and I use a U.S. Size 6 (4.00 mm) needle. You can use a 16" circular to begin, but then you'll have to switch to either a 32" circular for magic loop, or double pointed needles, to work the top of the hat.

Because the cast on can be a bit of a stretch around the circular needle to begin with, I like to knit the first row and then join it in the round. It's easy to sew up that one little stitch when you weave in the yarn tail.

Cast on 64 stitches, join in the round, place a marker for the beginning of the round, and knit 9 rounds. On round 10, knit into the back loop of each stitch. This helps to keep the brim in place and to keep it from rolling up. Knit another 3 rounds, but don't cut your yarn.

Knit 2 rounds in white.  Use a jogless join. (There are lots of videos on the web that show how to do this, if you don't know how.)  Cut yarn.

Knit 13 rounds in brown, don't cut yarn, just carry it up the inside.
Knit 2 rounds in white, cut yarn.
Knit 4 rounds in brown.

At this point count over 32 stitches and place a removable marker or a safety pin to mark the center of the hat.

Decrease for top.

Round 1: (Knit 6 sts., knit 2 together), repeat around to end.
Round 2 and all even numbered rounds:  knit.
Round 3: (knit 5 sts., knit 2 together), repeat around to end.
Round 5: (knit 5 sts., knit 2 together), repeat around to end.
Round 7: (knit 5 sts., knit 2 together), repeat around to end.
Round 9: (knit 4 sts., knit 2 together), repeat around to end.
Round 11: (knit 3 sts., knit 2 together), repeat around to end.
Round 13: (knit 2 sts., knit 2 together), repeat around to end.
Round 15: (knit 1 sts., knit 2 together), repeat around to end.
Round 17: (knit 2 together), repeat around to end.
Round 19: (knit 2 together), repeat around to end.

Cut yarn and run through remaining stitches and fasten off.  Tug on the top of the hat to shape it into a point.

At this point, carefully weave in all your loose ends, as it will make the embroidery much easier.

Embroidering the laces:

Cut a fairly long length of white yarn and attach it to the center of the hat and at the top of the first white stripe.

If you turn your hat over so the right side is facing you, you'll be able to see the "bars" between the center stitches. I put a needle under them just so you can see what I'm talking about.  It's these bars that we'll use to count when we do the embroidery.

Thread the white yarn with a tapestry needle.  If you don't have a tapestry needle, you can use a sharp one, but you'll want to do the embroidery with the blunt end!  Count two bars up from the white stripe to begin and bring your yarn up through the center and underneath two bars.

Loop your yarn under the needle.  Notice that you go back down into the same hole.  Gently pull your yarn to form the first loop. This is a basic "lazy daisy" stitch.

Now repeat the process for four more loops.  Each time, you want to move forward and pick up two bars.  You'll have a total of five loops.  At the end of the last loop, bring your needle down by moving forward by one bar.

To make the little cross bars, bring your needle up and over one stitch to the right and at the base of the top loop.

Bring it across the loops and go down one stitch to the left. Make sure you line this up so it's straight!

At this point, I like to take the yarn and tack it down inside and along the center line of loops. Then I weave down a bit until I come to the center of the line. Repeat the same bar.

And do the same for the third and final bar.

Weave the remaining end and Voila! One finished football hat!

I haven't posted the pattern on Ravelry and I'm debating whether or not I even want to put it up. There are so many patterns already for football hats. I wanted the rolled brim and, truthfully, I just didn't see one that was exactly what I wanted.

Just a reminder that this pattern and all my pictures are copyrighted.  I don't mind if you want to knit these for charity or for sale, as long as I've given credit.  You may not post the pattern on your own blog or other forms of media without my express permission.

I hope you enjoy making this for all the little gridiron fans! I turned off the comments on my blog as I was getting so much spam. If you need to contact me, you can always reach me on Ravelry!

Disclaimer:  The little pennants pictured in the first photo are in no way an indication of any personal team preference. Everyone who knows me, knows that I'm a die hard New England Patriots' fan. Go Pats!! ;o)