Help to make hat pattern smaller.

SwampCatNana · 12-16-2012, 09:45 AM

I haven't knitted in many many years and recently made a neck warmer for my new coat. Now I want to make a matching hat.
I found a pattern but it called for 108 CO with a gauge of 11 stitches = 4 inches. That would give me a circumference of 36 inches....right?
Well, that is definitely NOT my hat size. I find that 64 CO would be better but now I have to adjust the pattern to fit.
I found this site that gives me the meaning of the abbreviations and even videos to demonstrate. Great site, thank you!
Is there anyone out there who can help me adjust the following?
http://tinyurl.com/clytsy7

The hat I want to make it the purple one on the right. The instructions are on the last and next to last page of this PDF.

I am using a chunky weight yarn and size 11 needles. It gives me a gauge of 12 stitches = 4 inches.

Is there anything more you need to know to help me?
I'd really like to get it finished before the end of the month.

Oh, yes, it does NOT say it is circular needles so I am using straight ones.

salmonmac · 12-16-2012, 04:43 PM

The gauge swatch may be knit in stockinette stitch but the pattern cables will pull in the hat size. It says it's a ladies small (with directions to increase the hat size). And since the directions are given in rounds, it is meant to be knit on circular needles rather than straight. You can make a few changes to the pattern and work it on straights if you like although knit in the round you won't have any seam to sew up at the end and that's certainly an advantage.

SwampCatNana · 12-16-2012, 06:56 PM

Thanks but as you can see 108 stitches would give a VERY large circumference. My head measures only 22 inches around.
I still need to know how to change the pattern to fit my 64 CO stitches.
Should I just follow the rounds but when I come to the end of a row and start the new row, just begin where I left off on the previous round?

GrumpyGramma · 12-16-2012, 07:10 PM

Ravelry might have a very similar pattern in the size you want. Have you checked there?

SwampCatNana · 12-16-2012, 07:36 PM

No, how? Just Ravelry.com?

GrumpyGramma · 12-16-2012, 07:43 PM

www.ravelry.com Free to join. Try it, you'll like it!

Oxknit · 12-16-2012, 07:57 PM

Ravelry is always the way to go! You could drop your needle size a little. The hat will be smaller with a tighter fabric and the cables will really pop.

GrumpyGramma · 12-16-2012, 08:03 PM

I think the pattern is written for dk yarn? You'd have to determine the number of repeats to use with your gauge. After that, I dunno about figuring decreases.

GrumpyGramma · 12-16-2012, 08:26 PM

Bulky cable hats
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/sear...c=beanie-toque

Does this look close?
Chunky Cable Hat
http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/libr...unky-cable-hat

Quote:

Gauge 12 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

suzeeq · 12-16-2012, 09:27 PM

Yes, you can downsize the purple hat, it's written for very thin yarn. The pattern repeat is a multiple of 12 so you can use 60 sts rather than 64. If you get 3 sts per inch with your yarn on size 11s that would make it about 20" around. The 11 sts/4" on the label gauge is just to show that it's a bulky/chunky yarn.