Knit hats are very popular accessories. They are perfect to wear during the colder months and are very fun to make. Knitting is a nice and relaxing craft hobby that enables you to create wonderful knit items that can be worn by you or given away as gifts. You may even find it to be a passion of yours and start selling handmade knitted items. Although intimidating at first, knitting is quite easy. Here is how to knit a hat.
How to Knit a Hat
First you want to purchase the supplies you need to knit a hat. This includes yarn, knitting needles and a pattern. Yarn and knitting needles can be purchased in a variety of locations including craft stores. When selecting yarn and needles first decide on whether you want larger stitches or smaller stitches for your hat. Larger yarn and needles produce large stitches while smaller yarn and needles produce small stitches. To find a knitting pattern check online. There are several sites that sell patterns. In addition to shopping online, craft stores and major retailers also sell patterns to make knit hats.
Once you have all of your supplies, the knitting can begin. Start by casting on your stitches. To do so, pull about ten inches of yarn from the ball. Next, create a slipknot. To make this knot start by making a loop in the yarn. Then place the loop on top of the yarn offset to the side. Grab the yarn inside of the loop and pull it through. Follow by pulling the knot tight making sure to keep the loop at the top open. Lastly, slip the knot onto a knitting needle and pull tightly to secure. Continue casting your needle by holding the needle with the knot in your right hand and drape the working yard behind your left hand. Place needle underneath the yarn across the palm of your left hand, remove left hand so there is a loop formed around your needle and pull the loop tight. The number of stitches to cast depends on the pattern selected. Be sure to keep loops slightly loose to make knitting easier. Repeat steps to cast more stitches.
After stitches are cast, knit each row until the hat measures 6 inches. After 6 inches is achieved, start to decrease the number of stitches knitted to begin shaping the hat. In order to decrease, knit three stitches together at a time. Continue doing so until there are only seven stitches remaining on your needle. When knitting your hat be sure to follow the selected pattern exactly. Not following the exact pattern will result in a hat that does not come out as expected.
Once your beautiful knitted hat is complete, finish it by casting your stitches off the needle. Follow by making a knot at the end to prevent unraveling. When creating your knot ensure that it is not visible on the outside of the hat. You may also want to consider adding a few special details to your knit hat to personalize it. Then try your new hat on and enjoy.
Knitting Tips
Every beginner can benefit from a few knitting tips. When knitting a hat, you may want to consider using a circular needle. Another useful tip for knitting is to avoid twists in your cast stitches since twists can not be corrected later. Other good knitting tips are have all the supplies you need within reach including scissors, needles, yarn etc, ensure that you purchase the exact same yarn if extra is needed and use stitch markers to keep track of the number of stitches you have completed.
Overall, learning how to knit a hat is not as challenging as you may think. All you need are the right supplies including a easy to follow pattern along with a little guidance and knowledge. Remember to start by casting your stitches, begin knitting by following your pattern and decrease your stitches after achieving 6 inches of knitting. Continue decreasing until you have only seven stitches left. Before you know it you will have a knitted hat that you created all on your own. You may even decide to start knitted more hats as hobby.
