Child's Dog Hat

This simple Dog Hat is really just a basic hat pattern embellished with knit-on ears and a face worked in duplicate stitch, but to the child who receives it, it's a lot more fun than just a plain old hat.

The hat can be used for warmth (though it does not cover the ears as written) or during play time, and is a great quick last-minute gift for a little one for their birthday or a holiday. You might even have enough scraps in your stash to make this one -- I did.

• about 100 yards of medium weight wool or wool blend in dark brown
• about 20 yards medium weight yarn in black
• one set of 4 size 7 US double-pointed knitting needles
• scissors and yarn needle

Gauge:

22 stitches and 26 rows per 4 inches (5.5 stitches and 6.5 rows per inch) in Stockinette Stitch in the round.

Size:

About 16 (17, 18) inches around and 6 (7, 8) inches tall. To fit a 1 (2-3, 4-5) year old. The hat is very stretchy. Instructions are given for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. Hat shown is the medium size, for a 2-year-old.

1. Cast on 88 (92, 100) stitches. Arrange on 3 double-pointed needles. Join in round, being careful not to twist.
2. Work in knit 2, purl 2 for 1 inch.
3. Change to Stockinette Stitch and knit for 4 (5, 6) inches, or to desired length.
4. *Knit 2, knit 2 together. Repeat from * around. 66 (69, 75) stitches.
5. Knit one round straight.
6. *Knit 1, k2tog. Repeat from * around. 44 (46, 50).
7. Knit one round straight.
8. *K2tog. Repeat from * around. 22 (23, 25).
9. Knit one round straight.
10. *K2tog. Repeat from * around (2 larger sizes end knit 1). 11 (11, 12).
11. Cut yarn, thread onto yarn needle, slide stitches off needles onto yarn and pull tight.

1. Choose a point at the top of the hat (and a corresponding point on opposite side) to add ears. Mine are in the top row of the hat, 5 stitches from center.
2. Using black yarn, pick up and knit 6 stitches.
3. Work in Garter Stitch to desired length (mine are about 4.5 inches to this point).
4. Knit 2 together, knit 2, slip, slip knit.
5. Knit the next row.
6. Knit 2 together, ssk.
7. Bind off.
8. Repeat on other side.
9. For face, choose where you want the features to go and work in duplicate stitch. I started with the nose, working a point-down triangle of 3 rows, then added point-up triangles of 4 rows for eyes.
10. Weave in all ends.