The Fastest Hats in the World - Free Knitting Pattern

Well at least The Fastest Hat I Have Ever Knitted!

These hats are finished in a little over an hour.

For me, that is perfect because somehow I have amassed a little stash of yarn again.

Last winter I sent bags and bags and organized bags of yarn to the Dominican Republic for the ladies there that were learning to knit and crochet and somehow similar to the loaves and the fishes, the stash has multiplied again.

(OK, I'll admit that I can't enter a yarn store or craft store

without helping that stash out a little)

So, with a panicked feeling that I can't knit fast enough to use it all up and knowing that I have fallen way behind in the hat, scarf and mitten donation plan this year, I came up with this idea:

Bigger knitting needles = less stitches.

More yarn = more room in the sewing room.

Faster knitting = more warm hats for little and not so little heads that need them.

So...

as in many of my schemes and plans I

CALL DAD!

Checking the prices of really big double pointed needles, I thought..

How hard would these be to make?

And of course, Dad came through and made these wonderful double pointed needles for me.

They are made from 1/2 " dowel rods and are wonderful.

Smooth and perfect.

If you don't have someone that can make them, I found them here.

And now that I have blathered on and on and you are here mainly for the knitting pattern

here goes.

Wait!

One little disclaimer.

I have never written a knitting pattern before so bear with me.

Without further adieu.

The Fastest Hats in My World

Knitting Pattern.

You will need:

Size 50 double pointed knitting needles

At least three balls of yarn.

I am trying to use one chunky, two worsted, or one chunky, a worsted and and a novelty.

Experiment.

It is fun to mix them and see what you come up with.

Youth hat directions are in parentheses.

Cast on 28 (24) stitches.

Divide onto 4 (3) needles and join.

Knit 1, purl 1 ribbing for about 2 inches or about 5 or 6 rounds.

Switch to all knit for about 5 or 6 inches.

Decrease round.

Knit 2, Knit 2 together.

Repeat around 7(6) times.

Knit next row

Knit 1, Knit 2 together

Repeat 7(6) times.

Knit one row.

Remaining stitches, knit 2 together one more row and cut yarn leaving about a 6"tail.

Because I didn't have a yarn needle big enough to hold three strands, I just used a crochet hook to pull the yarn through all the stitches and gather in the top.

Work the ends of the yarn in and you are ready to wear it and stay warm.

These are so fast to make, you might want to consider making some and donating them to your local homeless shelter, rescue mission, Salvation Army or even your local elementary school.

They are always welcome and are put to great use!