Book of Patterns
Featuring specially designed patterns from Susan B. Anderson, Judith Durant and Melissa Morgan Oakes.
a word from volunteer services
Several winters ago, Robin Armstrong, Director of Volunteer Services at Arkansas Children’s Hospital, began
noticing that many of our patients were leaving the hospital and heading out into the cold weather without
anything covering their heads. Our department is privileged to have the support of many needlework volunteers,
so we decided to focus on one thing – HATS! We wanted hats of all shapes, colors and sizes. So, the Knitting for
Noggins program was created in 2006. Hats began arriving as word spread about the program – and we had
volunteers and employees standing at our hospital entrances ensuring that every child (and adult) that left the
hospital had a warm head!
Now that we are celebrating our 3rd year of Knitting for Noggins, we would like to present you with this book
of patterns to show our appreciation. Thank you for warming the heads and hearts of our patients and families.
Arkansas Children’s Hospital is a place of care, love and hope – and by donating hats, you are helping spread this
care, love and hope. What a difference you are making!
To learn more about our wonderful hospital, please visit us at archildrens.org.
Robin Armstrong, Melissa Wolfe and Sandy Burrow
Volunteer Services
Arkansas Children’s Hospital
KnittingForNoggins.org
Attention knitting and crocheting authors! We would like to have your hat patterns included in the next edition of our
book. For more information on how to be included, please send an e-mail to us at [email protected].
Index
index
• helicopter hat
Susan B. Anderson
2
• bunny tail
Susan B. Anderson
6
• flower hat
Susan B. Anderson
8
• child’s beanie
Judith Durant
10
• taconic cabled hat
Melissa Morgan Oakes
12
Helicopter Hat
by Susan B. Anderson
helicopter hat
When Robin Armstrong contacted me about this wonderful charity hat knitting event, I was honored to design and write a hat pattern for Arkansas Children’s
Hospital. I started working with Knitting for Noggins in the fall of 2006 and it has been
going strong ever since. Knitting for Noggins has collected over 71,000 hats to date.
This is an astounding number.
Robin told me she had been trying to come up with a way to knit
a helicopter hat. I said I wasn’t sure I would make a helicopter hat for
the design, but I would be sure to come up with something cute!
In fact, I originally knitted a different hat for ACH, but that helicopter idea
stuck in my head. Then as I watched my four kids fishing off a pier one
beautiful sunny August day, I knitted this helicopter hat. It was such a
peaceful setting that I became overwhelmed with happiness as I knit
that little hat. The helicopter hat is pure fun, and I knew it was meant to
be for Knitting for Noggins! I hope that gives peace and happiness to its
recipients and families.
size
Newborn (0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years)
yarn
Rowan All Seasons Cotton (60% Cotton, 40% Acrylic/microfibre; 90m/50 grams) 1 skein each in #182 Bleached, #192
Iceberg, #197 Limedrop, #216 Citron GGH Samoa (50% Cotton, 50% Acrylic; 104m/50grams) 1 skein in #98 Red
tools
• 16-inch circular needles, US size 7 or size to obtain gauge
• Set of 4 double-pointed needles, US size 7 or size to obtain gauge
• Set of 2 double-pointed needles, US size 3
• Yarn needle
• Stitch marker
TIP: Remember, you can always substitute the yarns for any worsted
• Ruler
weight yarn. Of course, you can leave out the stripes and use only one
• Pipe cleaner
color to make it even easier and less expensive.
gauge
5 stitches per inch
--
hat pattern
With Citron and circular needles, cast on using the long tail method. Cast on 64 (72, 80, 88) stitches. The following
steps are to begin knitting in the round:
Step 1: Spread the stitches out around the circular needle with the first and last stitches meeting at the
points of the needles.
Step 2: Place a stitch marker to show the beginning of the round by slipping a stitch marker on your right
needle before you begin knitting.
Step 3: Most importantly be careful the stitches are not twisted on the circular needles before you make that
first stitch connecting the ends. You only have to worry about this one time before you connect the circle together. After this first stitch you don’t have to think about twisted stitches again.
Step 4: Join to make a circle by knitting into the first stitch on the left needle. Continue knitting every stitch to the
end of the round.
Continue knitting every round for 1½ inches from the beginning. Next, begin the stripe pattern and continue in
the stripe pattern to the end of the hat. Note: If you are making a one color hat, skip the stripe pattern and knit every
round to the desired length listed below, then begin the decrease sequence.
stripe pattern:
Knit 5 rounds of each color in this order:
• Iceberg
• Limedrop
• Red
• Citron
• Repeat
Continue in stripe pattern, beginning with Iceberg, until the hat measures 5½ (6, 6½, 7) inches from the
beginning. When you reach the desired length for the size hat you are making you are ready to begin the
decrease sequence.
decrease sequence:
Round 1: Knit 6 stitches, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat to the end of the round. 56 (63, 70, 77) stitches remain.
Round 2: Knit 5 stitches, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat to the end of the round. 48 (54, 60, 66) stitches remain.
Round 3: Knit all stitches.
Round 4: You will begin knitting with the double-pointed needles. You switch to double-pointed needles to
knit in the round on a small number of stitches. Do this by knitting directly onto 3 of the double-pointed needles
as follows:
Needle 1: Knit 4 stitches, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat 3 (3, 3, 4) times. 15 (15, 15, 20) stitches are on first needle.
Needle 2: Knit 4 stitches, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat 3 (3, 3, 4) times. 15 (15, 15, 20) stitches are on
second needle.
Needle 3: Knit 4 stitches, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat 2 (3, 4, 3) times. 10 (15, 20, 15) stitches are on the
third needle. 40 (45, 50, 55) total stitches remain.
--
Use the fourth or the free double-pointed needle to knit onto for the following rounds.
Round 5: Knit all stitches.
Round 6: Knit 3 stitches, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat to the end of the round. 32 (36, 40, 44) stitches remain.
Rounds 7 & 8: Knit all stitches.
Round 9: Knit 2 stitches, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat to the end of the round. 24 (27, 30, 33) stitches remain.
Round 10: Knit all stitches.
Round 11: Knit 1 stitch, knit 2 stitches together. Repeat to the end of the round. 16 (18, 20, 22) stitches remain.
Round 12: Knit 2 stitches together. Repeat to the end of the round. 8 (9, 10, 11) stitches remain.
Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail and thread onto yarn needle. Thread each stitch onto the yarn needle and off the
knitting needles. Pull tail through remaining stitches. Pull tight to completely close ring. Secure on inside of the
hat by tying a knot and weaving in the end through several stitches. Trim the excess yarn close to hat. Weave in
the end at the brim of hat along the cast on edge so it is hidden in the roll.
helicopter top
propellers:
With Bleached and 2 double-pointed needles in US size 3, used as straight needles, cast on 10 stitches. Work
back and forth on the needles as follows: Knit 1 stitch, slip 1 stitch as if to purl and with the yarn held in the back.
Repeat every row like this until the propeller measures 2 inches from the beginning. Cut the yarn, leaving a 6-inch
tail and thread on a yarn needle. Take the stitches off the needle and separate the stitches by gently squeezing the
piece into a tube. Thread the yarn needle through the stitches and gently pull the tail through the stitches, but do
not tighten up. At this point turn the propeller inside out so the knit stitch is on the outside. Now gather up the
top by pulling the tail tight, and take a couple of stitches to create a slight crease. Set aside. Repeat this to make a
second propeller.
stem:
With Limedrop and 2 double-pointed needles in US size 3, cast on 4 stitches. Make an I-cord for 2 inches. Cut a
long tail, at least 12 inches, and pull up tight through the last stitch. Sew the propellers on to the cast on end of the
I-cord. Have one crease facing up and the other crease facing down. This will give the appearance of motion to
the propellers. Next, bend a pipe cleaner in half. Push the bent end of the pipe cleaner inside of the I-cord all the
way up to the propellers. Cut the pipe cleaner ends off leaving ¼-inch sticking out of the I-cord. Now bend these
ends up tight on the outside of the I-cord. Thread the long tail onto a yarn needle and sew the I-cord to the top of
the hat, right on the center ring, do not tie off.
Remove the yarn needle and use the tail to tightly wrap the I-cord, going up to the propellers and all the way back
down to the hat, being sure to cover and secure the pipe cleaner ends. At this point, place the tail on a yarn needle
and pull through to the inside of the hat and secure.
--
bobble:
With red and 2 double-pointed needles, US size 3, used as straight needles, cast on 1 stitch loosely, leaving a 2-inch
tail. Knit in the front and back of this stitch until there are 5 stitches on the right needle.
Knit 1 row.
Purl 1 row.
Knit 1 row and do not turn. With the stitches on the right needle, pass over the 2nd, 3rd, 4th, and 5th stitches over
the first stitch. Cut the yarn leaving a 6-inch tail, and pull through the remaining stitch. Place tail on a yarn needle.
Form into a ball and stuff with the 2-inch tail from the cast on. Gather up the edges to close and attach bobble to
the top of the propellers.
--
Bunny Tail
by Susan B. Anderson, Itty Bitty Hats
bunny tail
Babies in hats with ears are the best. I have made hats
with ears added on after the hat is knit, but I wanted to
design a pattern with the ears knit right on. So, I came up with
Bunny Tail. I have knitted this hat in every imaginable way,
including using slightly textured yarns and even stripes. I
always add a tiny pom on the back of the hat for the bunny tail,
but remember that babies nowadays spend most of their time on
their backs. Make sure the pom is teeny-tiny so it won’t bother the
baby. When this hat is knitted in brown with shorter ears, it resembles
a baby bear - with no bunny tail, of course.
skills needed
• Long-tail cast-on
• Knit stitch
• Knitting in the round on circular needles
• Knitting 2 stitches together
• Knitting in the round on double-pointed needles
• Poms
size
Newborn (0-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years)
yarn
• RYC Cashsoft Baby (57% extrafine merino wool/
33% microfiber/10% cashmere; 142 yards/ 50 grams),
1 skein #800 Snowman
tools
• 16-inch circular needles, U.S. size 7 or size needed to obtain gauge
• Set of 4 double-pointed needles, U.S. size 7 or size needed to obtain gauge
• Stitch marker
• Ruler or tape measure
• Scissors
• Yarn needle
• 1 yard ribbon to tie around ears (optional)
gauge
• 5 stitches per inch
--
hat
With circular needles, use the long-tail
method to cast on 64 (72, 80, 88) stitches. Slip
a stitch marker onto the right needle to mark
the beginning of the round. Join to make a
circle for knitting in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Knit every round
until the hat measures 5½ (6, 6½, 7) inches
from the cast-on edge. Next, begin the decrease sequence for the top of the hat.
decrease sequence
Round 1: Knit 6 stitches, knit 2 stitches
together. Repeat to the end of the round. 56
(63, 70, 77) stitches remain.
Round 2: Knit 5 stitches, knit 2 stitches
together. Repeat to the end of the round. 48
(54, 60, 66) stitches remain.
Round 3: Knit all stitches.
ears (each ear is worked separately)
Begin knitting the next round by knitting
onto 3 of the double-pointed needles
as follows:
Needle 1: Knit 7 (7, 8, 9) stitches onto the first needle.
Needle 2: Knit 7 (7, 8, 9) stitches onto the second needle.
Needle 3: Knit 6 (6, 8, 9, 9) stitches onto the third needle.
Now half of the stitches are set to knit on double-pointed needles. Leave the other half of the stitches on the
circular needle for now.
Working with the stitches on the double-pointed needles only, and using the fourth, or free, double-pointed
needle, knit in the round, knitting every round, for 3 inches. Measure from the start of the ear to just below the
needles.
This pattern is made available by Workman Press for use in this charity knitting pattern book and cannot be reproduced for other publications.
--
Flower Hat
by Susan B. Anderson, Itty Bitty Nursery
flower hat
hat
With 12-inch circular needle and Melon, cast on 56 (64,
72, 80) stitches. Place a stitch marker and join, making sure the
stitches aren’t twisted. Work in seed stitch as follows:
Round 1: (k1, p1) to the end of the round.
Round 2: (p1, k1) to the end of the round.
Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 6 rounds of seed stitch have been
completed. Knit every round until the hat measures 4¼ (4¾, 5¼,
6) inches from the beginning. Start the decrease sequence.
decrease rounds
Round 1: (k6, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round. 49(56, 63,
70) stitches remain.
Round 2: (k5, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round.
42 (48, 54, 60) stitches remain.
Round 3: Knit.
Round 4: Transfer work from the circular needle to
three of the double-pointed needles as follows:
Needle 1: (k4, k2tog) 2 (3,3,3) times. 10 (15, 15, 15) stitches
on the first needle.
Needle 2: (k4, k2tog) 2 (3, 3, 3) times. 10 (15, 15, 15) stitches
on the second needle.
Needle 3: (k4, k2tog) 3 (2, 3, 4) times. 15 (10, 15, 20) stitches
on the third needle. 35 (40, 45, 50) stitches remain.
Using the fourth double-pointed needle as the working needle,
continue working the decrease rounds:
Round 5: Knit.
Round 6: (k3, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round. 28 (32, 36, 40)
stitches remain.
Round 7: Knit.
Round 8: (k2, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round. 21 (924, 27, 30)
stitches remain.
--
Round 9 -13: Knit.
Round 14: (k1, k2tog), repeat to the end of the round. 14 (16, 18, 20) stitches remain.
Rounds 15 - 19: Knit.
Round 20: k2tog, repeat to the end of the round. 7 (8, 9, 10) stitches remain.
Rounds 21 - 25: Knit.
Cut the working yarn and thread the tail into a yarn needle. Pull the tail through the remaining stitches. Pull up
tight and weave the end to the inside of the hat. Trim.
flower
Make the petals and center as for the cardigan, and sew center to the petals. Pin the flower into place on the hat,
having one petal slightly overlap the seed stitch border. Sew the flower into place with the long tail from the
petals. Weave in ends.
stem
With two double-pointed needles and Pistachio, cast on 2 stitches. Make I-cord for 15(151/2, 16, 17) inches. Sew
1/2 inch of one end of the cord down with a whipstitch between 2 petals of the flower as in photograph. Thread
the other end of the I-cord into the yarn needle and stitch the cord throught he hat about once every inch,
spiraling the cord around the
hat up toward the point. The
TIP: I always measure I-cord as I go along, laying the cord out on the hat as
stem should make it around the
I would place it when finished. The given measurements can vary slightly
hat once annd come to the front
due to individual knitting tension.
again at the point. Make sure
that the cord has a loose enough tension when threaded throught the hat to allow for stretching. Sew the end of
the cord down at the top point of the hat.
tassel
With Pistachio, make a 1-inch tassel with 10 wraps. Sew this to the top point of the hat and
secure the tassel to the hat so that it stands straight up.
This pattern is made available by Workman Press for use in this charity knitting pattern book and cannot be reproduced for other publications..
--
Child’s Beanie
by Judith Durant, 101 Designer One Skein Wonders
child’s beanie
This simple garter-stitch hat is knit
in the round and has six stripes of three
colors.
size
Child size, approximately 16-inch circumference,
to fit 18 - 19 inch head
yarn
Worsted Weight, approximately 25g of each of
three colors (A, B, and C)
tools
Set of five double-pointed needles in a size to
obtain the correct gauge
gauge
21 stitches = 4 inches in garter stitch
garter stitch in the round
Round1: Knit.
Round 2: Purl.
hat
Cast on 80 stitches with color A and place 20 stitches on each of four double-pointed needles. Join into a round,
being careful not to twist the stitches. Note: Always change colors on a knit round (not a purl round).
Work in color A for 1.25 inches.
Work in color B for 1.25 inches.
Workin in color C for 1.25 inches.
Work in color A for 1.25 inches.
-10-
decrease rounds:
Change to color B. Note: Always decrease on a knit round (not a purl round).
Round 1 (Knit round): *K2tog, K8; repeat from*. You now have 72 stitches.
Round 2 and all even-numbered rounds: Purl.
Round 3: *K2tog, K7; repeat from *. You now have 64 stitches.
Round 5: *K2tog, K6; repeat from *. You now have 56 stitches.
Round 7: *K2tog, K5; repeat from*. You now have 48 stitches.
Change to Color C.
Round 9: *K2tog, K4; repeat from *. You now have 40 stitches.
Round 11: *K2tog,K3; repeat from *. You now have 32 stitches.
Round 13: *K2tog, K2; repeat from *. You now have 24 stitches.
Round 15: *K2tog, K1; repeat from *. You now have 16 stitches.
Round 17: *K2tog, repeat from *. You now have 8 stitches.
finishing
Cut yarn leaving a 10-inch tail. Thread tail onto tapestry needle. Pull through all remaining stitches, draw-stringfashion, twice. Pull tight and fasten off on the inside. Weave in ends.
This pattern is made available by Storey Publishing for use in this charity knitting pattern book and cannot be reproduced for other publications..
-11-
Taconic Cabled Hat
by Melissa Morgan Oakes, 2-at-a-time Socks
taconic cabled hat
I am very happy to asked to be part of this
project. One of my sisters is a cancer survivor,
and during her treatment I knitted chemo caps
for her, praying healing into every stitch. It gave
me something to do when I could do nothing
else. As a Registered Nurse, I know the comfort
patients gain from having something soft and warm and just
for them. Named for a beautiful, peaceful mountain range
that runs from Vermont into Pennsylvania, this cabled hat is a
stylish way to keep heads warm.
size
14 (17, 20) inches in circumference
yarn
Valley Yarns Williamstown, 65% wool/25% acrylic/10% viscose, 1 ball
color #07, or any worsted weight yarn that gets correct gauge.
tools
• U.S. 7 18-inch circular needle
• U.S. 7 double-pointed needles
• Darning needle
• Four Stitch Markers
gauge
20 stitches and 28 rows in 4-inch of stokinette stitch.
hat
Loosely cast on 72 (84, 96) stitches. Join for working in the round, placing a marker between the first and last caston stitch.
Rounds 1 -7: Knit.
Round 8: *Knit 2, yarn over, knit 2 together. Repeat from * to beginning of round.
-12-
Round 9 -15: Knit.
Round 16: Turn picot edge - knit one live stitch on needle together with back loop of first cast on stitch. This joins the two together and creates a finished and turned hem edge for the hat.
Continue in this manner, knitting each successive live stitch
together with it’s previously cast on counterpart until the hem is
completed.
Round 17: Knit.
Round 18: Purl.
Round 19: Knit
Round 20: Purl.
Rounds 21 - 40: Work according to charted cable pattern (chart
to the right) for the next 19 rounds. 6 (7, 8) repeats of the charted
pattern equal one round.
Round 41: Purl.
Round 42: Knit.
Round 43: Purl.
decrease rounds:
The crown is shaped in four equal sections to create a flat top.
Round 44: Knit 7 (8, 9), *ssk, pm, K2tog, Knit 14 (17, 20) rep from *
to last 11 (13, 4) stitches. ssk, pm, K2tog, knit 7 (9, 10).
Round 45: Knit.
From this point, alternate decrease and knit rounds as follows:
Round 1: *Knit to 2 sts before marker, ssk, slip mark, K2tog. Rep from * until four sets of decreases have been
worked, then knit to end of round.
Round 2: Knit all stitches, sliding markers as you come to them.
Continue until 8 (12,8) stitches remain. Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail. Thread this tail onto a darning needle and pull
through all stiches remaining to cinch hat closed.
Run in all loose ends, then block hat.
This pattern is made available by Storey Publishing for use in this charity knitting pattern book and cannot be reproduced for other publications..
-13-
“Yesterday, my daughter visited Arkansas Children’s Hospital again after a check-up at the doctor
indicated that she needed some further testing. As we entered the front door, I made my way to
admissions while her grandma led her to the bridge, one of her favorite places. I was
getting her registered when I heard my 2-year old running toward me yelling and laughing. I
turned around to see her wearing a beautiful yellow knitted cap, beaming from ear to ear, and
full of life. As we made our way through the hospital, she wore her hat proudly. She even showed it
to everyone we saw after we left the hospital. I think that hat has replaced the one she got for
Christmas. Who cares if the gloves don’t match!
I never dreamed that we would need Arkansas Children’s Hospital. Over the last year we have made
several trips there, but it never gets easier. Thanks for making a difficult day a little brighter.”
- Sincerely,
Angela
Jonesboro, Arkansas
KnittingForNoggins.org