how do you knit a hat using circular needles?

Question

i've been knitting for a few years now (just scarves) and i wanted to know how to knit a hat. i have circular needles and i was hoping someone could tell me.

thanks!

Answer 1

It depends on the pattern (whether it's "top down" or "bottom up"). Either way, you'll probably need a set of double pointed needles. When the hat is being made, it isn't always going to be able to fit on the circular needles.



You'll have to start by knitting in a round. This is different than scarf (or normal) knitting. You'll have to connect the last stitch with the first stitch of the row. You also won't switch from RS to WS every row like with regular knitting. You'll always be on the right side. For example, to do garter stitch, instead of just knitting every row, you'll have to alternate between a knit row and a purl row. I hope that makes sense. If you've never knitted in a round, I suggest you practice on the circular needles until you get the hang of it because knitting something like a hat can be very tricky. This is because you'll be using double pointed needles along with circular needles.



I'll explain it as if you were going to make a hat from the top down. To start out, you'll need to put a few stitches on three double pointed needles and knit in a round. Just divide the total number by three (put a third of the stitches on each double pointed needle) and place a stitch marker at the beginning of the row so you know where each row starts. You'll have to increase every row by a few stitches. Work on the double pointed needles until you have enough stitches to have the hat to fit on the circular needles. Once you have that, you can bind off or do whatever else you'd like to do (like earflaps or whatever).



All of this sounds confusing, but once you get the hang of it, it's not that bad. I've only knitted for less than four years and I'm a pro at circular and double pointed needles. I also have made lots of hats for my friends!



If you need help to learn how to knit in a round go here:

http://knitting.about.com/od/knittingskills/qt/circularbasics.htm



You can find many hat patterns online. Just have fun and experiment. Don't be afraid to mess up since that's the way you learn how to fix your mistakes (hahaha).



Good luck!

Answer 2

You can indeed knit a hat on circular needles.



Google "magic loop method'. It sounds complicated but is actually VERY easy to do. You will never have to use circular needles again. The trick is to get a long circular needle, longer than the width of your hat. ( I usually go with 36" up).



I would start from the bottom of the hat and go up.



Hope that helps!

Answer 3

lionbrand.com have plenty of free patterns for hats. Just log on and they are available to you. You can get patterns that start at the top of the hat, but most popular are the ones starting with the brim of the hat and decreasing to the top of the hat. I prefer that one myself. With circular needles, you dont need to turn your work around. you always work with the right side facing you.

google "knitted hats" and see what comes up. you'll be amazed.

Answer 4

When I make hats with circular needles I put a marker on the last st. I put on. Then I proceed in my knit patteren until I come to that marker and when I get to the marker I continue to knit in patteren. Of course I put the marker on the other side of the needle and continue on. Hope this helps you.

Answer 5

There is an easier way to make a hat using these

circles looms. I used one to make a hat for a

baby. These looms come in different sizes and

is sold in a package. You can buy them at

Wal-Mart, Hobby Lobby and Michael's.

Answer 6

Go to knittinhelp.com and view the videos for advanced-techniques. They cover all the bases.