Free Hat Patterns!

Don't you love free patterns?  I do.  When I started learning to knit, I would spend hours sitting on the computer and browsing Ravelry, adding things to my favorites and printing out more patterns than I could fit in my 1" 3-ring binder.

This winter I knit quite a few hats, both for my own children and as gifts.  Since I love free patterns so much, i decided to jot down my notes so I could share them with everyone in the Ravelry community.  I personally think hats are a great way to learn to knit in the round and to practice keeping even tension throughout your project.  They are pretty quick to make, and instant gratification is great when you're taking on a new hobby.  It's also a great way to show off hand-painted yarn, especially when you have a couple ounces left from a project.

The first hat that I would like to share is called the 3-Hour Hat.  I whipped these up as a Christmas gift for my childrens' best friends, an 8 and 10-year-old.  It's knit with bulky yarn (the items photographed are made with super-soft Cascade 128 Superwash) with larger needles.  The pattern, as written, should fit from a child to an adult with a small-to-average head (ok, they fit me, and I have a pretty small head).

{download now}

The Simple Beginner Toddler Hat was created for my own children for their Christmas card pictures.  I purchased this gorgeous yarn, a colorway called What's In a Name? by The Yarn Gnome on Hyena Cart.  Megan at the Yarn Gnome is one of my favorite dyers, and this is only one of the many beautiful colorways I have received from her.  As soon as I saw this yarn, dyed on Superwash (washable is always great for kids accessories!), I just knew it had to be matching hats for the kids.  I wanted to write a pattern that would be easy enough for a beginner but could be customized by a more advanced knitter.  I'm so happy with how they came out!

{download now}

Please share your projects on the Ravelry page for each item - I love to see the finished projects!

Licenses, etc.

I am currently licensed for the Legacy Sweater, Something Beautiful Shrug, and Cali Cargo Dress by Dakine Knits, as well as the Keely Hat and Pom Pom Hat by Amanda @ A Beautiful Skye.  I knit Longies and soakers from my own pattern based on your child's measurements.  I am also happy to knit simple hats for all ages.  I purchase pattern licenses upon request if they are a reasonable price, so if you see an item that you like, let me know and I will look into it.

 {Legacy Sweater}

 {Something Beautiful Shrug}

 {Cali Cargo Dress}

 {Keely Hat}

{Pom Pom Hat}

Customs List as of 3/29/11

1. Aime - Cali Cargo Dress (in progress)
2. Katy - Cali Cargo Dress (waiting for trim yarn)
3. Lauren - Photography props (yarn is on the way)
4. Wendy - Charlotte Dress (waiting for measurements)
5. Victoria - 2 Longies
6. Cat

I try to work through items in the order that they are requested, but it also depends on when I receive yarn and measurements for the project.  I usually work on more than one item at a time.  Please allow 4-6 weeks for dresses and other larger projects, 2-4 weeks for longies, 2 weeks for hats and soakers.  I will try to post progress pictures on the blog.  If you need something sooner (like a holiday or birthday item) please let me know as soon as possible.

Feel free to e-mail me at any time with questions about your project: rdsonntag@gmail.com.  I try to respond to all e-mails within twenty-four hours.

I work three days a week outside of the home and I have a 22-month-old daughter and a 4-year-old son.  I spend most of my evenings knitting (usually while I throw in a few loads of laundry) but sometimes life gets in the way.  If I anticipate a delay in finishing your item, I will let you know as soon as possible.

I do live in a house with two dogs and a cat.  I keep all yarn sealed in a zipper bag while it's not being worked on.  The pets do not help me knit but unfortunately, I do come in contact with their fur.  I try to make sure items are fur-free before shipping :)

Welcome!

I'm so excited to be able to share my knitting hobby with more people.  I am currently a knitter for A Beautiful Skye and I also take customs upon request, just e-mail me: rdsonntag@gmail.com.  This blog will be a place to check out items that I'm working on and to keep track of my customs list.  Please check out photos of my previous work below.  I look forward to working with you and thanks for stopping by!