This Free knitting pattern currently wins the prize for the most unusual request we have, had to knit to date. It was designed as a christmas present for a Bee enthusiast and the hat comes complete with a sting at the back which could be removed if so desired.
The use of multiple colours and shaping in this hat, makes it ideally a project for a more experienced knitter. (The striking colours when half knitted did help inspire our beekeeper memory stick accessory though, which is suitable for less experienced knitters and just as much fun adding facial expressions). If you are not someone who works their ends in as they go along, there are plenty of ends to sew in at the end.
Please note that the description of this free knitting pattern is clear of all puns about being “a hive of activity” or “earning your stripes” whilst knitting it or “Bee cosy in this hat”, although we could not resist entirely so have limited them to this one sentence.
Requirements:
1x 100g Yellow yarn 1x 100g Black yarn 1x 25g White yarn. Small amount of toy filling or quilt padding 1 pair of 3.25mm (size 10) knitting needles. 1 pair of 4mm (size 8) knitting needles. Needle for embroidering features and sewing up. 2 Press lock eyes (optional; can be sewn on instead.) 4 mm Crochet Hook
Main Hat: (make 1 piece)
Using black yarn and 4mm needles, cast on 111 sts Rib row 1: K1 [P1, K1] repeat to end Rib row 2: P1 [K1, P1] repeat to end Work rib row 1 and 2 a further 4 times then work rib row 1 once more (11 rows worked in total) Next row: P5, M1, [P3, M1] 11 times, P11, M1, [P3, M1] 11 times, P5 (135 sts) Change to 4mm needles. Set stripes as follows: K5Y, K5B, K5Y, K5B, K5Y, K5B, K5Y, K5B, K5Y, K5B, K35Y, K5B, K5Y, K5B, K5Y, K5B, K5Y, K5B, K5Y K5B, K5Y Continue in stocking stitch and keeping the stripes as set until 24 rows have been worked ending with a Purl row. To shape top:
Row 1: Keeping the stripes as set [K2, K2tog K1, K5] 5times, [K2tog, K3] 7times, [K7, K2tog, K1] 5times. (118 sts). Note: The decreases should all be on yellow stripes. Row 2 and every alternate row: Keeping stripes as set purl to end Row 3: Keeping stripes as set knit to end Row 5: Keeping stripes as set knit to end Row 7: [K7, K2tog] 6 times, [K4, k2tog] twice, [K7, K2tog] 5times, Knit to end (105 sts) Note: With the exception of those on the centre panel, the decreases should be on black stripes. Row 9: Keeping stripes as set knit to end Row 11: Keeping stripes as set knit to end Row 13: [K6 K2tog ]6 times [K4 k2tog] twice, [K6, K2tog] 5times, K to end (92 sts) Note: With the exception of those on the centre panel, the decreases should all be on black stripes. Row 15: K5Y, K1B, K5Y, K1B, K5Y, K1B, K5Y, K1B, K5Y, K1B, K32Y, K1B, K5Y, K1B, K5Y, K1B, K5Y, K1B, K5Y, K1B, K5Y
Row 17: [K5, K2tog] 13 times, K1. (79 sts) Row 19: Keeping stripes as set knit to end Row 21: [K4, K2tog] 13 times, K1. (66 sts) Row 23: Keeping stripes as set knit to end Row 25: [K3, K2tog] 13 times, K1. (53 sts) Row 27: [K2, K2tog] 13 times, K1. (40 sts) Note: Keep pattern as set except for working first and last 4 sts of central panel in black. Row 29: [K1, K2tog] 13 times, K1. (27 sts) Note: Keep pattern as set except working entire central panel in black. Row 30: Change to black yarn and purl to end Row 31: [K2tog] 13 times, K1. (14 sts) Row 32: [P2 tog] repeat to end. (7 sts)
White face: (make 1 piece)
Using white yarn and 4mm needles, cast on 12 sts
Row 1 and every alternate row: Purl to end Row 2: [M1] repeat to end (24 sts) Row 4: [K1, M1] repeat to end (36 sts) Row 6: Knit to end Row 8: Knit to end Row 10: Knit to end Row 12: Knit to end Row 14: Knit to end Row 16: [K2, K2tog] repeat to end (27 sts) Row 18: [K1, K2tog] repeat to end (18 sts) Row 20: [K2tog] repeat to end (9 sts)
Break off yarn, leaving an end. Thread the end through the remaining stitches, draw up tightly and secure.
Black neck:(make 1 piece)
Using black yarn and 4 mm needles, cast on 12 sts
Row 1 and every alternate row: Purl to end Row 2: [M1] repeat to end (24 sts) Row 4: [K1, M1] repeat to end (36 sts) Row 6: [K2, M1] repeat to end (48 sts) Row 8: Knit to end Row 10: Knit to end Row 12: Knit to end Row 14: Knit to end Row 16: Knit to end Row 18: [K3, K2tog] repeat to last 3 sts, K3. (39 sts) Row 20: [K2, K2tog] repeat to last 3 sts, K1, K2tog. (29 sts) Row 22: [K1, K2tog] repeat to last 2 sts, K2tog. (19 sts) Row 24: [K2tog] repeat to last st, K1. (10 sts)
Sting (make 1 piece; optional)
Using black yarn and 4mm needles, cast on 7 sts.
Work in stocking stitch for 2cm ending with a purl row. Shape tip: Row 1: S1, K1, PSSO, K3, K2 tog (5 sts) Row 2: Purl to end Row 3: Knit to end Row 4: Purl to end Row 5: K1, S1, K2tog, PSSO, K1 (3 sts) Row 6: Purl to end Row 7: Knit to end Row 8: Purl to end Row 9: K3tog (1 st) Row 10: Purl to end Row 11: Knit to end Row 12: Purl to end
Cast off. Antennae (make 2 pieces) Using black yarn and 4 mm crochet hook, create a string of 13 chains. Make 3 treble crochets looping back into chain number 10 to form the top of the antennae. Fasten off and secure. Break thread leaving a long end. Using the end at the top of the antennae feed the yarn back down the chains on the stem of the antennae to strengthen it.
To make up
Secure and sew in all the ends. Join the back seam of hat. Partially join the side seam on the white face and lightly pad to make a flattish disc. Firmly secure eyes, and sew the facial features onto one side. If plastic eyes are not being used, simply sew eyes onto the face instead). Close the remaining seam.
Partially join the side seam on the black neck and very lightly pad to make a flattish disc. Attach the white face to the black neck and firmly secure the antennae between the head and the neck. Attach the neck to the central yellow panel on the hat; for best results stitch from the hat through the neck and into the white head but take care to ensure none of the stitches show on the outside. Once securely attached, sew up the remaining black neck seam.
Fold up the rib at the bottom of the hat and secure in place. Attach the sting (if required) to the ribbing at the back of the hat so that the pointed tip of the sting points centrally down the back of the neck.
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