DIY: Knitted Panda Hat

I'm really nervous about this because this is the second time that I am writing a knitting pattern. I will try to be as descriptive wherever I can.

For more advanced knitters, you simply need the chart and insert the face into your favourite beanie pattern. But for knitters who've only just begun to learn how to knit, I've got the pattern written out for you :)

Please be kind to me. If you find any errors, just email me!

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Step 1: Specifications

Needles: 3.00 / 3.50mm DPNs
Yarn: 1 ball of 8 ply white acrylic yarn (MC), 1 ball of 8 ply black 100% wool yarn (CC)
Gauge: What? I don't have time to do swatches. I am an average knitter; I don't knit too tightly or loosely.
Size: It fits my head loosely, which measures about 52cm with the tape across the middle of my forehead. I like a loose beanie because my face/head looks weird in one that fits snugly.

Funnyizbunny says: Jan 16, 2012. 4:23 PM

How many dpns did I use and what size

rei0014 says: Nov 25, 2011. 8:29 PM

hello i love your panda hat!! :D but i have a problem, i only know how to knit in 2 knitting needles, well that's all i have, so is it possible to do this with what i have and can you teach me? :D thanks :DD

angieknitting says: Nov 3, 2011. 5:41 PM

I found casting 152 stitches was too big so I casted only 100 stitches. Then when I began knitting the 1st row I realized that it cannot be (K1, P1). It has to be (K2, P2) in order to get that ribbed edge pattern. Another problem I have is that by knitting every row you don't get the same knitted pattern like you do (stocknette stitch). Also, I saw you are using 3 knitting needles. Does that mean I could have used a circular needle too? Has anyone else encountered these problems? Please let me know..I have so many requests for Christmas this year.

Thanks!

gwenstella (author) says: Nov 7, 2011. 7:02 PM

Hi, I'm sorry that this reply is a little late.

Like I mentioned, I like hats that are not snug, so that's why I casted a couple more stitches on. I gave a reference of my head circumference, so I hope that you can make adjustments as necessary.

This hat is knitted bottom-up. I used DPNs and that's why I was able to achieve the stockinette stitch by simply knitting every round. You can use circular needles, but that means that you will have to change needles when you start decreasing at the top. I think DPNs will be more convenient than circular needles.

Hope this helps! :)

tamiicottonsox says: Sep 21, 2011. 12:24 PM

how many stitches do you cast on? :)

gwenstella (author) says: Sep 23, 2011. 10:24 PM

152 stitches. :)

MeekaMinniee says: Aug 13, 2011. 6:59 PM

Its so cute!!!!!! My heads a bit bigger than yours, so do you think I can add extra stitches to the pattern and it'll still turn out okay? Or will I totally ravage the pattern by doing so?

:P lol, bear with me, still kind of new

gwenstella (author) says: Aug 21, 2011. 6:45 AM

yikes... sorry about the tardy reply!!! erm... well it'll def be ok if u add extra stitches! have u knitted a hat before? but then u need to make calculations of the decreasing stitches... as in when and how much to dec. if not... u can still TRY what i have...

like i said (in my blog post, i think), the hat is pretty loose on my head. do u like a snug or loose fit?

MeekaMinniee says: Aug 28, 2011. 9:11 PM

That's all right. I just went ahead and did the hat with extra stitches, because snug hats look a bit funny on me too :) happy to say it turned out wonderfully. I also added detachable ears so if the pompoms become a bit to much, I can switch to some flatter ones I crocheted. :D Thanks for the pattern!

angelabchua says: May 23, 2011. 12:42 PM

OOOOOH! love this! And im sure the Giants fans out here in SF would totally dig this for the games as the Panda is the unofficial second mascot for the team.

gwenstella (author) says: Jul 29, 2011. 5:53 AM

yikes. i had to google to find out what that was!!! :P