Introduction: Versatile Hat for Pets

Here are my reverse engineered instructions for knitting a fitted hat for your pet. The hat is fitted with holes for ears and a chin strap. There are many ways customize and personalize the hat to create the perfect accessory for your pet.

The hat is knit using the garter stich and assumes that you know the basics of knitting.

This yarn is Paton's Classic Wool in red.


















Step 1: Measure Your Pets Head

Using a tape measure, measure

A - across the top of head from top of ear to top of ear
B- across the top of head from eyebrow to back of neck
C- the circumference of head, from top of head, under the chin, to the top of the head

or if your pet is at home, just start knitting.



Step 2: Cast On


cast on 2 stiches

Make the one triangle
Row 1. slip the first stich purlwise, increase by knitting the back and the front (KFB), knit the back stich, knit the last stich,turn

Row 2. slip the first stich and knit all stiches, turn

Repeat Row 1 and Row 2 until the knitted work is "A' long and is wide enough to cover the top of your dogs' head.




Step 3: Making the First Ear Hole

Make the ear hole:
Slip the first stich purl wise, knit 5 stiches, cast off until 6 stiches left on needle. Knit the remaining 6 stiches. Turn work. Count the number of stiches that were cast off. The cast off stiches are one side of the ear hole.

Slip the first stich purl wise, knit next 5 stiches, cast on stiches to make the other side of the ear hole. Knit remaining 6 stiches.


Step 4: Shaping the Top

Slip the first stich purlwise, knit to end of row,turn
Repeat 6 rows.

The top is shaped with short rows.

Slip first stich, knit until 6 stiches remain on needle. Leaving the 6 stiches on the other needle, turn work and knit to end of row, turn.

Slip first stich, knit to end of row, turn.

Slip first stich, knit until 6 stiches remain on needle. Leaving the 6 stiches on the other needle, turn work and knit to end of row, turn.

Slip first stich, knit to end of row, turn.

Slip first stich, knit all stiches on row until about 1" from the top of the other ear.

Slip first stich, knit until 6 stiches remain on needle. Leaving the 6 stiches on the other needle, turn work and knit to end of row, turn.

Slip first stich, knit to end of row, turn.

Slip first stich, knit until 6 stiches remain on needle. Leaving the 6 stiches on the other needle, turn work and knit to end of row, turn.


Step 5: Making the 2nd Ear Hole and Make the 2nd Triangle

Slip the first stich purl wise, knit 5 stiches, cast off until 6 stiches left on needle. Knit the remaining 6 stiches. Turn work. Count the number of stiches that were cast off. The cast off stiches are one side of the ear hole.

Slip the first stich purl wise, knit next 5 stiches, cast on stiches to make the other side of the ear hole. Knit remaining 6 stiches.

Slip the first stich, knit two together, knit remaining stiches, turn
Repeat until there are two stiches left. Bind off.

Step 6: Finish the Hat

Weave in the yarn ends. Try the hat on your dog and slip the dog's ears through the earholes. If the triangles are long enough to meet under the dog's chin, sew on snaps or Velcro to keep the hat. If the hat isn't quite long enough, add some ties to the bottom of the triangles.

Decoration ideas include pompoms, flowers, faux antlers. Have Fun!

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