Knitted Hats With Toppers

Why are you attracted to the independent yarn store when the large mega craft stores offer such an array of yarns and frequently post sale prices?  For me it is the promise of discovery, the opportunity to find an unusual yarn, a knitted or crocheted sweater. scarf or hat.  These pieces that are constructed by the owners show me what I can do with my unusual find.  On my last trip I discovered the Chunky Blossom Yarn and a basket full of Top This packages. IN my last post I knit up the Chunky Blossom Cardigan.  I still wanted another small project because of my busy schedule, taking care of my husband and babysitting for my granddaughter.  The sets of TOP THIS by DMC Creative World each consisted of a ball of 3 continusous textured yarns, just enough to make a baby or child's hat.  What was unusual was  a adorable animal head that would be attached to the completed beanie.

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I selected a black, white, and black-white varigated skein with a panda for the the animal topper.  The directions on the back side of the wrapper were easy to follow.  They called for a 16inch #9 circular needle with double tips to finish off the crown.  After the cast on I knit approximately 2 inches of 1x1rib and followed with stockinette stitch.  the spiral crown called for decreases until I reached the closing.  The turquoise and purple owl hat was made for the infant.

Neither of these hats was the right size for my granddaughter.  the panda hat was too large, and the owl hat was too small.  However, I had a sizable scrap from the Chunky Blossom Sweater.  I increased the number of cast on stitches and added rows to the height of the hat.  Since I did not have a stuffed animal head for the head, I created my own.  I crocheted a small teddy bear head with a G hook and added a bow over one ear of the bear. If you have double pointed needles, you can knit the ball.   The hat matched the sweater perfectly.  I knew that I had a wonderful accessory for future sweaters.  For inspiration on head designs, look for lovey designs on Pinterest.  For a one year old, I did not want to make the head too big and only increased to 30 stitches.  I made the head a bit shorter than the lovey head as I did not want the hat to be too top-heavy. 

The DMC Corporation has come up with a wonderful idea for hats that would make any boy or girl smile.  For the knitter or crocheter, beanie styles are endless.  "Top This" has their own copyrighted designs. These toppers are made with a plush fabric, and the facial features are fixed with a sewing machine.  However, the knitter can use his/her own creativity to come up with original animal, floral, or superhero pieces to sew on top of a hat.  As a matter of fact these hats can be a great use of scrap yarn with two solid shades and one varied band.  My tiny infant beanies have flowers on top of the crown.