Jack-o'-lantern Halloween Hat

Hello knitters! As promised, I bring you the second version of the hat that I designed for this year's Halloween, this time with a row of scary/cute Jack-o'-lanterns + the spider web from the previous hat. It comes in two sizes: for toddlers (2 to 4 years old) and for children under eight years old. I've knit it using baby soft yarn so that it won't bother the wearer. A baby sized hat can also be made from this pattern, but with some adjustments, and though I have not included that size here, I'd be happy to add it if some of you request it. Happy Halloween to you all, and stay safe!

Skill level: Intermediate

Materials:

• Yarn: NAKO Elit Baby, 90% anti-piling acrylic, 10% bamboo, 3.53 oz. (100 g), 263 yards (240 m) approx, in the following colors: Black (60): 1 skein, Carrot (408): 1 skien, and Green (41): few yards(meters).
• Circular knitting needles, 16" (40 cm) long, size US 7 (4.5 mm).
• Double pointed needles (DPNs) set, size US 7 (4.5 mm).
• Tapestry needle.
• Stitch marker.

 Size and measurements:

• Toddler (2- 4 years):  head circumference = 17"- 18" (43- 46 cm), height = 7" (18 cm).
• Child (5- 8 years): head circumference = 19" - 20" (48- 51 cm), height = 8" (20 cm).

Gauge: 20 sts and 26 rounds = 4" x 4" (10 cm x 10 cm) in stockinette stitch.

Yardage: 

• Toddler: 47- 49 yards (43- 45 m). 
• Child: 65- 69 yards (60- 63 m) approx.

Knitting Terms:

• st: stitch.
• sts: stitches.
• k: knit.
• p: purl.
• ssk: slip, slip, knit the two slipped stitches together through back loops.
• s2s1ktog: slip two sts as if to knit them together, slip the third one knit-wise, knit the three sts together through back loops (centered double decrease). You can watch my tutorial video below to learn how to knit this stitch:

Instructions:

 

With black yarn, cast on 72 (80) sts. Join in the round. Don't know how to join in the round? here is a short tutorial on how to do it (from 0:26 - 1:15 min): 

 

Put a ring stitch marker at the beginning of rounds, knit one round, then work as follows:

Ribs round: k 3, p 1, repeat to end.

Repeat the ribs round 5 (6) times. Purl one round.

 

Note: for the child size increase 1 st in the next round. (81) sts

Knit 3 (4) rounds.

 

Using black (B), carrot (C) and green (G) yarns, work the chart from right to left (go to the end of this post). Cut C and G yarns.

 

Knit 3 (4) rounds, purl 1 round. 

 

Note: for the child size, knit one round decreasing 1 st. (80) sts

 

Work as follows:

 

Round: k 11 (15), p 1, repeat to end.

 

Repeat the round 3 (4).

Decreasing rounds:

 

With C yarn, work the next round:

 

Round 1: k 4 (6) s2s1ktog, k 4 (6), p 1, repeat to end.

 

With B and C yarn, work the next two rounds:

 

Rounds 2 and 3: with B yarn k 4 (6), with C yarn k 1, with B yarn k 4 (6), p 1, repeat to end.

Change to DPNs needles. With C yarn, work the next round:

 

Round 4: k 3 (5) s2s1ktog, k 3 (5), p 1, repeat to end. 

 

Rounds 5 and 6: with B yarn k 3 (5), with C yarn k 1, with B yarn k 3 (5), p 1, repeat to end.

 

With C yarn, work the next round:

 

Round 7: k 2 (4) s2s1ktog, k 2 (4), p 1, repeat to end. 

 

Round 8: with B yarn k 2 (4), with C yarn k 1, with B yarn k 2 (4), p 1, repeat to end.

 

With C yarn, work the next round:

 

Round 9: k 1 (3) s2s1ktog, k 1 (3), p 1, repeat to end. 

 

Toddler Size:

 

Cut B yarn. With C yarn work last round:

 

Round 10: s2s1ktog, p 1, repeat to end. (12) sts 

 

Cut yarn leaving a 6" (15 cm) long yarn tail, pull it through all sts and tighten tog. Weave in loose ends. 

 

Child Size:

 

Round 11: with B yarn k 3, with C yarn k 1, with B yarn k 3, p 1, repeat to end, cut B yarn.

 

Round 12: k 2, s2s1ktog, k 2, p 1, repeat to end.

 

Round13: k 5, p 1, repeat to end.

 

Round 14: k 1, s2s1ktog, k 1, p 1, repeat to end. 

 

Round 15: s2s1ktog, p 1, repeat to end. (10) sts 

 

Cut yarn leaving a 6" (15 cm) long yarn tail, pull it through all sts and tighten tog. Weave in loose ends. 

 

Make a 2.5" (6 cm) diameter pompom using black yarn and fix it tight on top.

Lastly, feel free to leave a comment if you have any questions or find something confusing in the pattern.

Happy crocheting/knitting! follow me on Instagram @wiams_crafts and Twitter @wiamscrafts to see my upcoming projects.