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Little Hats Big Hearts Project - Red Hat 4 Newborns


UPDATE:
PLEASE BE AWARE THAT AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION DOESN'T ACCEPT THESE HATS ANYMORE. INSTEAD, THEY ACCEPT FINANCIAL DONATIONS AND/OR VOLUNTEER HELP. YOU CAN KNIT THESE AS A VALENTINE'S GIFT. ❤️❤️❤️

A couple of months ago, my friend (fabulous and talented Iris) shared a link to the "LITTLE HATS BIG HEARTS" project with me. In it, the AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION asked knitters and crocheters in the US to make red hats for NEWBORN BABIES to raise awareness for "Congenital Heart Defects."
The requested specifics are that yarn needs to be: red, cotton, or acrylic, medium to heavyweight, and machine washable and dryable.
I got excited about this project and decided not only to make these hats, but also to write two patterns for my followers (one for hat knitted in the round, and one for hat knitted on straight knitting needles), and make three videos of hats - one knitted with DPNs, one knitted with circulars and one knitted on straight needles. And on top of that, these three videos for right-handed edit also for left-handed knitters (total six videos).
Although I am not very strong in the English style of knitting, I included a few times both versions - the Continental style of knitting and English too.

For the two hats knitted either with DPNs or circular needles, you need to know how to knit in the round. The hat knitted on straight needles is more comfortable to knit, but then you have to deal with a seam. However, all you need to know, to knit these hats, is how to cast on, how to knit and purl, how to bind off, and for hat knitted flat also how to sew or crochet the two side seams together.

I know it is already February, and hospitals may not accept hats anymore (please check either with your local hospital OR with American Heart Association if they are still accepting hats in your area). However, you could make a newborn hat with hearts for Valentine's baby, or for your family member or a friend that will be Mom soon.

This hat is not only great for spreading awareness about "Congenital Heart Defects," but also just for giving a hat with heart - also a meaning for LOVE. And while you are reading this, please, check out my "SHAKEN BABY SYNDROME PURPLE HAT" post - which I wrote a while back about another so much needed awareness. There is a free written pattern, plus links to videos for right-handed and left-handed knitters. Spread the love, and spread the wisdom you learn from reading educational articles online (click on the provided links throughout this article).

Thank you all.

BELOW ARE LINKS FOR THE SIX VIDEOS - FOR RIGHTIES AND LEFTIES: 

CLICK HERE FOR HAT #1 KNITTED ON DPNs FOR RIGHTIES
CLICK HERE FOR HAT #1 KNITTED ON DPNs FOR LEFTIES

CLICK HERE FOR HAT #2 KNITTED ON CIRCULARS FOR RIGHTIES
CLICK HERE FOR HAT #2 KNITTED ON CIRCULARS FOR LEFTIES
In these two videos, you will see a good demonstration of using a so-called "magic loop" while knitting with circular needles.

CLICK HERE FOR HAT #3 KNITTED ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES FOR RIGHTIES
CLICK HERE FOR HAT #3 KNITTED ON STRAIGHT NEEDLES FOR LEFTIES


Abbreviations:
CO - cast on
DPN - double pointed needles
K - knit
P - purl
M - marker
K2tog - knit 2 stitches together
BO - bind off by pulling yarn through remaining sts
sl sts - slip stitches

Gauge:
My gauge corresponds to a manufacturer's gauge on any yarn label

Materials (if you shop online via my affiliated links below, I would get few pennies, which would help to fund my future projects TXS):
Michaels online store, OR Hobby Lobby, OR Jo-Ann Fabrics, OR Walmart 
Yarn - any washable red, acrylic, medium weight (#4, worsted) - see below which ones I used
Knitting needles - all these hats were knitted on same sized needles: US #7 (4.5mm)
Hook - I used 4mm hook
Yarn Needle (for weaving in the tail, optional)
Scissors

Size:
Circumference: 12"-13"
Height: 5"


HAT #1 - KNITTED ON DPNs - about 1/4 ball of yarn by Loops & Threads, Impeccable; medium worsted #4; color Cherry; 100% acrylic
&
HAT #2 - KNITTED ON CIRCULARS - about 1/4 ball of yarn by Red Heart, Super Saver; medium worsted #4; color Hot Red; 100% acrylic

HAT #1

HAT #2


Step-by-Step:

CO 54 sts on long needles (4.5 mm)

Row 1              knit the first row of ribbing as such: *(K1, P1)* - repeat to end; then distribute stitches evenly among 3 DPNs (18-18-18 sts on each needle), OR move your sts onto your circular knitting needles; then join into circle (make sure stitches are not twisted when joining)
Rnd 2-8           *(K1, P1)* - repeat 27x in each row
Rnd 9-11          K54, in 11th round place M every 9 sts
Rnd 12-13        *[K4, P1, K4]* - 6x
Rnd 14-15        *[K3, P3, K3]* - 6x
Rnd 16-17        *[K2, P5, K2]* - 6x
Rnd 18-19        *[K1, P7, K1]* - 6x
Rnd 20-21        *[K1, P3, K1, P3, K1]* - 6x
Rnd 22             *[K2, P1, K3, P1, K2]* - 6x
Rnd 23-26         K54 - remove your M
Rnd 27              *[K4, K2tog]* - 9x
Rnd 28              K45
Rnd 29              *[K3, K2tog]* - 9x
Rnd 30              K36
Rnd 31              *[K2, K2tog]* - 9x
Rnd 32              K27
Rnd 33              *[K1, K2tog]* - 9x

You will have 18 sts left on your needles - elongate your last knitted stitch by pulling it and pull it through remaining stitches with a hook. Make a knot, and weave in your tails on the inside of your hat.


HAT #3 - KNITTED ON STRAIGHT KNITTING NEEDLES - about 1/4 ball of yarn by Caron, Simply Soft; medium worsted #4; color Autumn Red; 100% acrylic

HAT #3


Step-by-Step:

CO 54 sts on long needles (4.5 mm)

Row 1-8           *(K1, P1)* - repeat 27x in each row
Rnd 9               K54
Rnd 10             P 54
Rnd 11             K54
Rnd 12             P 54
Rnd 13            *[K4, P1, K4]* - 6x
Rnd 14            *[P4, K1, P4]* - 6x
Rnd 15            *[K3, P3, K3]* - 6x
Rnd 16            *[P3, K3, P3]* - 6x
Rnd 17            *[K2, P5, K2]* - 6x
Rnd 18            *[P2, K5, P2]* - 6x
Rnd 19            *[K1, P7, K1]* - 6x
Rnd 20            *[P1, K7, P1]* - 6x
Rnd 21            *[K1, P3, K1, P3, K1]* - 6x
Rnd 22            *[P1, K3, P1, K3, P1]* - 6x
Rnd 23             *[K2, P1, K3, P1, K2]* - 6x
Rnd 24             P 54 - remove your M
Rnd 25             K54
Rnd 26             P 54
Rnd 27             *[K4, K2tog]* - 9x
Rnd 28             P45
Rnd 29             *[K3, K2tog]* - 9x
Rnd 30             P36
Rnd 31             *[K2, K2tog]* - 9x
Rnd 32             P27
Rnd 33             *[K1, K2tog]* - 9x

You will have 18 sts left on your needles - elongate your last knitted stitch by pulling it and insert it through the remaining stitches with a hook. Make a knot, sew or crochet your sides together and weave in your tails on the inside of your hat. If you will crochet your sides (see the video knitting with straight needles) use sl sts - do not crochet with single crochet stitches, it would be too thick.

Donated hats - thank you Iris for the idea and hats!


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Note: Most of the time I work as fast as I can to keep up with knitting and crocheting requests. I have to videotape, edit videos, then convert them & upload them to my channel. After that often I post on my blog patterns. I answer many questions, which means that often I work up to 16 hours a day. I would tremendously appreciate IF anyone of you who finds an error in the written pattern, so please, let me know - where (what rows) and what may be the problem. Many future knitters & crocheters from our artsy and crafty virtual world will thank you for your good deed, including myself.