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Wednesday, June 18, 2008

International Cat Hat: USA

The Tilden Park Scarf is an easy ruffled and ruched infinity scarf that adds a feminine touch to any outfit.


Nothing says America more than Lady Liberty herself! Just in time for the 4th of July, this pattern includes not only a Statue of Liberty cat hat, but a also a mini torch cat toy.

Don't forget to check out my other free patterns listed on the sidebar!




Materials
• 25 yards of worsted weight yarn for the hat. I used Cascade 220.
• 7 yards of worsted weight, feltable wool for the cat toy in main color (torch), 3 yards of worsted weight feltable wool for the contrasting color (flame)
• 1 pair of US size 7, 16 inch circular needles, OR needle size needed to achieve gauge. US size 7 DPNs may also be used instead of circular needles.
• 4 US size 7 DPNs
• 1 pair of US size 2 needles
Row counter
• Tapestry needle


Special Skills Needed
• Knitting in the round
• Knitting i-cord
• Felting
• Whip stitch

Gauge
• 6 stitches = 1 inch on US size 7 needles in stockinette stitch

Finished Measurements
Finished hat circumference is 10 inches, but it is very stretchy. Greaseball's face circumference is 12 inches and the hat fits him just right.

Abbreviations
[ ] repeat instructions between brackets
bo bind off
cc contrasting color
co cast on
k knit
k2tog knit two stitches together
kfb knit through the front loop without dropping the stitch from the needle, and then knit through the back loop and drop the stitch
ktbl knit through the back loop
m1 make one stitch
mc main color
rnd round(s)
sts stitch(es)

Directions for hat
Using the US size 7 needles, CO 56 sts. Join to knit in the round.

rnd 1-5: [ktbl, p3] repeat until end of round
rnd 6: k all sts

rnd 7: BO 7, slip 12 purlwise, BO 6, slip 6 purlwise, BO 6, slip 12 purlwise, BO 7. You can leave the slipped stitches on the needles, or place them on stitch holders.

For points
There are 5 points on this hat. Each point starts with 6 of the slipped stitches (the 12 slipped stitches will be two points). The points are knit in a tight gauge in garter stitch so they will hold their shapes.

rows 1-3: knit 6 stitches using US size 2 needles. Turn.
row 4: k1, k2tog, k until end of row. Turn. (5 sts)
rows 5-7: k all sts. Turn.
row 8: k1, k2tog, k until end of row. Turn. (4 sts)
rows 9-11: k all sts. Turn.
rows 12: k1, k2tog, k until end of row. Turn (3 sts)
rows 13-15: k all sts. Turn.
row 16: k1, k2tog, k until end of row. Turn. (2 sts)
rows 17-19: k all sts. Turn.
row 20: k2tog. Cut yarn and leave a 6 inch tail.

Repeat 4 more times for remaining points.

Finishing for hat
Weave in all ends.

Directions for torch
In mc (grey) and using US size 7 DPNs, CO 6 sts.

rows 1-15: knit i-cord
Divide sts into 3 DPNs, 2 sts per needle, and join to knit in the round.
rnd 16: k all sts
rnd 17: [k1, m1, k1] 3 times
rnd 18: k all sts
rnd 19: [k1, m1, k until 1 sts remains on needle, m1, k1] 3 times
rnd 20: k all sts
rnd 21-26: Repeat rnds 19-20 3 times. (21 sts)
rnd 27: BO all sts.

In cc (yellow) and using US size 7 DPNs, CO 1 slip knot. This is the torch's flame.

row 1: kfb. Turn. (2 sts)
row 2: k all sts. Turn.
row 3: kfb, kfb. Turn. (4 sts)
row 4: k all sts. Turn.
row 5: kfb, k2, kfb. Turn. (6 sts)
row 6: k all sts
row 7-9: knit i-cord for 3 rounds.
row 10: BO all sts. Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail.

Finishing for torch
Whip stitch together the flame to the inside cup of the torch, where the torch starts to increase. Weave in all ends.

Felt the torch. A bowl of sudsy water and a potato masher are my felting tools of choice.

After the torch is dried, I put a pinch of catnip into the torch's cup and rubbed it in to make it even more irresistible to my drug loving cats.

If you make this, I'd love to hear from you and see pictures of your patriotic cat!

http://spindlesandspices.blogspot.com


This work is licensed under a Creative Commons License.

21 comments:

  1. Oh. my. word. The Thai hat was cute--the fez was cuter--but this! This is one of the cutest things ever!

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  2. THIS ONE IS AWESOME!!!

    The color of the cat and his kntted goods are just PERFECT!!!

    How long would it take one to knit this puppy up?

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  3. *snort* You sure keep the laughs coming - Greasy makes an awesome Liberty Lady.

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  4. I love it! but I have a question. When your cat sees you coming with yarn does he run for his life? Do you own both model cats? They are certainly beautiful! Thank you again for such a cute pattern.

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  5. I'm TOTALLY captivated!

    Knitted a muumuu for Kukka-Maria a couple of years ago, but these are BRILLIANT!

    Way to go! I'll be sure to post pics when I finish. I'm just not sure which international hat to start first!

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  6. I love the series of cat hats so far but I think this one may be the best!

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  7. Awesome, Flick would hate this lol

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  8. Ha! His ears make 2 extra points on the crown - I love it!

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  9. There he is...the king of composure. Wearing a liberty crown and having a torch to bear while looking completely cool and very into the photo session is more than I could handle.

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  10. I'm just not sure about this. Poor kitty, but he does look cute if not happy! :)

    Now, I wonder if my 2 would be willing to wear this?!

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  11. My GF said this is her favorite thus far!

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  12. Please stop it.

    You are obviously creative and talented and lucky enough to share your life with these much-loved and cared for creatures. But please stop dressing them in stupid hats. Cats have an inbuilt sense of dignity. They also have their own humour, but I am not sure it equates to ours, or if we are entitled to impose ours on them.

    Just love them and keep posting pictures of them for everyone to enjoy, because they are lovely, But PlEASE stop with the stupid hats and outfits.

    Alison in the UK

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  13. Please continue.

    You are so creative and talented. We are lucky to have you share your creativeness with us. Your much loved creatures do not seemed harmed or belittled with your creations, in fact they seem honored that their pet parent would love them enough to make them a valued part of many people's lives. Not all pet parents are lucky enough to have patient pets like you, you obviously love them dearly. Go ahead and continue to "impose" your sense of humor on your pets, god knows they impose theirs on us.

    Just love them and keep posting what you are posting and people who do not enjoy them need not come to your blog. So haters, stop drinking the haterade, chill out, and if you do not like the "stupid hats and outfits" you can just skip this blog and stop trying to "impose" your will on others.

    Russ in the US (wow I thought this was suppose to be Anonymous)

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  14. Please DON'T stop!!
    I love all your hats, and I plan on making them for my cats! I can't wait to see what else you come up with! Don't let the haters discourage you, when there are so many of us out here that absolutely LOVE the hats!! :)

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  15. I don't remember how I fell into your blog. It could've been the cat sweater.
    These cat hats are the greatest thing ever.

    Thanks for making me smile. :)

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  16. Don't stop.

    You are SO clever and creative and I agree with teh people who say not to listen to the haters. I waz reading this and thought "Wow...who would SAY that to someone who is really creative?" I definately agree with "Anonymus/Russ in the US" Keep on with the cat thingies! Almost all the cat knitting stuff is catnip toys and blankets! Keep up the clever cat hats! I am thinking of making this for my own cat, Lily the Hiss Monster! Could anyone direct me to a monster cat hat, or devil horns...? They would fit her perfectly, the evil cat!

    Clare

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  17. Greaseball's been LOLcat'ed! :D http://icanhascheezburger.com/2011/05/31/funny-pictures-furget-ur-tired/

    (if this is the 18th post you get of this, please feel free to delete :) )

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  18. Nikki, thanks for the heads-up! I had no idea that Greaseball was a LOLcat. He's quite proud.

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  19. as he should be! he's quite cute and it's a funny one...

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