Knitting! Woodland Stag/Deer Baby Hat

Halloween is coming in a month and it is time for another knitting pattern. This year my little guy is going to be a stag for Halloween and I designed this cute little hat for his costume. I now have two hat sizes available, but if either hat size doesn't work for your needs, you could always use a different hat pattern and just add the ears and antlers for your hat.

Woodland Stag/ Baby Deer Hat

Yarn:

Main colour (mc): Bernat Softee Chunky in Soft Taupe

Contrast Colour 1 (cc1): Patons Shetland Chunky in White

Needles:

5mm double pointed needles (dpn's)

Gauge: 6 stitches and 8 rows = 2inches

Measurement:

Small: circumference 16-18 inches 

Medium: circumference 19 inches [all medium instructions will follow the small instructions in brackets ( ) ].

Abbreviations:

cc1-contrast colour 1

dpn's-double pointed needles

k-knit

k2tog-knit two together

m1-make one stitch

mc-main colour

p-purl

p2tog-purl two together

ssk-slip slip knit

st-stitches

 Hat Pattern:

With main colour, cast on 48 st (56st) on dpn's. Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.

row 1: k1, p1 around

Continue for 3 (5) more rows.

Next row: k around and repeat until hat measures 3.5inches (4.5inches) from the start.

next row: k6, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k around

next row:k5, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k around

next row: k4, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k around

next row: k3, k2tog, repeat around circle

(Medium size only: k around)

next row: k2, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k1, k2tog, repeat around circle

next row: k2tog, repeat around circle

last row: k2tog, repeat around circle (k one). Cut yarn, weave through remaining stitches, pull tight, bind off and weave in ends.

Outer Ear Pattern:

With main colour, cast on 4 st on 5mm needles

row 1: k

row 2: p

row 3 :k1, m1, k2,  m1, k1

row 4: p

row 5: k1, m1, k4, m1, k1

row 6: p

row 7: k

row 8: p

row 9: k1, k2tog, k2, ssk, k1

row 10: p

row 11: k1, k2tog, ssk, k1

row 12: p

row 13: k2tog, ssk

row 14: p

row 15, k2, bind off, weave in top end, but leave a long tail at the bottom (to sew the ear onto the hat). 

Repeat for the second ear.

Inner Ear Pattern:

In cc1, cast on 3 st on 5mm needles

row 1: k

row 2: p

row 3: k1, m1, k1, m1, k1

row 4: p

row 5: k1, m1, k3, m1, k1

row 6: p

row 7: k1, k2tog, k1, ssk, k1

row 8: p

row 9: k2tog, k1, ssk

row 10: p

row 11: k2tog, ssk

row 12: p2tog

Bind off. Weave in one end and use the other end to sew inner ear centred onto outer ear.

Repeat.

Antler Pattern:

In cc1, cast on 9 st evenly on 3, 5mm dpns.

Knit in the round until it measures 1.5 inches from beginning. Place 3 st on one needle and set aside. Cast on 2 st on a fourth needle and continue knitting in the round (8 st on needles). After 3/4", k2, k2tog, k to end of the round.

Next row: k4, k2tog, k1

next row: k

next row: k2tog, k to end of row (5st left)

next row: k

next row: k1, k2tog, k2 (4st left)

next row: k

next row: k2, k2tog (3st left)

next row: k, moving 2 st onto 1 needle, 1 on the other.

next row: k2tog, k1, bind off.

Rejoin yarn where the 3 st are set aside. Cast on 2 st (5 st total) and knit in round for 1/2". k2tog, k3, k2tog, k3, k2tog, k1. Bind off.

Sew up hole where new stitches are joined on. Pull bound off ends to the inside of the antler. If desired, add stuffing to the base of the antler and then sew onto the top of the hat. 

Repeat for second antler.

And that's it! Please let me know if you find any errors in the pattern and if you have any suggestions. I also love to hear from people who made the pattern and enjoyed it. Please check out my other patterns on my blog and add me on raverly :honeynutbrown.