purlJam

# Knit Felt Fox Face and Head Hat
**Difficulty Level:** Beginner
**Technique:** Circular Knitting, Wet Felting

## Description
This pattern creates a whimsical fox hat by knitting a large, loose beanie and felting it down to size using hot water and agitation. The base is worked in the round from the brim up using the Basic Ribbed Beanie structure. Fox ears are knitted separately and attached before felting. Facial features are added after felting for a precise finish.

## Materials & Tools
*   **Yarn:** Worsted weight yarn (approx. 200g / 400m total).
    *   **CRITICAL:** You must use **100% Non-Superwash Wool**. Do not use "Superwash," acrylic, or cotton blends; they will not felt.
    *   *Colours:* 150g Rust/Fox Orange (Main Colour), 50g White (for inner ears/cheeks), small amount of Black (for nose/eyes).
*   **Needles:** 6.0mm (UK 4) circular needles (40cm length) and 6.0mm Double Pointed Needles (DPNs) for the crown.
    *   *Note:* These needles are larger than standard for worsted yarn to allow the fabric to shrink.
*   **Notions:** Stitch marker, tapestry needle, sharp scissors.
*   **Optional:** Felting needle and foam block (for adding precise face details).

## Specifications
*   **Yarn Weight:** Worsted (10 ply)
*   **Finished Size (After Felting):** Adult Medium (approx. 56 cm circumference).
*   **Pre-Felt Size:** Approx. 74 cm circumference.

## Tension (Gauge)
**Before Felting:** 14 stitches and 20 rows = 10 cm x 10 cm in stocking stitch using 6.0mm needles.
*It is vital to check your tension. If your tension is tighter, the hat will felt too small. If you have more stitches per 10cm, switch to a larger needle.*

## Abbreviations (UK Terminology)
*   **k:** knit
*   **p:** purl
*   **st(s):** stitch(es)
*   **k2tog:** knit 2 stitches together (decrease)
*   **RS:** right side
*   **WS:** wrong side

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## Instructions

### Part 1: The Hat Body (In Rust/Orange)
*Using 6.0mm circular needles and Rust yarn:*

**Brim**
Cast on **104 sts**. Join in the round, being careful not to twist. Place marker to indicate start of round.
*   **Rounds 1–10:** *k2, p2; repeat from * to end of round.
    *   *[Math Check: 104 sts is divisible by 4, so ribbing pattern aligns perfectly.]*

**Body**
Switch to stocking stitch (knit every stitch).
*   **Next Round:** Knit all stitches.
*   Continue knitting every round until work measures **28 cm** from the cast-on edge.
    *   *Note: This will look very large and tall. This is necessary for the shrinkage.*

**Crown Shaping**
Change to DPNs when the stitches become too tight for the circular needle.
*   **Round 1:** *k11, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[104 - 8 = 96 sts]`
*   **Round 2:** Knit all sts. `[96 sts]`
*   **Round 3:** *k10, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[96 - 8 = 88 sts]`
*   **Round 4:** Knit all sts. `[88 sts]`
*   **Round 5:** *k9, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[88 - 8 = 80 sts]`
*   **Round 6:** Knit all sts. `[80 sts]`
*   **Round 7:** *k8, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[80 - 8 = 72 sts]`
*   **Round 8:** Knit all sts. `[72 sts]`
*   **Round 9:** *k7, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[72 - 8 = 64 sts]`
*   **Round 10:** *k6, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[64 - 8 = 56 sts]`
*   **Round 11:** *k5, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[56 - 8 = 48 sts]`
*   **Round 12:** *k4, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[48 - 8 = 40 sts]`
*   **Round 13:** *k3, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[40 - 8 = 32 sts]`
*   **Round 14:** *k2, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[32 - 8 = 24 sts]`
*   **Round 15:** *k1, k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[24 - 8 = 16 sts]`
*   **Round 16:** *k2tog; repeat from * to end. `[16 - 8 = 8 sts]`

Cut yarn, leaving a 20cm tail. Thread tail through remaining 8 loops, pull tight to close the hole, and secure on the inside.

### Part 2: The Fox Ears (Make 2)
*The ears are knitted flat and then folded to create a double-thick triangle that stands up well after felting.*

Using **Rust** yarn and 6.0mm needles (working flat):
1.  Cast on **20 sts**.
2.  Work in stocking stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) for 14 rows.
3.  **Decrease Row (RS):** k1, k2tog, knit to last 3 sts, k2tog, k1. `[18 sts]`
4.  **Next Row (WS):** Purl.
5.  Repeat the last 2 rows (decreasing on knit rows only) until **4 sts** remain.
6.  **Next Row:** k2tog, k2tog. `[2 sts]`
7.  **Next Row:** p2tog. `[1 st]`
8.  Fasten off.

*Construction:* Fold the cast-on edge in half so the side edges meet. Sew the side edges together. You now have a triangular cone shape. (Optional: Before sewing, you can duplicate stitch a white triangle in the centre for the inner ear, or wait to needle felt this later).

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## Assembly & Felting

### Step 1: Pre-Felt Assembly
1.  Flatten the hat so the crown join is central.
2.  Position the ears on the top of the hat, roughly 5-6 cm down from the centre crown, spaced about 10 cm apart.
3.  Sew the ears on **very securely** using the Rust yarn. Use a whip stitch and go around the base of the ear twice. Felting puts stress on seams, so loose sewing will unravel.

### Step 2: The Felting Process (The Shrink)
1.  Place the hat inside a zippered pillowcase or laundry bag (to catch loose fuzz).
2.  Put it in the washing machine with a pair of jeans or tennis balls (for agitation).
3.  Run a **hot wash** cycle (approx 60°C) with a small amount of detergent.
4.  **Check frequently:** After 15 minutes, stop the machine and check the size. The hat will shrink and the stitches will disappear, becoming a solid fabric.
5.  If it is still too big, put it back in for another 5-10 minutes.
6.  Once it reaches the desired size (try it on carefully—it will be wet!), rinse it in cold water.

### Step 3: Shaping & Drying
1.  While wet, stretch and pull the hat into the perfect beanie shape. Push the ears out so they stand up triangular and pointy.
2.  Place over a bowl or a balloon inflated to head size to dry. This ensures it keeps the rounded head shape.
3.  Allow to dry completely (this may take 24 hours).

### Step 4: Face Details (Post-Felt)
Now that the hat is stable felt:
1.  **Cheeks:** Cut two ovals from white craft felt or use white wool roving and a felting needle to stab/fuse white patches onto the lower front sides.
2.  **Eyes & Nose:** Use black yarn to embroider eyes and a nose, or needle-felt black wool onto the face area.
3.  **Inner Ears:** Needle felt white wool into the centre of the ears.