purlJam

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# Tiny Topper: A Knit Hat for 18-Inch Dolls

**A beginner-friendly, flat-knit hat sized to fit 18-inch dolls such as American Girl® and similar dolls.**

This sweet little hat works up quickly in DK weight yarn on straight needles — no circular needles required! A tidy 2×2 ribbed brim leads into a stockinette body with simple, stepped crown decreases. A single back seam finishes the hat. It makes a wonderful first project or a quick handmade gift.

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## Materials

| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| **Yarn** | DK weight (CYCA #3); approximately 40 yards (37 m) |
| **Needles** | US 6 / 4.0 mm straight knitting needles |
| **Notions** | Tapestry needle for seaming and finishing; scissors |

**Yarn Suggestions:** Any DK weight yarn works beautifully here. This is a great stash-buster project — you only need a small amount!

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## Gauge

**22 stitches × 28 rows = 4 inches (10 cm) in stockinette stitch**
*(5.5 stitches per inch / 7 rows per inch)*

> 📌 **Note:** Even for a small doll project, please knit a gauge swatch! A difference of even one stitch per inch will affect whether the hat fits snugly or falls over your doll's eyes. Block your swatch before measuring.

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## Finished Measurements

| Measurement | Size |
|---|---|
| **Circumference** | ~11.5 inches (29 cm) |
| **Total Height** | ~4.25 inches (10.8 cm) |

*Designed to fit 18-inch dolls with a head circumference of approximately 11–12 inches (28–30.5 cm). This includes a small amount of positive ease for a comfortable fit.*

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## Abbreviations

| Abbreviation | Meaning |
|---|---|
| **CO** | Cast on |
| **BO** | Bind off |
| **k** | Knit |
| **p** | Purl |
| **k2tog** | Knit 2 stitches together (right-leaning decrease) |
| **rep** | Repeat |
| **RS** | Right side |
| **WS** | Wrong side |
| **st(s)** | Stitch(es) |
| **[ ]** | Repeat instructions within brackets the number of times indicated |

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## Pattern Notes

1. The hat is worked **flat** (back and forth on straight needles) from the brim to the crown. A single seam is sewn up the back when the knitting is complete.
2. The **right side (RS)** of the work is the knit side of stockinette — the smooth "V" side.
3. **Odd-numbered rows** are Right Side (RS) rows; **even-numbered rows** are Wrong Side (WS) rows throughout the stockinette body and crown sections.
4. In the **ribbed brim**, every row is worked as k2, p2 to create the textured rib on both sides. The brim naturally curls back slightly on a doll for a classic look.
5. When working crown decreases, keep a stitch count note after each decrease row to help track your progress.
6. **Beginner Tip:** Place a locking stitch marker or safety pin on the RS of your work so you always know which side is facing you.

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## Pattern Instructions

### Brim

Using US 6 / 4.0 mm straight needles, CO 64 sts.
*(Cast-on provides a finished circumference of ~11.6 inches / 29.5 cm at gauge.)*

**Rows 1–8:** [k2, p2] to end of row.
*(Work this 2×2 rib pattern across all 8 rows. Repeat the k2, p2 sequence 16 times across each row.)*

**Stitch count after Row 8:** 64 sts ✓

> 📌 **Beginner Tip:** In 2×2 rib, you knit the knit stitches and purl the purl stitches as they face you. The columns of 2 knits and 2 purls will line up visually to guide you.

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### Body

Work in stockinette stitch (knit RS rows, purl WS rows) as follows:

**Row 9 (RS):** Knit all 64 sts.
**Row 10 (WS):** Purl all 64 sts.

Repeat Rows 9–10 until the Body section measures approximately **1.5 inches (3.8 cm)** from the top of the ribbed brim, ending after a WS (purl) row.
*(At gauge, this is approximately 12 rows — Rows 9 through 20.)*

**Stitch count after Row 20:** 64 sts ✓

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### Crown Shaping

Continue working flat. All odd-numbered rows below are RS (knit) rows containing decreases; all even-numbered rows are WS (purl) rows worked straight with no decreases.

**Crown Row 1 (RS — decrease row):**
[k6, k2tog] 8 times. — **56 sts**
*(8 repeats of 7 stitches = 56 sts ✓)*

**Crown Row 2 (WS):** Purl to end. — 56 sts

**Crown Row 3 (RS — decrease row):**
[k5, k2tog] 8 times. — **48 sts**
*(8 repeats of 6 stitches = 48 sts ✓)*

**Crown Row 4 (WS):** Purl to end. — 48 sts

**Crown Row 5 (RS — decrease row):**
[k4, k2tog] 8 times. — **40 sts**
*(8 repeats of 5 stitches = 40 sts ✓)*

**Crown Row 6 (WS):** Purl to end. — 40 sts

**Crown Row 7 (RS — decrease row):**
[k3, k2tog] 8 times. — **32 sts**
*(8 repeats of 4 stitches = 32 sts ✓)*

**Crown Row 8 (WS):** Purl to end. — 32 sts

**Crown Row 9 (RS — decrease row):**
[k2, k2tog] 8 times. — **24 sts**
*(8 repeats of 3 stitches = 24 sts ✓)*

**Crown Row 10 (WS):** Purl to end. — 24 sts

**Crown Row 11 (RS — decrease row):**
[k1, k2tog] 8 times. — **16 sts**
*(8 repeats of 2 stitches = 16 sts ✓)*

**Crown Row 12 (WS):** Purl to end. — 16 sts

**Crown Row 13 (RS — final decrease row):**
[k2tog] 8 times. — **8 sts**
*(8 repeats of 1 decrease = 8 sts ✓)*

**Final stitch count: 8 sts** ✓

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## Finishing

### Step 1: Close the Crown
Cut the working yarn, leaving a tail of approximately **8 inches (20 cm)**.
Thread the tail onto your tapestry needle.
*Draw the tapestry needle through all 8 remaining stitches on the knitting needle, sliding them off as you go.*
Pull the yarn tail firmly to cinch the crown closed.
Push the tapestry needle to the wrong side of the hat and take 1–2 small anchor stitches to secure.
Do not cut the yarn yet — you will use this tail to begin the back seam.

### Step 2: Seam the Back
Fold the hat in half lengthwise with **right sides together**, aligning the cast-on edge evenly.
Using the tail from the crown (or a new length of yarn if needed), use **mattress stitch** or **whip stitch** to seam the two side edges together from crown to cast-on edge.

> 📌 **Seaming Tip for Beginners:** Whip stitch is the easiest option — simply insert the tapestry needle through one stitch on each edge alternately and pull the yarn through. Keep your tension even and not too tight.

Weave in all yarn ends securely on the wrong side. Trim ends.

### Step 3: Turn Right Side Out
Turn the hat right side out. The back seam will be on the inside.
Fold the ribbed brim up slightly for a classic hat look, or leave it unfolded for a taller style.

### Step 4: Optional — Add a Pompom or Bow
A small pompom made from the same or a contrasting yarn sewn to the crown top makes a darling finishing touch!

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## Quick Reference Row Summary

| Section | Rows | Stitch Count |
|---|---|---|
| Brim (2×2 rib) | 1–8 | 64 sts throughout |
| Body (stockinette) | 9–20 | 64 sts throughout |
| Crown Row 1 | 21 | 56 sts |
| Crown Row 3 | 23 | 48 sts |
| Crown Row 5 | 25 | 40 sts |
| Crown Row 7 | 27 | 32 sts |
| Crown Row 9 | 29 | 24 sts |
| Crown Row 11 | 31 | 16 sts |
| Crown Row 13 | 33 | 8 sts → close crown |

**Total rows worked:** 33 rows

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## Skill Refresher: Techniques Used

**k2tog (Knit 2 Together):** Insert the right needle tip through the next 2 stitches at the same time (as if to knit), wrap the yarn, and pull through both stitches. This creates a neat right-leaning decrease and removes 1 stitch from the needle.

**2×2 Rib:** Alternating *knit 2, purl 2* across the row creates an elastic, stretchy fabric perfect for hat brims.

**Stockinette Stitch (worked flat):** Knit every RS (odd) row; purl every WS (even) row.

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*This pattern is designed for personal use. Finished hats may be gifted or donated freely.*

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