Knitted Kid’s Chick Hat

This cute little hat is simple to knit and looks like a chick with a little embellishment. It's perfect for those spring days when there's still a little chill in the air

What you need

one ball Red Heart Plush Baby in Lemon (one is enough to do a couple of hats)
set of 4 size 8 (5 mm) double-pointed knitting needles
a small amount of blue and orange yarn
yarn needle

Gauge is 15 stitches and 26 rounds per 4 inches (3.75 stitches and 6.5 rounds per inch) in stockinette stitch.

Finished hat is around 13 (16, 17, 18, 19) inches around, to fit a newborn (3-6 months, 6-12 months, toddler, child). Instructions are given for the smallest size with the larger sizes in parentheses. Model is largest size on a four-year-old.

Instructions

Cast on 48 (60, 64, 70, 72) stitches. Divide onto 3 double-pointed needles and join in the round.

Work in knit 2, purl 2 ribbing for 1 inch.

Work in stockinette stitch for 1.5 (2.5, 3, 3.5, 4) inches.

*K6 (8, 6, 8, 6), knit 2 together. Repeat from * around.

Knit 1 round.

*K5 (7, 5, 7, 5), knit 2 together. Repeat from * around.

Knit 1 round.

*K4 (6, 4, 6, 4), knit 2 together. Repeat from * around.

Knit 1 round.

*K3 (5, 3, 5, 3), knit 2 together. Repeat from * around.

Knit 1 round.

*K2 (4, 2, 4, 2), knit 2 together. Repeat from * around. Smallest size only, 8 sts remain. Cut yarn, thread through yarn needle, thread stitches onto needle and pull yarn tight.

Knit 1 round.

*K (3, 1, 3, 1), knit 2 together. Repeat from * around.

For sizes 2 and 4 only, *K2, knit 2 together. Repeat from * around.

All sizes, k2tog around. Cut yarn, thread through yarn needle, thread stitches onto needle and pull yarn tight.

The eyes are worked in duplicate stitch in a four-stitch square. My daughter asked for blue, but you can use whatever color you like.

For the beak, using orange, pick up and knit 6 stitches. Knit 2 rows.

Slip, slip, knit, knit 2, knit 2 together.

Knit 1 row.

Slip, slip, knit, knit 2 together.

Knit 1 row.

Knit 2 together to bind off. Weave in yarn end.

If desired, you can add wings in a similar way, by picking up stitches along the side of the hat, working straight for a couple of inches and decreasing in the same manner. My daughter didn’t want them, and it’s cute just as it is.