Baby Tam 'o Shanter

Here are directions to make a tam o’shanter style hat for a baby.  I adapted these from a doll pattern in the Mary Francis Knitting and Crocheting book.  I haven’t proofed this particular form of the instructions, so if you use them and find an error please let me know.

Use an F hook and worsted weight yarn.

• Chain 4.
• Make a slipstitch into the first chain to form a ring.
• Make 10 sc in ring.
• Stitching in the back loop only, make 2 sc in each sc around the ring. (20 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in the first sc and 2 sc in the next sc*.  Repeat from * to * around.  (30 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in each of the first two sc and 2 sc in the third sc*.   Repeat from * to * around.  (40 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in each of the first three sc and 2 sc in the fourth sc*.   Repeat from * to * around.  (50 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in each of the first four sc and 2 sc in the fifth sc*.   Repeat from * to * around.  (60 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in each of the first five sc and 2 sc in the sixth sc*.   Repeat from * to * around.  (70 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make 1 sc in each sc around.  (70 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in each of the first six sc and 2 sc in the seventh sc*.   Repeat from * to * around.  (80 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make 1 sc in each sc around.  (80 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in each of the first seven sc and 2 sc in the eighth sc*.   Repeat from * to * around.  (90 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make 1 sc in each sc around.  (90 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in each of the first eight sc and 2 sc in the ninth sc*.   Repeat from * to * around.  (100 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make 1 sc in each sc around.  (100 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in each of the first nine sc and 2 sc in the tenth sc*.   Repeat from * to * around.  (110 sc)
• Still stitching in the back loop only, make *1 sc in each of the first four sc and decrease on the fifth and sixth sc*.   Repeat from * to * around.
• Repeat this for five or six more rounds, decreasing on every fifth stitch.
• Make four rounds of sc in each sc, stitching in both loops (not just the back loop).

To make the hat bigger, make more increasing rounds in the section where you are increasing every other round.  To make the band bigger, don’t decrease as far before switching over to sc in each sc, in both loops.

You can stitch the loose starting thread into the hole from the initial ring, and cover up that opening.  If you want to make a tassel, make a chain of whatever length you like, add a tassel to the end, and use a yarn needle to thread the tail of the chain into the hat at the ring on top.