How to knit a Candy Corn Hat for the whole family
Today, you’ll learn how to knit a super easy Candy Corn Hat, step by step.
As many of you already know, this tricolor candy was invented in Philadelphia in 1880 and became a symbol of Fall and Halloween.
The pattern comes in all sizes: From 0 – 3 months of age to adults, and it’s totally beginner-friendly.
Actually, the only techniques required are cast-on, knit and purl, and knit two stitches together (nothing else, not even cast-off).
So, if you are trick or treating this year, I suggest you start knitting for the whole family 🙂
In conclusion, there is no time to lose!
Grab your needles and some yarn, and let’s get busy!
Abbreviations
CO: Cast on
RS: Right side of the work
st: Stitch
K: Knit
P: Purl
k2tog: Knit two stitches together
How to Knit a Candy Corn Hat: Materials
Tapestry needle, ruler or measurement tape, and scissors.
Any kind of worsted weight yarn (wool yarn and acrylic are the most stretchy ones).
I used 100% cotton yarn (smooth, and easy to work with, but not stretchy) #ad
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Approximate yarn quantities
Divide the total amount by 3 to have the same for each color (yellow or gold, orange, and off-white or ivory).
Baby (0-3 months): 50 gr.
Baby (3-12 months): 70 gr.
Toddler (1-2 years): 80 gr.
Child (3-12 years): 95 gr.
Tween: 110 gr.
Woman: 125 gr.
Man: 145 gr.
Sizes To Fit Head Circumference
Baby (0-3 months): Up to 35 cm (14 in)
Baby (3-12 months): Up to 41 cm (16 in)
Toddler (1-2 years): Up to 46 cm (18 in)
Child (3-12 years): Up to 51 cm (20 in)
Tween: Up to 56 cm (22 in)
Woman: Up to 58.5 cm (23 in)
Man: Up to 61 cm (24 in)
Finished Measurements (negative ease of 10% to provide a comfortable fit)
Baby (0-3 months): 31.5 cm (12 1/2 in) width / 14.5 cm (5.75 in) length
Baby (3-12 months): 37 cm (14 1/2 in) width / 16.5 cm (6.5 in) length
Toddler (1-2 years): 41.4 cm (16 1/4 in) width / 18 cm (7 in) length
Child (3-12 years): 46 cm (18 in) width / 19 cm (7.5 in) length
Tween: 51 cm (20 in) width / 20 cm (8 in) length
Woman: 53 cm (21 in) width / 21.5 cm (8.5 in) length
Man: 55 cm (21 3/4 in) width / 24 cm (9.5 in) length
Gauge
A 10 x 10 cm (4 x 4 in) square knitted in Stockinette stitch with the larger needles = 19 st and 26 rows.
If you’re getting more stitches per inch, go up a needle size.
On the contrary, if you’re getting fewer stitches per inch, go down a needle size.
Take the time to knit your swatch. If your gauge is different, the size of your candy corn hat will be too!
How to Knit a Candy Corn Hat in the Round
If you prefer to knit this pattern in the round, follow the same instructions, but change the purl rows into knit rounds.
How to Knit a Candy Corn Hat
The Brim
With the smaller needles CO 60 (70, 80, 88, 96, 100, 104) st using color yellow.
Work 6 (6, 8, 8, 10, 10, 12) rows in 1 x 1 Rib stitch, as follows:
1º row (RS): *K1, P1*. Repeat from * to *, to end (all rows are the same).
Stockinette section
Row 1 (RS): With larger needles K across
Row 2: P across
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until the hat measures 4.5 (5.5, 6, 6, 6.5, 7, 8) cm from the CO edge.
or
1.75 (2, 2, 2 1/4, 2 3/4, 3) in, ending with a wrong side row.
Change to color orange, and repeat rows 1 and 2, until the hat measures 9.5 (11, 12, 12, 13, 14, 16) cm from the CO edge
or
3 1/2 (4, 4, 4 1/2, 5 1/2, 6) in.
Baby (0 – 3 months) size:
Change to color off-white, and continue working in Stockinette stitch until the hat measures 11 cm (4 1/4 in) from the CO edge.
Decrease section
Row 1 (RS): *K4, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 2 and every even row: P across
Row 3: *K3, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 5: *K2, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 7: *K1, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 9: *k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end.
Baby (3 – 12 months) size:
Change to color off-white, and start decreasing, as follows:
Row 1 (RS): *K5, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 2 and every even row: P across
Row 3 (RS): *K4, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 5: *K3, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 7: *K2, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 9: *K1, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 11: *k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end.
Toddler (1 – 2 years) / Child (3-12 years) size /Tween size and Man size
Change to color off-white, and start decreasing, as follows:
Row 1 (RS): *K6, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 2 and every even row: P across
Row 3 (RS): *K5, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 5 (RS): *K4, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 7: *K3, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 9: *K2, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 11: *K1, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 13: *k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end.
Woman size
Change to color off-white, and start decreasing, as follows:
Row 1 (RS): *K8, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 2 and every even row: P across
Row 3: *K7, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 5: *K6, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 7: *K5, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 9: *K4, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 11: *K3, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 13: *K2, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 15: *K1, k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end
Row 17: *k2tog*. Repeat from * to *, to end.
How to Knit a Candy Corn Hat: Invisible Seaming
Cut yarn leaving a nice tail long enough to join both sides (around two times the length of one of the sides).
Thread your tapestry needle, pass the tail through the remaining stitches, pull, and close to secure.
Sew up both sides (in the video I show you how to do it).
And… congratulations!
Your Candy Corn Hat is ready 🙂
Enjoy the video tutorial:
How to knit a Candy Corn Hat for the whole family
Happy Halloween and happy knitting!
xoxo
Carolina – So Woolly
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