Pennys Santa Hat by Megan Dodson

Pennys Santa Hat: A pattern by Megan Dodson

In mid December, 2009, there was a sudden buzz on the Internet after the Christmas
episode of The Big Bang Theory aired featuring Penny wearing a double tailed santa
hat. Its darling and distinctive. I found the hat on novelty websites but it was
discontinued. Its my guess, wardrobe found & bought it before that happened.
The following is the pattern that Ive worked out through multiple commission knits to
my favorite take on it with a couple of improvements.
These hats are good for knitting in any number of colors such as team colors for sports.
Ive knitted some in Purdue Boilermaker colors for a friend. I made myself a Steelers hat
and customized one tail to have the logo on it. Use your imagination!
Pattern Notes:
The pattern yields a hat that should fit a wide range of head sizes but one can always go
up or down in needle sizes to adjust. Two pompoms will be needed. Instructions for
making your own can be found online.
Yarn: Vannas Choice, White (CC) & Scarlet
(MC)
Gauge: 3.75 stitches over 1 in stockinette
Needle: size 6 & 9 16 circulars, sz 9 DPNs

Techniques used: cables, knitting in the round

Cable Pattern:
Row 1 5: K2, P2, K8, P2, K10, P2, K8, P2, K40.
Row 6: K2, P2, c4f, P2, K10, P2, c4b, P2, K40.
Tail Decrease Pattern:
Rows 1-5: K all stitches.
Row 6: K row, decreasing stitches 4 times evenly around with K2tog.
Suggestion: divide # of stitches on needle by 4 then subtract 2 to get the number
of stitches to knit before decreasing. For example, if 24 stitches, 24/4 = 6, 6-2 =
4. Therefore, decrease row is (K4, K2tog) 4x for a total of 20 stitches.
BODY:
Cast on 76 stitches with CC yarn, using size 6 circular and join in the round,
being careful not to twist. Place a stitch marker to indicate beginning of round.
Knit 1x1 ribbing for 9 rows or to desired brim depth.
Change color to MC and to size 9 needles and knit one row. This row is a 1 time
substitution of row 1 in the cable pattern. Finish knitting the cable pattern from
row 2 then knit Cable pattern 6 more times for a total of 7 cable repeats. At this
point, try on the hat and pinch the middle of the opening shut, if its not deep
enough, add another pattern repeat or two until satisfied.

@2010 Megan Dodson. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

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Pennys Santa Hat by Megan Dodson

Dividing for Tails:

K2, P2, K8, P2, BO 10, { P2, K8, P2, K16 }, transfer stitches between { } onto a
stitch holder, BO 10, K14. (28 stitches on needle, 28 stitches on stitch holder)
Tail #1:
{ K2, P2, K8, P2, K14 } for 2 rows. Knit 2 more rows. Knit next row as follows:
(K5, K2tog) 4x. There are now 24 stitches on the needle. Knit the Tail Decrease
pattern until 4 stitches are remaining. Cut yarn and pull through remaining four
stitches. Weave end in. Tip: Id attach the pompom at this time before you pull
the top of the tail shut as its easier to use a crochet hook to pull the pom pom tail
thru.
Tail #2:
Move stitches from stitch holder to needle. With MC yarn, join and knit as Tail #1
but with the following substitution for the curly braces section in first two rows: {
P2, K8, P2, K16 }. Be sure to leave a long tail when joining yarn. Youll use it
later to sew the top seam between tails.
Finishing:
Sew the top shut by turning hat inside out and whipstitching through top of
stitches on both sides. You can use the yarn tail from joining the yarn for the 2nd
hat tail if you left it long enough. Weave in all ends. Make or acquire two white
pompoms, preferably 2 in diameter. Attach one to each tail.
Note: After attaching to the tail, I left the pompoms tail dangling loose inside the hat tail instead of
weaving it in. I simply trimmed it to about 2 which is short enough to be hidden in casual use
but works as a pull for pulling the tail inside out if ever needed.

Glossary
k knit
p purl
k2tog knit 2 stitches together
bo bind off

c4f slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold cable needle in

front of work, k2, k2 from cable needle
c4b slip 2 stitches to cable needle, hold cable needle in
back of work, k2, k2 from cable needle

Copyright Notice:
This pattern is 2010 by Megan Dodson. All rights reserved. Do not make copies of
this pattern or any portion of this pattern, electronic or paper, for any person other
than yourself, whether for free or for sale. Please instead direct them to where Ive
published this pattern for download.
Licensing:
This pattern is for personal, non-commercial use only. You may use this pattern to
make finished items for yourself, as gifts, for charity, or for charitable contributions. If
you are interested in purchasing a cottage license to knit items from this pattern for
sale, please contact me at patterns@megandodson.com

@2010 Megan Dodson. All Rights Reserved. For Personal Use Only.

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