Knitted Race Car Hat

Materials and Tools:

15" circular knitting needles size 6 (or size needed to obtain gauge)
size 6 double pointed knitting needles (or size needed to obtain gauge)
navy blue worsted weight cotton yarn
tapestry needle
scissors
black-and-white checkered fabric
sewing machine
fusible bonding web
iron and ironing board
large piece of knitted gray fabric
large piece of paper
fabric chalk
gray yarn
gold yarn
straight pins
polymer clay: assorted colors, black and white
oven
black thread

Notes:
Knit the hat or buy one.
Race cars are made from clay.
Directions provided are for a child's small hat. Changes for medium and large hats are in parentheses.
Finished diameter of hat is 14" (15.5", 17")
Gauge = 4 stitches per inch / 6 rows per inch. Take the time to check the gauge.
k2tog = knit two sts together as one

Steps:

1. With 15-inch circular size 6 needles, cast on 50 (56, 60) stitches.

Figure A

2. Knit in k1p1 rib for 1 inch (1.25", 1.5") (figure A).

3. In stockinette stitch increase 6 (7, 10) stitches evenly around next round for a total of 56 (63, 70) stitches.

4. Continue knitting in stockinette stitch until piece measures 4 inches (5", 6") from top of ribbing.

Figure B

5. Change to double-pointed needles when necessary (figure B), begin decreasing as follows:

6. Round 1: Knit 6 (7, 8), k2tog, repeating until end of round

7. Round 2: Knit around

8. Round 3: Knit 5 (6, 7), k2tog, repeating until end of round

9. Round 4: Knit around

Figure C

10. Continue decreasing in this manner until you have completed Knit1, k2tog round.

• Knit one more round evenly, then k2tog for one round.
• Gather remaining stitches by bringing yarn through them with tapestry needle (figure C).
• Cut yarn leaving 6-inch tail.