Paddington Bear Hat or Frog Hat

Paddington Bear Hat or Frog Hat by Melissa Schaschwary

What is Being Made

This downloadable knitting pattern creates a charming Paddington Bear Hat or Frog Hat, an intermediate-level project designed by Melissa Schaschwary. The hat features distinctive earflaps that give it character and functionality, making it both a playful accessory and a practical head covering. The design is suitable for crafters with some knitting experience who are ready to tackle construction techniques involving multiple needles and shaping.

Knitting Techniques Used

The pattern employs several fundamental and intermediate knitting techniques to construct the hat. The earflaps are knit flat using double-pointed needles, worked back and forth in rows rather than in the round. The main hat body is then knit in the round using a circular needle, which creates a seamless crown. The pattern incorporates increases (specifically the kfb or "knit front and back" technique) to shape the earflaps, and decreases (k2tog or "knit two together") to shape the crown. The construction method involves transferring live stitches from double-pointed needles to a circular needle, combining the earflaps with the main hat body in a single continuous piece.

Stitches Used

• Garter stitch: The primary stitch used for the earflaps, created by knitting every row. This textured stitch provides structure and a classic look.
• Stockinette stitch: Used for the main hat body (knit all rounds), creating a smooth, traditional fabric.
• Knit front and back (kfb): An increase technique used to expand the earflap width.
• Knit two together (k2tog): A decrease technique used to shape the crown of the hat.
• Purl stitch: Two rounds of purling are worked after the earflaps are joined, adding textural detail to the transition between the earflaps and main hat body.

Materials and Tools

This pattern is worked with chunky weight yarn, making it a quick and satisfying project. The specified yarn is Plymouth Yarn Baby, and you will need 1 skein to complete the hat. The pattern calls for US size 10 double-pointed needles for the earflaps and initial cast-on, and US size 10 circular needle for the majority of the hat body. The pattern also specifies switching to a US size 13 circular needle for the crown shaping rounds, allowing for a subtle gauge change that aids in the decrease sequence.

Pattern Overview

The hat construction begins with two separate earflaps, each created by casting on 8 stitches and working 4 rows of garter stitch, followed by increases at both edges and an additional 9 rows of garter stitch, resulting in 10 stitches per earflap. The earflaps are then held on the needles while the main hat body is constructed. Using a circular needle, the crafter casts on 14 stitches, knits across the first earflap's live stitches, casts on another 14 stitches, and knits across the second earflap's live stitches, bringing the total to 48 stitches arranged evenly around the circular needle. Two rounds of purl stitch and two rounds of stockinette stitch create a textural band, after which the needle is switched to US size 13. The crown is then shaped with a decrease round (knit 4, knit 2 together, repeated around) to 40 stitches, and stockinette stitch is continued until the piece measures 5 inches from the brim. This pattern is presented for personal use only and is the creation of designer Melissa Schaschwary.