Carmen Banana is not your usual sock monkey. She comes as a kit from Knit Picks with a wardrobe to die for. After I knit Carmen, her fancy panties, and a dress for a night out on the town, her outfit just did not look quite put together without a topper. Long ago, I promised a pattern on my ravelry project page, and at last, here it is.
In Knit Picks Stroll yarn and at a gauge of 8 stitches and 10 rows to the inch in stockinette, this pattern will yield a hat that is 7 inches in circumference.
Use the circular knitting method of your choice. I knit this little hat using Magic Loop on a 32” circular needle in the same size I used for Carmen.
Using the cable cast on technique and main color, cast on 56 stitches. Place a marker for beginning of round and k1p1 rib for 4 rounds. Knit in stockinette for 9 rounds. Begin decrease rounds:
- *ssk, k5*
- knit
- *ssk, k4*
- knit
- *ssk, k3*
- knit
- *ssk, k2*
- knit
- *ssk, k1*
- ssk 8 times
- ssk 4 times
Break yarn leaving a 10” tail. With a tapestry needle pull yarn through all stitches, pull tight, pull tail to inside, weave end in and cut.
For the flower, cast on 60 stitches in contrast color, knit front and back in each stitch, knit one row, loosely cast off, leaving a long tail. Coil the knitting, securing with the yarn tail. Sew to the hat.
The shape of Carmen’s head is such that she will lose this hat unless you secure it to her head, either by sewing, or with a tiny safety pin on the inside, as I did.
download the pdf: Hat with Flower for Sock Monkey or Doll
carpool knitter 