Kevin McCallister's Moose Hat

Kevin McCallister’s Moose Hat

Copyright Vrock Knits 2014   |   Pattern is for personal use only.  Please do not reproduce or sell this pattern, or items made from this pattern.  For questions please contact vrockknits AT gmail DOT com 

This pattern is the closest recreation of the hat that Kevin McCallister wears in the Home Alone movie that I could make.  The chart for this pattern was created by staring intently at a screen shot of the hat while I counted stitches and translated it into an Excel spreadsheet. 

The hat is a slouchy, colourwork toque with a large pom pom.  It is worked in the round with two colours, and features sections of long floats.  The pattern calls for knitting a partial lining to tuck up inside the hat for extra warmth, and to provide a smooth edge for the hat.

This hat requires two contrasting colours in a DK weight yarn.  Knitters must be able to confidently knit in the round, cast on with a provisional crochet cast on, and knit two-colour stranded colourwork.

Difficultly Level

Intermediate - not recommended as a first colourwork project, but knitting skill level required is advanced beginner. 

Size and Finished Measurements

Finished item is approximately 21 inches around, to fit a head with a circumference of 22 inches.

Materials

Berroco Vintage DK | 52% acrylic, 40% wool, 8% nylon, 290 yards /260 metres| colour 2105 (Main Colour) | 1 skein

Berroco Vintage DK | 52% acrylic, 40% wool, 8% nylon, 290 yards /260 metres| colour 2134 (Contrast Colour) | 1 skein

Recommended needle size

One set of 3.5mm double pointed needles OR one 16 inch 3.5mm circular needle

One set of 3.75mm double pointed needles

One 16 inch 3.75mm circular needle (optional)

Gauge

22 stitches and 32 rows per 4 inches, in stockinette stitch in the round with 3.5 mm needles

24 stitches and 24 rows per 4 inches, in colourwork in the round with 3.75mm needles

Notions

Crochet hook (3.5-4.0mm) and waste yarn for provisional crochet cast on

Stitch markers, 5

Darning needle

Pom pom maker, 3.5” (optional)

 

Instructions

Using a crochet hook and waste yarn, provisionally cast on 110 stitches onto smaller needles.  With MC, knit one row, and join for working in the round.  Place marker for beginning of round.

Increase 10 sts evenly around - *k10, m1, repeat from * to end of round (120 sts). 

K 11 rounds, then change to larger needles.

Begin chart.  Repeat the chart five times across each round, placing a marker between each chart repeat.

If working on circular needles, on round 57 of the chart, change to double pointed needles for the crown decreases.

Crown Decreases

Rnd 1 – Using MC, *k2 k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.  30 sts decreased, 90 sts remain.

Rnd 2-5 – k

Rnd 6 - *k1 k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.  30 sts decreased, 60 sts remain.

Rnd 7 – k

Rnd 8 - *k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.  30 sts decreased, 30 sts remain.

Rnd 9 – k

Rnd 10 - *k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.  15 sts remain.

Cut yarn, leaving a 6 inch tail.  Thread tail onto a darning needle and draw through remaining stitches.  Pull tight to cinch remaining stitches, and secure tail, weaving in the end. 

Lining

Remove waste yarn from provisional cast on and place sts onto smaller needles – 110 sts. 

K 5 rounds in MC.  Change to CC and k 35 rounds, or until lining reaches desired length.  Bind off.

Pom Pom

Make one 3.5 inch pom pom using both yarn colours.  When securing the pom pom, leave the tails long enough to use for sewing it onto the hat.

Finishing

Weave in ends. 

Tuck the lining inside the hat, and pin in place evenly around the edge of the hat.  Turn hat inside-out and sew lining in place, using loose stitches.

Block and let air dry.  Sew pom pom to the top of the hat.  Wear and enjoy.

Chart