"Soft Kitty" Hat: © 2017 Marina Novikova

1 of 16 “Soft Kitty” hat
“Soft Kitty” hat

Original Design by Marina Novikova
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© 2019 Marina Novikova.
Size: NB (0-3 mo); infant (3-6 mo); baby (6-12 mo); toddler (1-3 y.o); child; teen; adult.
To fit: 12-13” (30-33 cm); 13-15” (33-38 cm); 16-17” (40-43 cm); 17-19” (43-48 cm);
19-20” (48-51 cm); 20-21” (51-53 cm); 21-22” (53-56cm) head circumference.
© 2017 Marina Novikova
Yarn: Drops Big Merino - 100% Wool -

50g / 75m (82 yds) or
Drops Air - 70% Alpaca, 23% Polyamide,

7% Wool - 50g/150m (164yds)
Quantity: NB-toddler: 1 skein or less.

Child-adult: 2 skeins of Drops Big
Merino; just 1 skein if using Drops Air.
Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 8 (5

mm) circular 12” (for NB) or 16” or DPNs
(or size to obtain gauge) if knitted in the
round; or same size longer circular or
straight needles if knitted flat.
Notions: stitch marker, cable needle,

large tapestry needle and/or crochet
hook.
Gauge: 2" x 2" (5 cm x 5 cm) = 8 (8.5) sts x 10 rows.

Overall instruction
Hat is designed for a tight fit, which makes the ears perk up. Hat is worked in the round
or flat on circular or straight needles, from bottom up, straight without a decrease. Keep
in mind, knitting in the round has a tendency to be tighter than knitting flat, which could
make the finished hat a tad smaller. Top of the hat could be BO as usual and then sewn.
For a neater BO use the 3-needle bind off method (see details on p. 3).
Note: Circular needles aren’t just for knitting in the round — they are very useful for flat
back-and-forth knitting of larger pieces, see the tutorial on the Knit Picks website:
https://tutorials.knitpicks.com/knitting-flat/
Cables
All cables could be turning to the left OR to the right — pick whichever you are more
comfortable with. This pattern provides description for cables turning to the left.
Making a cable that twists to the left.

Slide 2 stitches from your left hand needle on to the cable needle and hold it in front of
your knitting. Knit 2 stitches from your left hand needle, then slide back 2 stitches from
the cable needle to the left hand needle (do not twist sts) and knit them.
Note: in the pattern cable twist (of 4 sts) is referred to as “2x2 cable twist”.
You can watch Drops Design video tutorial how to knit cables:
https://www.garnstudio.com/video.php?id=19&lang=us
1 2
sl 2 sts to CN, hold on front of work knit 2 sts from LH needle
3 4
sl 2 sts from CN to LH needle knit those 2 sts from CN

3-needle Bind Off (for knitting in the ROUND)

BO the top of the hat by holding stitches of the back half and stitches of the front half on
a separate needles with the 3-needle bind off method. Hold the needles close to each
other. Use a third needle (or the US 8 (5mm) needle you have your stitches on) and knit
1st on each needle together, knit two more together and then slip 1st (first sts) over the
next. Repeat k2tog and slip 1st over, until BO all sts.
You can watch Drops Design video tutorial how to bind off 3-needle:
https://www.garnstudio.com/video.php?id=49&lang=us
half of the back work just half sts

sts left after of a back
slipping
front sts
3-Needle Bind Off (for knitting FLAT)

Follow the same instructions and in the video above. After BO, half of sts (in the middle
of the middle cable (1) i.e. the center of the hat), k2tog stitches on your back needle
(2), then slip the right st over the knitted together st. Doing that, decrease 2 sts (these
are the 2 sts from the back needle, which are the edge stitches (es). They have to be
decreased, so the amount of sts is the same on the front and the back needles).
Continue further by BO sts from the front and the back needle until finished.
1 2 k2tog both es on the back
Center of front of the hat

Instructions are written for NB size. Changes for other sizes are in parentheses:
NB: 0-3 mo (infant: 3-6 mo, baby: 6-12 mo, toddler: 1-3 y.o, child, teen, adult).
How to “read” the pattern: To make it easier to follow, instructions for step 4 are
written separately for each size. However, the instructions for the rest of steps are
written for all sizes. Also, there are instructions for both versions: knitting flat and knitting
in the round for each size. To make it more convenient to print (if the printed version is
used), each size/embellishment is placed on a separate page. Simply chose and print
only the pages with the size/instructions you need.
You can watch Love Crafts video tutorial how to knit in the round:
https://www.lovecrafts.com/en-us/c/article/try-it-today-knitting-in-the-round
Making beanie
KNITTING IN THE ROUND instructions for all sizes (steps 1 - 4; step 5 see on p. 12)
Step 1: Rnd 1 — CO round: with circular needles US 7 (4.5 mm) CO 52 (56, 60, 64,
68, 72, 76) sts. Join, taking care not to twist sts and place marker for beg. of rnd. Slip
this marker every rnd.
Step 2: Work in rib *p1, k1* for 7 (8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16) rnds.
Step 3: Change needles to US 8 (5 mm), continue work in Stockinette stitch (knit all
rnds) for same amounts of rnds as was your rib: 7 (8, 9, 10, 12, 14, 16) rnds.
Step 4: make cables. For infant - adult sizes make 3 cables, for NB size make just 1
center cable. Follow individual instructions for each size, see pages 5-11.
FLAT KNITTING instructions for all sizes (steps 1 - 4; step 5 see on p. 12)
Step 1: Row 1 (CO row) with US 7 (4.5 mm) needles CO 54 (58, 62, 66, 70, 74, 78) sts.
Leave longer tail for sewing later. Note: there are 2 edge stitches (es) included in a flat
knitted version. To create a neater edge (which is would be easier to sew together later),
slip the first and purl the last edge stitch.
Step 2 - work in rib: es, *p1, k1*, es for 7 (9, 11, 11, 13, 15, 17) rows, ending with WS.
Step 3: Change needles to US 8 (5 mm), continue work in Stockinette stitch (knit RS

and purl WS rows) for 6 (6, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14) rows, ending with WS row.
Step 4 - make cables. For infant — adult sizes make 3 cables, for NB size make just 1
center cable. Follow individual instructions for each size, see pages 5-11.

Cables — step 4 — instruction for each size
es = edge stitch — slip first and purl last edge stitch (or work es as you used to)
Attention: in the flat knitted version ONLY RS rows are shown. Work WS rows
following the stitch “pattern” — work as stitches appear to you: purl sts that look like a
purl (most sts on a WS) and knit stitches that appear like a knit (just a few sts between
cables at WS rows).
NB (out of 52 sts) — knitting in the round:
Cable set-up Rnds 1-3: k23, p1, k4, p1, k23 — work 3 rnds.
Middle cable twist Rnd 4: k23, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k23.
Following Rnds 5-8: k23, p1, k4, p1, k23 — work 4 rnds.
Repeat Rnds 4 and Rnds 5-8 two more times (you will have cable twisted three times
total).
BO rnd: k13, slip next 26 sts (front of the hat) on a separate needle = 13+13 sts of the
back left on the other needle. For 3-needle BO see p. 3. Proceed to step 5 (see p. 12).
NB (out of 54 sts) — knitting flat (es = edge st):
Rows 1,3 (RS) — cable set-up: es, k23, p1, k4, p1, k23, es + work all WS — see above
Row 5 (RS) — middle cable twist: es, k23, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k23, es
Row 7 (RS): es, k23, p1, k4, p1, k23, es
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8 (WS): es, p purl sts and k knit sts, es
Repeat Row 5 and Rows 6-8 two more times (you will have the cable twisted three
times).
BO row (RS): BO as usual.
Alternatively for 3-needle BO: es, k13, slip next 26 sts (front of the hat) on a separate
needle = 13+13 sts of the back left on the other needle, see images on a page 3 and
step 5 on page 12.

Infant (out of 56 sts) — knitting in the round:

Following Rnds 5-6 — side cables set-up rnd: k20, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k20 —
work 2 rounds.
Side cables twist Rnd 7: k20, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k4, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k20.
Rnds 8-9: repeat rnds 5-6.
Rnd 10 - middle cable twist: k20, p1, k4, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k4, p1, k20.
Rnd 13 - side cables twist: repeat rnd 7.
Rnd 16: middle cable twist: repeat rnd 10.
Infant (out of 58 sts) — knitting flat (es = edge st; only RS shown):
Rows 1,3 (RS) — cable set-up: es, k25, p1, k4, p1, k25, es + work all WS — see p.5
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16, 18 (WS): es, p purl sts and k knit sts, es
Row 7 (RS) — side cables set-up: es, k20, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k20, es
Row 9 — side cables twist: es, k20, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k4, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1,
k20, es
Row 11 — middle cable twist: es, k20, p1, k4, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k4, p1, k20, es
Row 13: repeat row 7
Row 15 — side cables twist: repeat row 9
Row 17 — middle cable twist: repeat row 11
BO row (RS): BO as usual. Alternatively for 3-needle BO: es, k14, slip next 28 sts (front
of the hat) on a separate needle= 14+14 sts of the back left on the other needle — see
images on a page 3 and step 5 on page 12.

Baby (out of 60 sts) — knitting in the round:

Following Rnds 5-6 — side cables set-up: k22, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k22 — work 2
rounds.
Rnd 10 - middle cable twist: k22 p1, k4, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k4, p1, k22.
Baby (out of 62 sts) — knitting flat (es = edge st; only RS shown):
k22, es
of the hat) on a separate needle = 15+15 sts of the back left on the other needle — see

Toddler (out of 64 sts) — knitting in the round:

work 2 rounds.
Rnd 10 - middle cable twist: k24 p1, k4, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k4, p1, k24.
Toddler (out of 66 sts) — knitting flat (es = edge st; only RS shown):
k24, es

Child (out of 68 sts) — knitting in the round:

Following Rnd 5-6 — side cables set-up rnd: k26, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k4, p1, k26 — work
2 rounds.
Child (out of 70 sts) — knitting flat (es = edge st; only RS shown):
k26, es

Teen (out of 72 sts) — knitting in the round:

work 2 rounds.
Rnd 7 — side cables twist: k28, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k4, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k28.
Rnds 13 - side cables twist: repeat rnd 7.
Teen (out of 74 sts) — knitting flat (es = edge st; only RS shown):
k28, es

Adult (out of 76 sts) — knitting in the round:

work 2 rounds.
Rnd 7 — side cables twist: k30, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k4, p1, 2x2 cable twist, p1, k30.
Rnds 13 - side cables twist: repeat rnd 7.
Adult (out of 78 sts) — knitting flat (es = edge st; only RS shown):
k30, es

Step 5 - finishing for all sizes
If using the 3-needle BO method: after step 4 in flat knitted version slide all stitches
towards beginning of the back needle, so the stitches are ready to BO on both needles
(see images 1, 2 below). Hold the work on two separate needles facing the front side of
the hat (with cables), BO using the 3-needle BO method (see instructions and images
on page 3).
After the top edge is BO, sew back seem together using the CO tail (3).
Cut the thread, pull the tail through to the wrong side of the hat. Weave in and secure all
ends of the yarn (on WS), cut off any excess yarn.
1 2
If making simple BO in the round knitted

version: in order for the front and the back 3
of the hat to be symmetrically allocated, pin
the very center of front of the hat (middle of
middle cable, between 2+2 sts) to the center
of back side where the marker was. Sew the
sides together with a running stitch using
the longer BO tail.
If making a simple BO in the flat knitted

version: sew the back seam first, then
follow the same instructions as for the
simple BO in the round version (above).
Flat knitted hat 3-needle BO.
Sewing back seam together

“Ears”
Secure the ears with a simple sewing single stitch and a knot. All that has be done is
just to sew the ear through both layers (of the front and back) in one single spot (see
images below). No other treatment is needed — it’s that simple. If using embellishments
- complete them first, then secure the ears.
Method:
Fold the top corner of the hat such that the corner touches the closest cable (see image
1) ensuring that the sides of the formed triangle are equal. Locate and note a spot at the
center of the slanted line. Unfold the corner to lay the hat flat (see image 2). Using the
same color yarn and a tapestry needle (or a crochet hook), pull the yarn through both
layers at the spot noted earlier. Make a double knot and secure the ends inside the hat.
1 2
Embellishing
You may wish to additionally embellish the ears with a little contrasting “ear triangle”,
bows or even buttons or beads. Make embellishing techniques like “hairs” or “triangles”
before you for the ear with the knot. If decorating with bows, attach them after the ears
have been secured.
If knitting a “fox”, at the top of the ears area, you could make a longer stitching as “ear
hairs” and crochet a chain stitch (or hand stitches) around edge of the ears with a dark
brown or black/dark grey color.

“Ear Triangles”
Use a contrasting color of yarn — for example: white, beige, brown, grey, pink etc.
With US 7 (4.5 mm) needles CO 8 sts.
Row 1 - WS: purl.
Row 2 - RS: k2tog, k4, k2tog.
Row 3 - WS: purl.
Row 4 - RS: k2tog, k2, k2tog.
Row 5 - WS: purl.
Row 6 - RS: k2tog, k2tog.
Row 7 - WS: p2tog, leave the tail long
enough for sewing “ears” to the hat.
Sew-in: place the triangle approx. 0.5” (1 cm) from the top and the side edges, sew it
just to the top (front) layer of the hat. When finished, cut the thread, weave and secure
ends on the wrong side. After that you can secure/finish ears with the knot — see
instructions above on a page 13.
“Hair stitching” © 2017 Marina Novikova

For the “hairs” use a contrast color. Work just on the
top layer of the hat before you secure the ears.
Cut thread approx. 30” (75cm) in length. Using a
tapestry needle, double fold the thread. Start at the
spot where bottom of the ears would be — approx.
1”-2” (2.5cm - 5cm) from the top and the sides of the
hat, make several diagonal stitches in a variety of
lengths, not too tight and not too loose. Tie in and
secure ends of the yarn (on WS), cut off any excess
yarn. Now you can form the ears — see instructions
above on page 13.

“Bow”
For the bow use a color of your choice. Instructions are provided for the same weight of
the yarn. If using a different yarn, adjust the needle size and the number of stitches.
With US 7 (4.5 mm) CO 10 sts (CO 8

sts for NB), work 7 rows (5 rows for
NB size) in Stockinette stitch (knit
RS, purl WS). If desired, you can
work in Garter stitch (knit all rows).
BO on the right side. Weave in and
secure ends of the yarn (on WS), cut
off any excess yarn. Cut approx.
10” (25cm) of yarn in the same color.
Entwine the bow rectangle in the
center approx. 6 times, knot the tie
on the wrong side by pulling ties © Marina Novikova
under entwined threads using a
crochet hook - this will make your knot Drops Big Merino“light pink” (16) and “grey” (02)
neater and more centered.
Pull the threads of the bow through the corner of the ear approx. in the spot, where the
ear is secured, tie in and secure end of the yarn (on WS), cut off any excess yarn.

Approx. size of finished hat

Knitting Abbreviations
knitted in the round (unstretched)
BO Bind oﬀ
CO Cast on
Note: When knitted flat, the hat might be
DPN(s) Double Pointed Needles
0.5” (1cm) wider and taller, you might wish
to go with a smaller size needles or pattern. RS Right Side
WS Wrong Side
Approx. height 5” (6”; 6.5”; 7”; 8”; 8.5”, 9.5”)
st(s) stitch(es)
Or 13 (15; 17; 18; 20; 22, 24) cm
Rnd(s) round(s)
** repeat instructions between asterisks,

as directed
k knit
k2tog knit 2 (two) together
p purl
sl slip
CN cable Needle
LH left Hand (needle)
2 X 2 cable sl 2 sts to CN and hold on front, knit 2

twist sts from LH needle, knit 2 sts from CN
Approx. width 6” (6.5”; 7”; 7.5”; 8”; 8.5”, 9”)
Or 15 (16; 18; 19; 20; 22, 23) cm
Important Note: to achieve the best

result, please use the recommended
yarn, a substitute might not give you
similar look or size even if you use
same needle size! This design was
created in Drops brand yarn, which
has a tendency to be thicker than
worsted weight yarn of other brands.
(Picture presents correct fit. Hat made in a
https://www.instagram.com/jocelynsmithphoto/ baby size (6-12mo) on a 12 mo model).
LEGAL: This pattern is for individual use only. This pattern either in whole or any part thereof cannot be reproduced
without the expressed written permission of the copyright owner. Every effort has been made to ensure that this pattern is
accurate and complete. The author is not responsible for any injuries, damages, material or monetary loss directly or
indirectly resulting from use of the information provided in this pattern. This pattern is sold as is without any warranty,
expressed or implied. All rights reserved. © 2018 Marina Novikova

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1 of 16 “Soft Kitty” hat

“Soft Kitty” hat

© 2019 Marina Novikova.

© 2017 Marina Novikova

Yarn: Drops Big Merino - 100% Wool -

Drops Air - 70% Alpaca, 23% Polyamide,

Quantity: NB-toddler: 1 skein or less.

Needles: US 7 (4.5 mm) and US 8 (5

Notions: stitch marker, cable needle,

Gauge: 2" x 2" (5 cm x 5 cm) = 8 (8.5) sts x 10 rows.

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Making a cable that twists to the left.

sl 2 sts to CN, hold on front of work knit 2 sts from LH needle

sl 2 sts from CN to LH needle knit those 2 sts from CN

© 2019 Marina Novikova

3-needle Bind Off (for knitting in the ROUND)

half of the back work just half sts

3-Needle Bind Off (for knitting FLAT)

1 2 k2tog both es on the back

Center of front of the hat

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Step 3: Change needles to US 8 (5 mm), continue work in Stockinette stitch (knit RS

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Cables — step 4 — instruction for each size

NB (out of 52 sts) — knitting in the round:

NB (out of 54 sts) — knitting flat (es = edge st):

Row 7 (RS): es, k23, p1, k4, p1, k23, es

Rows 2, 4, 6, 8 (WS): es, p purl sts and k knit sts, es

BO row (RS): BO as usual.

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Infant (out of 56 sts) — knitting in the round:

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Baby (out of 60 sts) — knitting in the round:

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Toddler (out of 64 sts) — knitting in the round:

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Child (out of 68 sts) — knitting in the round:

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Teen (out of 72 sts) — knitting in the round:

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Adult (out of 76 sts) — knitting in the round:

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Step 5 - finishing for all sizes

If making simple BO in the round knitted

If making a simple BO in the flat knitted

Sewing back seam together

© 2019 Marina Novikova

© 2019 Marina Novikova

“Hair stitching” © 2017 Marina Novikova

© 2019 Marina Novikova

With US 7 (4.5 mm) CO 10 sts (CO 8

© 2019 Marina Novikova

Approx. size of finished hat

** repeat instructions between asterisks,

k2tog knit 2 (two) together

LH left Hand (needle)

2 X 2 cable sl 2 sts to CN and hold on front, knit 2

Important Note: to achieve the best

© 2019 Marina Novikova