This hat/helmet works up fairly fast and can be sized up or down according to the size of needles used and yarn used. I had to use pins as I couldn't find any buttons yet. Will take a picture later with buttons and worn by a child(my granddaughter).
Materials:
1 skein knitting worsted weight yarn
2 - ½ inch buttons
Needles:
I used size 7 and 9 for the one shown. This fits a 2 - 3 year old.
You can also get a smaller size by using the following sizes:
Size 5 and 8 or size 4 and 6. Try size 3 and 5 with sport weight yarn.
With smaller needles, cast on 61 sts.
Row 1: K1, P1, Repeat across row.
Row 2: P1, K1, Repeat across row.
Rows 3 - 6: Repeat rows 1 and 2.
Change to larger needles and work in stockinette stitch for 26 rows ending with a purl row.
Back shaping:
Row 1: K 42, slip 2 sts as if to knit, slip sts back on needle in the order slipped on and then k them tog, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, p 24, p2tog, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1, k24, slip 2 sts as if to knit, slip back on needle in the order slipped on and then k them tog, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, p24. P2tog, turn.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 until 12 stitches remain on outer sides of decreases. Ending with a right side row.
With wrong side facing
Row 1: Sl 1, slip 2 sts as if to knit, slip back on needle in the order slipped on and then p them tog, p19, p2tog, turn.
Row 2: Sl 1, k21, k 2 tog, turn.
Row 3: Sl 1, slip 2 sts as if to knit, slip back on needle in the order slipped on and then p them tog, p17, p2 tog, turn.
Row 4: Sl 1, k19, k2tog, turn.
Repeat rows 3 and 4 having 2 sts less between decreases every purl row until 11 sts remain on needle. Do not bind off but do fasten off yarn.
With right side facing you, use smaller needles to pick up 20 sts evenly along one side of hat, k 11 sts from larger needle, pick up 20 sts evenly along other side of hat. Cast on 21 sts for the chin strap(72 sts total).
Work in k1, p1, ribbing for 3 rows.
Row 4: Work k1, p1 to within 4 sts from end. YO, k 2 tog, k1, p1, turn.
Rows 5 - 7: work in k1, p1, ribbing.
R8: Repeat row 4.
Switch to big needles.
Row 9 - 12: Work in k1, p1 ribbing.
Row 13: Bind off in k1, p1, ribbing. Weave in ends and sew on buttons to correspond with button holes.
