Hagar and Helga Hats

The Hagar and Helga Hats will keep you kids nice and warm as they trick or treat. These fun homemade Halloween costumes for kids are the perfect way to put your knitting to work and save some money. Your kids are sure to love these cozy Viking hats. Based off of the same basic design, these hats can be easily customized to fit either a warrior or a maiden. Knitting up these hats around Halloween is a wonderful way to ensure that your kids have a first rate Halloween.

Intermediate

Knitting Needle Size7 or 4.5 mm

Yarn Weight(4) Medium Weight/Worsted Weight and Aran (16-20 stitches to 4 inches)

Sizes
To fit child 4/6 (8/10).

MATERIALS

Lily® Sugar’n Cream® (70.9 g/2.5 oz; 109 m/120 yds)
Set of 4 size 4.5 mm (U.S. 7) double-pointed knitting needles or size needed to obtain gauge
Cable needle
Stitch marker
Stuffing

Hagar

Main Color (MC) Jute (00082) 1 1 ball
Contrast A Soft Ecru (01004) 1 1 ball
Contrast B Country Red (01530) 1 1 ball

Helga

Contrast A Soft Ecru (01004) 1 1 ball
Warm Brown (01130)
Main Color (MC) 1 1 ball

Gauge
20 sts and 26 rows = 4" [10 cm] in stocking st.

INSTRUCTI ONS
HAT
Cabled Band
With MC and pair of double-pointed needles, cast on 12 sts.
1st row: (RS). P1. K1. P1. K6. P1. K1. P1.
2nd and alt rows: K1. P1. K1. P6. K1. P1. K1.
3rd row: As 1st row.
5th row: P1. K1. P1. C6F. P1. K1. P1.
7th row: As 1st row.
8th row: As 2nd row.
These 8 rows form Cable Pat.
Cont in Cable Pat until piece from beg measures approx 16 (18)" [40.5 (45.5) cm], ending on a 7th row.
Cast off in pat.

Sew cast on and cast off edges tog.

With MC and set of 4 double-pointed needles, pick up and knit 64 (72) sts around side edge of Cabled Band. Divide sts on 3 needles. Join in rnd, placing a marker on first st.
1st rnd: *(P1. K1) 7 (8) times. P1. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more.
2nd rnd: *(K1. P1) 7 (8) times. K1. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more.
Rep last 2 rnds until work from beg measures 4½ (5½)" [11.5 (14) cm], ending on a 2nd rnd.
Shape top: 1st rnd: *ssk. (P1. K1) 5 (6) times. P1. K2tog. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more. 56 (64) sts.
2nd rnd: *(P1. K1) 6 (7) times. P1. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more.
3rd rnd: *ssk. (K1. P1) 4 (5) times. K1. K2tog. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more. 48 (56) sts.
4th rnd: *(K1. P1) 5 (6) times. K1. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more.
5th rnd: *ssk. (P1. K1) 3 (4) times. P1. K2tog. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more. 40 (48) sts.
6th rnd: *(P1. K1) 4 (5) times. P1. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more.
7th rnd: *ssk. (K1. P1) 2 (3) times. K1. K2tog. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more. 32 (40) sts.
8th rnd: *(K1. P1) 3 (4) times. K1. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more.
9th rnd: *ssk. (P1. K1) 1 (2) time(s). P1. K2tog. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more. 24 (32) sts.

Size 4/6 only: 10th rnd: *ssk. P1. K2tog. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more. 16 sts.

Size 8/10 only: 10th rnd: *(P1. K1) 3 times. P1. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more. 11th rnd: *ssk. K1. P1. K1. K2tog. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more. 24 sts.
12th rnd: *(K1. P1) twice. K1. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more.
13th rnd: *ssk. P1. K2tog. K1tbl. Rep from * 3 times more. 16 sts.

Both sizes:

Next rnd: *K2tog. Rep from * around. Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through rem 8 sts and fasten securely.

Horns (make 2)
With A, cast on 20 sts. Divide sts on 3 needles. Join in rnd, placing a marker on first st.
1st to 14th rnds: Knit.
15th rnd: K3. (K2tog) 4 times. 16 sts.
16th rnd: Knit.
17th rnd: K2. (K2tog) 4 times. 12 sts.
18th rnd: Knit.
19th rnd: K1. K2tog. K1. (K2tog) twice. K1. K2tog. K1. 8 sts.
20th and 21st rnds: Knit.
22nd rnd: (K2tog) 4 times. Break yarn, leaving a long end. Thread end through rem 4 sts and fasten securely.

Stuff Horns lightly and sew to sides of Hat as shown in picture.

Hagar Version only:
Beard
With MC and pair of double-pointed needles, cast on 7 sts. Knit 8 rows (garter st).
Next row: K1. M1. Knit to last st. M1. K1. 9 sts.
Knit 15 rows.
Next row: K1. M1. Knit to last st. M1. K1. Place marker at end of row. 11 sts.
Knit even until work from marked row measures 6" [15 cm].
Next row: K1. K2tog. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 9 sts.
Knit 15 rows.
Next row: K1. K2tog. Knit to last 3 sts. K2tog. K1. 7 sts.
Knit 8 rows (garter st).
Cast off.

Moustache
With MC and pair of double-pointed needles, cast on 2 sts.
Knit 2 rows.
Next row: K1. M1. K1. 3 sts.
**Knit 3 rows.
Next row: K1. M1. K1. M1. K1. 5 sts.
Knit 3 rows.
Next row: K1. M1. K3. M1. K1. 7 sts.
Knit 3 rows.
Next row: ssk. K3. K2tog. 5 sts.
Knit 3 rows.
Next row: ssk. K1. K2tog. 3 sts.
Knit 3 rows.
Next row: K1. K2tog. 2 sts.**
Rep from ** to ** once more.
Cast off.

FINISHING
Hagar Version
Try Hat on and pin Beard and Moustache in position at either side of Hat. Take Hat off and sew Beard and Moustache in position.

Helga Version
Braids: For each braid, cut 12 lengths of B 40" [101.5 cm] long. Fold strands in half and thread through bottom edge of Hat at each side edge. Divide strands into 3 groups and make Braid. Tie length of yarn around bottom of each Braid to secure.