Knitted Alien Cat Hat (Free Knitting Pattern)

Posted by CraftFoxes Staff on Feb 26, 2016

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If your cat ever seemed like a space alien you can make this hat to turn him or her into one for real. (Or at least close to it.)

Knitting around a flexible pipe cleaner allows your cat’s third eye to peer in whatever direction you choose.

Excerpted with permission from: Cats in Hats: 30 Knit and Crochet Hat Patterns for Your Kitty.

Method: Knit
Skill Level: Intermediate

Size
To fit an average adult cat
Ear opening: 2-1/2 in. (6 cm)
Width of hat between ears: 2-1/2 in. (6 cm)

Supplies
35 yd (32 m) worsted weight yarn in A (green)
Scrap of worsted weight yarn in B (black)
Size 7 (4.5 mm) knitting needles
Size 3 (3.25 mm) DPNS
Size G6 (4 mm) Crochet hook
1 x 3 in. (7.5 cm) piece of pipe cleaner (preferably in a corresponding color to your yarn)
Yarn needle
Polyester Fiberfill

Step 1

Zoom Image

Base
Using yarn A and size 7 (4.5 mm) needles, cast on 3 sts, leaving a 25 in. (64 cm) tail.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2: Kfb, k to last st, kfb. (5 sts)
Rep last 2 rows five more times. (15 sts)
First Ear Hole
Row 13: K2, bind off next 11 sts, k last st.
Row 14: K2, cast on 11 sts, k2.
Middle Section
Knit 16 rows.
Second Ear Hole
Row 31: K2, bind off next 11 sts, k last st.
Row 32: K2, cast on 11 sts, k2.
Row 33: Knit.
Row 34: K2tog, k to last 2 sts, k2tog. (13 sts)
Rep last 2 rows five more times. (3 sts)
Bind off, leaving a 25 in (64 cm) tail.

To create ties, use crochet hook and 25 in. (64 cm) tail, pull a loop through each stitch on bind off edge (3 loops), yo, pull one loop through, work 25ch, pull end through loop tightly, and snip extra yarn. Repeat with other 25 in. (64 cm) tail.

Step 2

Eye
Using yarn A and two size 3 (3.25 mm) dpns, cast on 4 sts, leaving a 15 in (35cm) tail. Knit a row. Do not turn needle. Holding piece of pipe cleaner in place, slide the 4 sts to other end of needle, bring yarn around from the back, encasing the pipe cleaner, and knit the 4 sts again. This forms the i-cord technique. Using the i-cord method, knit around pipe cleaner until it is enclosed, leaving ½ in. (1 cm) exposed at the bottom
Next Row: Kfb of each st. (8 sts). Divide sts onto three dpns and join to work in the round
Next rnd: Kfb of each st. (16 sts) Knit 3 rnds.
Next rnd: K2tog around. (8 sts) Lightly stuff with polyester fiberfill.
Next rnd: K2tog around. (4sts) Cut yarn and pull through remaining loops. Weave in end.

Using yarn B and yarn needle, run several long stiches on center of eye ball to create pupil. Weave in ends.

Step 3

Assembly
Center the eye on the base. Poke the exposed pipe cleaner through the base, using a knitting needle as a guide. Bring the exposed end back up through the base and twist it around itself securely. Using a yarn needle and the cast on tail of the i-cord, stitch the eye to the base along the cast on edge of the i-cord. Pull both tails through to underside of the hat, and knot the ends to anchor the eye.