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Hand Knit Hat Supplies

I knit lots of hats. This page has pictures showing the supplies you will need for 99% of my hand knit hats.

Lucia

Materials I use to hand knit most hats.

Circulars knitting needles: I prefer 16" long needles for hats, but many people like 20" long needles. You will need the diameter appropriate for your yarn. Buy these first and use them to knit your swatch.
Double Pointed Needles (DPNs). You need to buy the diameter needle appropriate for your yarn. These are needed to finish the top of the hat. If you aren't certain what diameter to buy, hold off buying these until you reach the top of the hat.
Stitch markers: I'm cheap. I tie up bits of yarn, and slip those. The manufactured ring markers are easier to use and they last forever. (If you don't lose them, as I do.)

Click images to learn more about products from Joanne.com

Bamboo Circular Knitting Needles Size 7 16''

8 Rosewood Double Point Knitting Needles -Size #7

Yarn. You can knit this hat in any yarn that gives you a nice smooth, firm fabric. However, if you want to felt your hat, as I did, you must use a animal fiber that felts, like non-machine washable wool similar to the one shown to the right.

If you don't want to felt your hats, wool ease is a nice economical yarn to use. Do check your local yarn store for even nicer yarns. 1 ball will be sufficient for most hats.

Money saving tips: I don't buy new needles every time a pattern needs a different needle diameter. You can purchase kits with interchangeable needle points a kit like this one: Needlemaster Kit 200 *FREE SHIPPING on this item!* These kits save money in the long run, because have a wide range of diameters in one package and you can change the length of the circulars needles. Since you can use circular needles whenever straight needles are called for, you save even more. That said, I prefer the Denise Brand Kit because it you can make 16" short circular needles; Needlemaster only goes down to 20". The Denise needles were also much less expensive than the Needlemaster needles. I haven't found the Denise Kit on line or I'd hawk them. I bought mine at Knitche! in Downers Grove, Illinois.