Turkey Hat

Here is a cool hat for kids or free thinking adults which looks like a turkey. In USA we have a harvest festival day to celebrate the harvest and how the Native American peoples saved the first colony in New England from starvation. The main course is traditionally turkey, so the hat symbolizes the wonderful meal people try to make.

Materials:

2 oz. brown wool assorted colors of yarn left overs number 6 American needles number 8 American needles

Directions: (child's hat) ROW 1-12 Cast on 60 stitches on number 6 needles. Knit one, purl one pattern for 12 rows.

Change to number 8 needles and knit in stocking stitch for 20 rows. Check to see if hat will encompass childs head. The best way recommended by traditional knitters is to see if the length from ribbing is as long as the wearer's hand from palm bottom to middle finger tip. If more length is needed knit a few more rows. (Yes I know people say my patterns drive them nuts.)

SHAPING: When the length is proper then begin the decrease rows. *Knit two together, knit one, knit one.* Repeat * * across the row for 40 remaining stitches. Knit two rows plain stocking stitch. Then *Knit two together, knit one, knit one.* Repeat * * across the row for 20 remaining stitches. Knit a row in stocking stitch. Then knit two together across the next row. Knit a row in stocking and then pull yarn through remaining 10 stitches and draw together. Stitch hat together down the back.

At this point you now have a nice brown cap. To mkae it look like a turkey take the number six needles and pick up five stitches along the back curve of the hat. Knit in stocking stitch for ten rows. Then knit two together across for next two rows. Pull yarn through last stitch to bind off. Now you have a tail feather!

Repeat tail feathers in different colors five times to give your turkey a nice tail.

For the Turkey's head pick up five stitches toward the front of the hat and knit even for three rows. Then increase two in front of head and knit even for three rows. Bind off. Embroider an eye on both sides of the turkey's head. Add a wattle in red yarn.

Great now you have a wonderful seasonal hat. Or you can stuff it with tissue for a center piece. When we went through the grocery store with my son wearing his turkey hat, we got the nicest complements!

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