Boy's or Girl's Helmet Pattern

MATERIALS:
Our helmet was knitted with P & B Speedwell, Quick Knit Wool and we found we could get a helmet out of 2 ozs. when we used oddments of other colours of Speedwell for stripes in the brim, as illustrated. When one colour was used throughout, 4 ozs. were needed. We made samples also in Beehive Caressa and used the same quantities as for Speedwell. To be sure you will get the correct size and tension, be careful to make your choice between the two wools recommended. You will also need: Two No. 6 and two No. 5 Beehive Knitting Needles. One Button.

HEAD SIZE: 20 to 21 ins.

Tension: 4½ sts. and 6 rows = 1 inch in Stocking st. with No. 5 needles and either of the wools specified.

Beginning with brim, with No. 6 needles and Main Colour, cast on 68 sts. for all sizes. Due to the elasticity of the knitting, the helmet will stretch to fit the head sizes as given above.
Knit 1 row. Using oddments, knit 14 more rows, knitting 2 rows for each stripe.
With Main Colour, knit 2 rows. (17 rows in all have been knitted).
Change to No. 5 needles and proceed:—
1st row: K1. *P2. K2. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. P2. K1.
2nd row: K3. *P2. K2. Repeat from * to last st. K1.
Repeat these 2 rows of (K2. P2) ribbing, 5 times.
Change to No. 6 needles and continue even in ribbing until work from cast-on edge measures 6½ ins. (4 yrs.—6¾ ins.) (6 yrs.—7 ins.) or desired length, ending with 2nd row of ribbing. Proceed:—
1st row: K1. *P2tog. K2tog. Repeat from * to last 3 sts. P2tog. K1.
2nd row: K2. *P1. K1. Repeat from * to last st. K1.
3rd row: K1. *P1. K1. Repeat from * to end of row.
4th row: As 2nd row.
5th row: K1. *P2tog. Repeat from * to end of row.
6th row: *K2tog. Repeat from * to end of row. Break wool. Thread end through remaining sts. Draw up and fasten securely. Sew up back seam.

EAR FLAPS: With No. 6 needles and Main Colour, cast on 13 sts. for all sizes. Knit even in Garter st. for 2¼ ins.
Next row: K1. K2tog. Knit to end of row. Repeat this row to 5 sts. on needle. Knit 1 row. Cast off.
Make another ear flap exactly the same to 5 sts. on needle. Knit even in Garter st. for 2 ins. on these 5 sts.
Next row: (buttonhole). K2. Wl.fwd. K2tog. K1. Knit 2 rows. Cast off. Sew the cast-on edge of the ear flaps along the last ridge of the brim, 9 sts. each side of back seam. Sew button on one ear flap to correspond to buttonhole on other.

CORD: With No. 6 needles and Main Colour cast on 20 sts. loosely. Cast off loosely. This should measure 6 ins. in length, when stretched. Sew cord to top of crown. Make and sew a pom­pom to other end of cord. For making pom-pom, see patternbook page.