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Birdhouse Hat

This hat was originally designed by Marie-M.  She created a beautiful little hat and knitted the little bird too.  Here is her original pattern.

I decided that the design was so lovely I would like to knit lots of them, but I didn’t want to knit the little birds.  So I had a look on Ebay and I found some little bird buttons, they cost just £1.24 for 50 (2015) and that included postage!

When the buttons arrived, they were beautifully crafted, made from wood and really well painted. They were a joy to sew on to the birdhouse hats.  They worked so well, I thought I would see what other designs were available.  I am now suffering with a serious addiction to buying little wooden buttons, and my addiction has spread to fellow hatters, so be warned!

Instructions:
Use 4 mm needles, cast on 28sts in double knit wool (although if you use a coarse DK wool, the house will sit better on the bottle.)
Rows 1 & 2: Knit
Rows 3-14: Stocking stitch

The Roof: All knitted in garter stitch
Rows 1 & 2: Knit
Row 3: K5, K2tog twice, K10, K2tog twice, K5 (24 sts)
Row 4 & following alternate rows, knit
Row 5: K4, K2tog twice, K8, K2tog twice, K4 (20sts)
Row 7: K3, K2tog twice, K6, K2tog twice, K3 (16sts)
Row 9: K2, K2tog twice, K4, K2tog twice, K2 (12sts)
Row 11: K1, K2tog twice, K2, K2tog twice, K1 (8sts)
Row 13: K2tog 4 times (4sts)
Row 15: K2tog twice (2sts)
Cast off.  (You can carry on here with a crochet hook and chain the 4cm hanging loop)

The Hole: diameter 2cms.
Cast on 10 sts in black and knit one row
Thread all the stitches onto a tapestry needle. pull up tightly to form a circle, and tie a knot
Opening can also be in crochet or felt.

Making Up:
Sew on the hole as illustrated
Sew on a bird button in a matching cotton
Sew up the back seam (if you have already crocheted the loop, keep it on the right side!)
Add a crocheted 4cm hanging hook if you have not done this already
Have a look here for the buttons