Inspired by the Portland Frog, 2025
Yarn: 100g/75 yards super bulky weight yarn (I used Compass Moon Creations Vancouver base, color #105 New Updo). Yarn is similar and weight and feel to Malabrigo Rasta.
Gauge: 9 st and 13 rounds = 4” in stockinette stitch
Needles: 24” US 15/10 mm circular needle | one extra needle same size for 3 needle bind off
Notions: Small amount of white felt for two 2” circles, and two 1” buttons for eyes. Needle, thread, tapestry needle. I traced around my tape measure for my felt circles.
Finished measurements: 20” circumference, 8.5” tall. You can adjust circumference by adding or subtracting 4 stitches for your cast on (but you might need a shorter needle if you go much smaller).
Cast on 44 sts using long tail cast on. Join to work in the round, being careful not to twist. Work K2 P2 ribbing for 12 rounds. Continue in stockinette stitch (all knit) until hat measures 8” tall. Use 3 needle bind off to close top; I like to close mine from the outside (wrong sides together), leaving a decorative ridge along the top edge. Alternatively, you may choose to bind off and seam the top of your hat.
Sew in ends. Sew eyes to hat. I only sewed the buttons down; they held the felt in place and I didn’t feel the need to sew the felt down separately.
Notes: I cast on an extra stitch and decrease it away to make a tidy join. See this video tutorial on joining to work in the round
And here’s my 3 needle bind off tutorial
If you find my tutorials helpful, check out my tutorials page for lots more.
How do you start a frog hat? Rib it! Rib it!
Editing to add: No super bulky? For worsted weight yarn at 5 stitches/inch, try US 7/4.5 mm needles, and 96 stitches. You may want a shorter cable (16 or 20” needle), or 2 circulars or magic loop, if you find that a 24” needle makes you have to uncomfortably stretch your knitting. Knit ribbing for 4 inches, then continue as above.
PDXKnitterati 