Knitted Domo Kun Hat

I had a friend who absolutely loved the Domo Kun.  I thought it would be neat for me to knit him a Domo Kun hat so I started searching the internet for a free pattern.  I found children's backpacks, mittens, and toy patterns, but no FREE hat pattern (I spend so much money in yarns and needles and other supplies that I'm all about free patterns). So, I tried my hand at making a pattern of my own. After a few failed attempts, I finally made it! Disregard what looks like a color change in the second photo.  I think my camera's flash washed out the red color and made it look yellow.

So, this is the pattern I figured up. I thought if I was looking for a knitted domo hat pattern, there may be others out there too! You'll have to bear with me as this is the first pattern I've written and my knitting terminology still leaves something to be desired.

Materials I used:

•  5.5mm (U.S. Size 9) Needles
• Yarn Needle
• Bernat Premium (Worsted), 1 skein of each color: Mocha (MC), Holly Red, and White
• 2 Black buttons 1 inch in diameter

Gauge:  I haven't the first idea on how to measure my gauge yet, but if this helps, I didn't knit loosely nor too tight.

Pattern:

This pattern is worked flat then the sides are sewn up together

With the MC, cast on 80 stitches.
Rows 1-6: Work in 1x1 rib
Row 7: (Starting stockinette stitch) Knit across
Row 8: Purl across
Row 9, and every odd numbered row to 23: K28, start chart below, K28
Row 10 and every even row to 24: P28, continue chart, P28

I worked this stranded because I haven't quite mastered intarsia and all the different sections of yarn. So, if you're like me and are also going to work this stranded, be sure to tack in the long floats!




Continue in piece in stockinette stitch until it measures 5 1/2 inches from beginning (ending on a WS/purl row) then start decreasing as follows:
*K6, K2tog. repeat from * to end
Purl across
*K5, K2tog. repeat from * to end
Purl across
*K4, K2tog. repeat from * to end
Purl across
*K3, K2tog. repeat from * to end
Purl across
*K2, K2tog. repeat from * to end
Purl across
*K1, K2tog. repeat from * to end
Purl across
K2tog across

Break yarn, pull through stitches, and sew the sides up together.

Button Eye Placement:

From the top corners of the chart design, count up five rows and out one stitch.  Sew the button eyes around that stitch.

I hope anyone looking for a free domo kun hat pattern likes this or finds it useful in making their own pattern!  Happy knitting!