Teletubbie Hats & Costume Idea

Look up this pattern on

The antennae are made from tightly rolled rectangles of knitting and contain no wire supports or stuffing, making them perfectly safe for small children.

Sizes:
Ages are only approximate as children's actual measurements vary greatly and these hats are very stretchy because they have no ribbing or fairisle.

Small (1-2 ½ yrs) to fit head 45.5cm/17 ¾ inches circumference
Medium (3-5 yrs) to fit head 49.25cm/19 3/8 inches circumference
Large (6-8 yrs) to fit head 53cm/20 7/8 inches circumference

Materials:
The largest size hat takes a bit less than 192m or 210 yards of DK weight yarn. Samples are knit in the following yarns and colours.

Dipsy: Cleckheaton Country DK (8 ply to the Aussies), Colour 2168 (lime green), 100% wool

Po: Panda Disco DK, Colour 106 (bright red), 100% acrylic

Laa-Laa and Tinky Winky: Panda Magnum Courtelle DK, Colours bright yellow (sorry, I lost the label!) and 337 (deep purple) respectively, 100% acrylic
Set of 4mm dpns

Tension:
22sts and 30 rows to 10cm over st st on 4mm needles

The Basic Hat:
Instructions are for the smallest size with the larger sizes in brackets.
Cast on 96 (104, 112) sts and join to form a round.
Knit 5 (6, 7) inches st st (every round knit)
Decrease for top: [K10 (11, 12) K2tog] repeat to end of round
Knit 3 rounds
Decrease for top: [K9 (10, 11) K2tog] repeat to end of round
Knit 3 rounds
Continue decreasing in this manner until 72 (80, 80) sts remain, ending with a decrease round.
Continue decreasing every round until 8 sts remain.
Break yarn, thread through sts, pull tight to close hole, and fasten off neatly.
Sew in all loose ends.

The Antennae:

Dipsy: Using lime green, cast on 12 sts and work 16 rows st st, cast off. Roll tightly into a tube and stitch side and one end closed neatly. Sew open end very firmly to the top of the hat over the gather.

Po: Stalk - Using red cast on 12 sts and work 6 rows st st, cast off. Roll tightly into a tube and stitch down side neatly. Sew very firmly to the top of the hat over the gather. Circle - Cast on 12 sts and work 36 rows st st. Cast off. Roll tightly and stitch down side. Form into a circle and sew ends together. Sew to the top of the stalk.

Laa-Laa: Using bright yellow cast on 12 sts and work 66 rows st st. Roll tightly into a tube and stitch side and one end closed. About 3cm from the open end, bend the tube to the right and stitch in place so it forms a 90 degree angle (approximately). Wind into a spiral with a spike sticking out of the top (see picture above), stitching in place as you go. Sew open end very firmly to the top of the hat over the gather.

Tinky Winky: Stalk - Using purple cast on 12 sts and work 6 rows st st, cast off. Roll tightly into a tube and stitch down side neatly. Sew very firmly to the top of the hat over the gather. Triangle - Cast on 12 sts and work 42 rows st st, cast off. Roll tightly and stitch down side. Form into a circle and sew ends together, then, pinch into points at three places to form a triangle and stitch in place. Sew to the top of the stalk.

Costume Idea:
I haven't tried this idea but I think it should work well.

You'll need:
A tracksuit in your chosen colour, several sizes too large.
A square of grey or silver felt.
A small cushion insert
A pair of braces (suspenders) and
Approximately a yard (metre) of 1 inch elastic
A nappy pin

Have your child try on the track suit and shorten the sleeves and pants legs.
Sew the square of felt to the centre front of the top. Stitch one end of the elastic to the cushion insert. Have the child hold the cushion in front of their stomach, take the elastic around the back and then pin it to the other side of the cushion to hold it in place. Make sure it isn't too tight, then have them put on the pants, which they'll probably need to hold up with the braces (suspenders). Top with the tracksuit top and tubbie hat! Optional extras could be a pair of mittens to match and coloured sneakers.

If you try it, please send me a picture!

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