Cute premie hat using dishcloth pattern

Just trying different things so I don't get totally bored.  This one turned out nice, I think.  I used the traditional dishcloth pattern, double high, on the main part of the hat.

After the hem (described below) I did two plain rows, the last to set up the tuck stitch.  It accidentally added a little decorative band.  Because tuck stitches are wider than tall I did 60 rows to get a decent height.  Can't judge the height while the piece is on the machine. 
This might look ok as an adult sized hat too.

That's the pattern in case you didn't know what I was talking about.

More MK Premie hats done with skinny yarn

I think I am up to 40 now.  They really do go fast and it's a nice project to seam while watching a movie.

These are done with a built-in pattern in the Brother 970, #47.  Any pattern will do.  I just like the Nordic look of this one.  The white cuffed one is 8" in circumference and 4" in height with the cuff turned up. The blue cuffed one is 9.5" in circumference and 5" including cuff in height with the cuff not turned up,  Funny how switching the main and contrast yarns give such a different look.  I'm really not too interested in the sizes because the nurses will figure out who fits which one.  Feel free to add or subtract stitches and rows.

A few years ago I purchased several cones of really skinny yarn.  I think I thought I was going to use it for double bed jacquard.  Sadly learning that technique is still on my bucket list.  So the size of the yarn is why the gauge is what it is.  These are done on a standard gauge machine.

Directions- in case you have some really skinny yarn too. For the blue main yarn version.

 Gauge 8 stitches and 10 rows = 1 inch on the patterned portion, not including cuff.

1.  Cast on 72 stitches with waste yarn every other needle by knitting one row.  Hang the cast on comb and some claw weights.

2.  Pull the other needles to work and knit about 5 more rows of waste yarn. (I like to use a loose tension for the waste yarn and for the first row of main yarn so that the stitches are easy to see and pick up.)

 3. Change to main yarn, Knit one row at a loose tension then change to tension 3 , knit as many rows as you want for half the cuff.  I did 14.  Change to Tension 5 and knit 14 rows.

4.  Remove the comb and  weights.  Hang the hem.  Put some claw weights on again.

6.  Set up the fairisle pattern.  Knit 40 rows at Tension 7 and cut a 12" yarn tail.

7.  Take the stitches off on this yarn tail.  Cinch up the stitches.  If you think the hole is too large, sew across a few times north- south and east- west.  Then mattress stitch the seam.

  I didn't put any pom pom or bow on the top of these.  I thought they looked fine as is.

Remove the waste yarn and you're done.  Aren't they cute?  Somehow little tiny knit things make you smile.

Notes:  By drastically changing tension on the hem and also the main part of the hat you have a nice hem that lays flat,  I don't reduce the number of stitches on the last row to save time.  It looks ok to me.  If you want, you could decrease the stitches across.  Although I like wool yarn, acrylic seems a better choice for laundering and softness.

Here is the stitch pattern.It would work with a 24 st punch card as well,