Train Track Baby Hat

This little hat is made to coordinate with my Train Track Baby Blanket. Instructions are given in several sizes. The sleepers are formed by elongated stitches that are picked up on the opposite rail.

Sizes:
Preemie – 10″ circumference, 5.5″ high
Newborn – 12″ circumference, 6″ high
6 month – 14″ circumference, 7″ high
12 month – 16″ circumference, 7.5″ high
Toddler – 18″ circumference, 8″ high

Gauge:
18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette

Materials:
0.7 to 3 oz (40 to 150 yards) of soft worsted weight yarn
Size 8 (5 mm) 47″ circular needle (for magic loop) or set of size 8 (5 mm) double pointed needles
Yarn needle

Colors:

At least two colors are needed to make the hat, but up to four can be used. The example has three.

Abbreviations:
k = knit
p = purl
k2tog = knit two together
ssk = slip one knitwise, slip one knitwise, insert left needle into front of both slipped stitches and knit
kw4w – knit with four wraps: insert right needle to knit, but wrap yarn four times and pull through
dws – drop with slip: slip the stitch with the extra wraps purlwise, dropping the extra wraps. There will be a single elongated stitch.
spw – slip purlwise

Pattern:
Start with color for ribbing and below track.
Preemie – Cast on 48
Newborn – Cast on 56
6 month – Cast on 64
12 month – Cast on 72
Toddler – Cast on 80

Join to knit in the round. Divide stitches between double pointed needles or needles for a magic loop. Divide with multiples of 8 on each needle.

Ribbing (6 rounds for preemie size, 8 rounds for other sizes): k2, p2 repeated across round

Preemie – 6 rounds of knit
Newborn – 8 rounds of knit
6 month – 10 rounds of knit
12 month – 10 rounds of knit
Toddler – 12 rounds of knit

Track:
Repeat each instruction across the round:
Change to track color.
Rnd 1: k
Rnd 2: k1, kw4w, k2
Change to between-rail color.
Rnd 3: k1, dws, k2
Rnd 4: k1, spw, k2
Rnds 5 and 6: Repeat rnd 4 two more times.
Change to track color.
Rnd 7: k
Rnd 8: k
Change to above track color.

Knit until the hat measures the desired height for size including the ribbing:
Preemie – 4.5″ high
Newborn – 5″ high
6 month – 6″ high
12 month – 6.5″ high
Toddler – 7″ high

Crown:
Repeat across the round
Rnd 1: k2,  k2tog, ssk, k2
Rnd 2: k
Rnd 3: k1,  k2tog, ssk, k1
Rnd 4: k
Rnd 5: k2tog, ssk
Cut the yarn with several inches to work with.  With a yarn needle, pull the yarn through all the remaining loops, secure and weave in end.

Edits:
12/17/2015 – replaced a broken link for Magic Loop method