Easy Fun Panda Hat

Isn't this panda hat so cute! does it make you want to knit one for yourself?
To knit this panda hat, you only need basic skills: Cast on, knit,purl,  decreases, bind off.

Sizes 3 years (4-5 years, 6-7 years, Adult)

Finished Measurements
Hat circumference: 16 (18, 20, 201/4)" (40.5 [45.5, 51,51.5 ] cm)
Materials
1 skein white double knitting type yarn
Size 7 (4.5mm) needles
Yarn needle

Small amount of black double knitting yarn for features
Small amount of red double knitting yarn for tongue.

Hat

Cast on 72 (80, 88,97) stitches. Work in stockinette stitch (knit 1 row, purl 1 row) until the piece measures 41⁄2 (5, 51⁄2, 51/2)" (11.5 [12.5, 14, 14]cm) from the beginning.

Shape Crown
Row 1: *K6, k2tog; repeat from * to end-63 (70, 77,84 ) stitches.
Row 2: and all wrong side rows Purl.
Row 3: *K5, k2tog; repeat from * to end-54 (60, 66, 72) stitches.
Row 5: *K4, k2tog; repeat from * to end-45 (50, 55, 60) stitches.
Row 7: *K3, k2tog; repeat from * around-36 (40, 44, 48) stitches.
Row 9: *K2, k2tog; repeat from * around-27 (30, 33, 36) stitches.
Row 11: *K1, k2tog; repeat from * around-18 (20, 22, 24) stitches.
Row 13: K2tog around-9 (10, 11, 12) stitches.
Cut the yarn, leaving a long end. Use the yarn needle to thread the end through the remaining stitches. Draw together tightly and fasten off and sew seam.

Eyes – Make 2
With black, cast on 21 sts loosely. Knit 3 rows. Pass all sts, 1 at a time, over first st. Cut yarn,
leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining st; pull to tighten. Embroider whites of eyes and black french knot in centre.

Ears(make 2)
With black cast on 20 stitches.
Row 1: Knit.
Row 2 : Purl
Row 3 :Knit
Row 4 : Purl
Row 5: k2tog, k 6; k2tog; k2tog, k 6 k2tog
Row 6 : k2tog, k4, k2tog, K2tog, K4, k2tog
Row 7: k2tog, k2, k2tog, k2tog, k2,k2tog
Cut the yarn, leaving a long end. Slip 4sts onto a second needle. Hold both needles parallel to each other and use the yarn end to graft the stitches together

NoseWith white, cast on 15 sts. Work in St st for 8 rows.
Next Row (RS) *K2tog; rep from * to last st, k 1 – 8 sts.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining sts; pull tightly and secure.
Sew Nose seam.

Tip of nose With black, cast on 5 sts. Knit 2 rows. Purl 1 row.
Next Row K2tog, k 1, k2tog – 3 sts.
Next Row Purl.
Next Row K3tog – 1 st.
Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread tail through remaining st; pull to tighten.
sew Tip to Nose.

Tongue With red, cast on 3 sts. Work 4 rows in St st. K3tog. Thread tail through remaining st; pull
to tighten.
FinishingUsing photo as a guide, sew knit Eyes and Ears in place. Stuff Nose and sew in place.
With black, embroider mouth. Sew Tongue to
mouth.

For those who prefer to knit with circular needles the hat pattern is the same a froggy hat a previous post on this blog. http://dianne-jones.blogspot.com/2012/01/easy-fun-froggy-hat.html