<Living Crafts Blog

Pattern by Fiona Duthie -Photos by Nicole Spring

Remember our Living Crafts Knitted Child’s Hat from last year?

Well, the cool weather is upon us again, and just in time, the Living Crafts Knitted Child’s Hat is now also available in sizing for babies- a quick knit and a great gift for the fall and winter babies in our lives.

Our baby hat is soft and warm, covering and protecting our littlest ones’ ears and neck from cold winds and drafts.

Materials: 1 Skein Noro Kochoran yarn, 50% Wool, 30% Angora & 20% Silk

Note –one skein will be enough to knit 2 hats. The Noro Kochoran has a beautiful angora halo when handwashed gently in a mild soap. It also felts only moderately when put through the washing machine and dryer- try going up one size and washing it for an even more warmth and softness!

Needles: size 8 (5mm) Straight and Double Pointed needle sets

Gauge: 14 stitches and 22 rows equals 4 inch square

Instructions given for two sizes:  The beautiful baby is pictured here at both 3 months and 6 months, wearing the 3-6 month size.

3-6 months years, measures 14 inches at widest part of head

(6-12 months, shown in parentheses), measures 16 inches at widest part of head

Instructions:

Using straight needles, cast on 28 (32 stitches).

Knit 12 rows garter stitch (knit every row). At the end of last row, turn work and cast on 20 (22) stitches. 48 (54) stitches total.

Evenly divide stitches while transferring onto dpn’s. Turn knitting.   Place a marker to show beginning of round.

Purl one round, joining to work in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.

Knit one round.

Purl one round

Knit every round until piece measures 4 inches from hat front edge.

(6-12 month size only- K7, K2together, repeat to end. Knit 1 round)

Both sizes:

K6, K2together, repeat to end of round.  Knit one round.

Repeat these two rounds, knitting one less stitch before the K2together, in each decrease round, up to and including:

K1, K2together, repeat to end of round. Knit one round.

K2together, repeat to end of round. (6 stitches remain)

Note: for a flat topped hat- break yarn, pass yarn end through remaining stitches, pull tight and sew in end yarns.

K2together, repeat to end of round. (3 stitches remain)

Pass stitches onto 1 dpn. Knit 4 rounds I-cord. Break yarn, pass through remaining stitches and sew in end yarns.

Make two cords, each 10 inches long, either by knitting 3 stitch I-cord, braiding or fingerknitting,

Sew one end of each cord to corner of ear cover to make the underchin tie.

Sew in all end yarns, and wrap your baby (or someone else’s!)  in some woolly love!

Fiona Duthie is a regular contributor to Living Crafts.

In her studio on Salt Spring Island, BC, she creates in a bountiful beauty of color, wool, and texture, inspired by the natural world. Fiona designs fine feltwork, felting and knitting patterns, gives workshops in natural craft, and runs her hand dyed, artisan fibre company, Kattikloo. You can read more about her fibers, projects and creative living at www.kattikloo.com and on Facebook.

by Jill McNeal

This boho mother-daughter hat can be made with or without the pom-pom, and is soft, warm and luxurious. You and your daughter can start together and each knit your own!

SIZES:

Ladies S/M; Child’s M/L; Child’s S/M

MATERIALS:

1 Skein Ozark Opulent (by Ozark Handspun 50 yds) Name: Mystic
1 Skein Big Baby (by Alpaca with a Twist 82 yds) Color: 5004
(Colors shown are for model)

GAUGE: 12 stitches & 16 rows = 4 inch square

NEEDLES: Size 10 16″ circular, Size 10 double pointed

HELPFUL TOOLS: Ring Marker & Darning Needle

TO BEGIN: Cast-on 55 (51, 47) sts with Ozark

Important Note:

Before joining in the round, make sure all stitches are in a uniform circumference. Place ring marker on right needle (pass ring from round to round).

PART ONE: Brim of Hat
Round 1 thru 9 (8, 7): Moss Stitch All Rounds (knit 1, purl 1. The next round should place knits on top of purls and purls on top of knits)

PART TWO: Body of Hat (all sizes)
Round 1 thru 6: Change to Big Baby & Knit
Round 7 thru 11: Change to Ozark, knit 1st round and Moss Stitch remaining 4 rounds
Rounds 12 thru 15: Change to Big Baby and Knit
Rounds 16 thru 19: Change to Ozark, knit 1st round & Moss Stitch remaining 3 rounds

Next Round(s): Change to Big Baby and knit each round until the hat measures from cast-on round as follows:
Ladies S/M : 7.5 ins;
Child’s M/L: 7 ins;
Child’s S/M: 6.5 ins

PART THREE: Shaping Crown
Woman’s S/M:
Round 1: Knit 9, k 2tog (5 times), 50 sts.
Round 2: Knit 8, k 2tog (5 times), 45 sts.

Child’s M/L:
Round 1: Knit 9, knit 2tog, knit to end (50 sts)
Round 2: Knit 8, k 2tog (5 times), 45 sts.

Child’s S/M: Round 1: Knit 8 knit 2tog, knit 17, knit 2tog, knit to end (45 sts)
Decrease Rounds (All sizes)
Needle Note: When yarn becomes too tight to work on circ. needles, change to dbl pointed
Round 1: Knit 7, k 2tog (5 times) 40 sts.
Round 2: Knit 6, k 2tog (5 times) 35 sts.
Round 3: Knit 5, k 2tog (5 times) 30 sts
Round 4: Knit 4, k 2tog (5 times) 25 sts.
Round 5: Knit 3, k 2tog (5 times) 20 sts.
Round 6: Knit 2, k 2tog (5 times) 15 sts.
Round 7: Knit 1, k 2tog (5times) 10 sts
Cut yarn & run darning needle thru remaining 10 stitches.

Make Pompom:

Cut 4-5 inch length pieces with remaining Ozark yarn. Take 1/2 of pieces and stack together and tie in the middle with a piece of Ozark yarn. Stack remaining length together and lay criss-cross in middle of first stack. Tie stacks together, shake and attach pompom to top of hat. Weave in tails.

This fun tutorial by Rachel Wolf can be a great project to do with your child(ren). Also, you may already have tiny wooden ornaments or half-finished projects waiting to become your new zipper pulls! Scroll down on her post and check out the Spy Hat she has made; very unique with her beautiful yarn.  Tutorial for the Spy Hat is available both in English and Dutch.  Rachel is the contributing designer for the recycled sweater gnome hat in the Fall 2010 issue of Living Crafts, pictured below.

This darling pattern is offered by Stitch Nation and Vogue Knitting. To download free pattern please visit
Britex Fabrics Blog. Enjoy!