20 February 2012

perfectly simple...and free!


simplicity...

“In character, in manner, in style, in all things, the supreme excellence is simplicity.”


...even in baby hats


today i offer you 
supreme excellence
in a baby hat...

delightfully simple,
versatile,
and easy to fit...


this cap has a stretchy, ribbed band
that can be folded up,
or worn pulled down over baby's ears...

its crown comes to a
jaunty little point...

it looks great in any color...

can be embellished if you wish...


and the pattern is perfectly free...





a perfectly simple baby hat...
by pamela w allen


materials:
  • 1-skein of dk or worsted yarn, preferably one with a good memory and stitch definition (I used classic elite's wool bam boo on the hat above--it is simply luscious knit in cashmere or merino!)
  • 1-16" circular, size 6/4mm
  • 1 set of size 6/4mm dpn's
  • darning needle
gauge:  

5 stitches per inch in stockinette

size:  

baby/toddler (the ribbing measures 5-5.5", flat, and stretches quite a bit)...this hat is easily adjusted to fit anyone (see my notes below)!

how to:

With the circular (or set of dpn's, if you wish), cast on 68 stitches--think of it as 17 groups of 4--with your preferred method (I use long-tail).  Join and work in k2, p2 rib for 2" (or more, if you wish).  

The next round you will knit, increasing every fourth stitch, thus:
K4, M1 (I use the backward loop method) to end--85 (17x5) stitches.  

Work in stockinette stitch, until the hat measures about 4 inches.

Now you will begin shaping the crown by decreasing five stitches every other round:
  1. *K15, K2tog, repeat from* to end--80 stitches.
  2. Knit the round.
  3. *K14, K2tog, repeat from* to end--75 stitches.
  4. Knit the round.
Continue in this way, decreasing every other round, changing to dpn's when necessary, until you have five stitches left on your needles.  Decrease one more stitch and work the remaining 4 stitches in i-cord for an inch-or-so.  Break yarn and pull it through the remaining stitches with your darning needle.  Darn in end at ribbing.
Block flat using steam and a press cloth, being careful not to stretch the ribbing.


et voilà!




as you see, this pattern is very easy to size up or down, or to adjust to different weights of yarn...just remember to cast on in multiples of four for the ribbing, and increase to multiples of five for the body!  also, this hat is perfect when unadorned, but it does lend itself well to stripes and other decorations (like the star and button on the hat pictured)...enjoy!!!



© 2012 pamela w allen designs...I am happy to share this pattern with knitters. It may be used for non-commercial, personal or charity knitting. It is not to be reproduced in electronic/digital format without written permission.

20 comments:

  1. Simply adorable. Thanks for sharing it. Bernadettebear

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  2. This is beautiful. Thank you so much. I will be making it. Do you have instructions for the knitted star?

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  3. AH! I just purchased your Sea Star hat pattern which includes the pattern for the 5 pointed star. Your work is exquisite. Thank you again!

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    Replies
    1. Well...thanks so much! I hope you enjoy the pattern. It is one of my favorite little hats, the Sea Star Hat... Happy knitting!

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  4. All of your patters are beautiful. I'm truly in love with this hat!
    I haven't tried knitting with circular needles (I will with this pattern!) but, can you tell me how I can make this with straight needles?

    Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. If you simply follow the instructions without joining the work in the round you should be able to make it with straight needles. But it is so much easier on a circular! Give it a try!

      Happy knitting...

      Pamela

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  5. Hello! I have just cast on 68 stitches with my circular needles and there isn't enough stitches to allow me to join them up. My needles are 16" as per the pattern but they still are too long. Should I buy dpns for this pattern instead?

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    Replies
    1. Sorry I didn't see this sooner! Yes, dpn's would work, or you can use a 12" circular. Type of yarn can have something to do with this. If you were using a non-wool yarn such as cotton, it might make it more difficult to join because the yarn has no stretch. Sometimes it helps to do a few rows back and forth before joining.

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  6. I have the same question as Leis above! I don't understand how I can join with a 16 " needle and 68 stitches. Is there a trick?

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  7. The type of yarn you are using can have something to do with this. If you are using a non-wool yarn such as cotton, it might be more difficult to join because the yarn has no stretch. Sometimes it helps to do a few rows back and forth before joining in a case like this. Otherwise, you might try a 12" circular or dpn's. I assume you are using a dk or worsted weight yarn?

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  8. Beautiful hat! I have some DPN I'd like to use for this project. They are size 3. Would you be able to give me some input as to how many stitches to cast on and when to increase and decease? I'd like to make the baby size. My gauge is 8 stitches per inch. Thanks!

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  9. I am so glad you like the hat, and I hope that you have success with the pattern!
    A good article that might help you with adjusting to your finer gauge is here: http://knitty.com/ISSUEsummer05/FEATsum05TBP.html
    Hope this helps!

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  10. I just downloaded this adorable pattern but didn't get the star pattern, which really makes the hat. How can I get that pattern? Thanks for your help.
    Cynthia Terry 11/21/16

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  11. hi, I love this hat and would love to make the star, do you have the pattern for it since you offered the hat pictured with the star for free? i notice others have asked for it and there has been no reply so i thought i would give it a go! thank you, Anna

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  12. Hi how do I make the star please. It’s perfect for a little boy x

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  13. Hi - "Work in stockinette stitch, until the hat measures about 4 inches" - Do you mean 4" from cast-on edge?

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  14. Can you help me convert this to knitting with straight needles? ( lnstern@bellsouth.net)

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comments are welcome!

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