Pattern Share: Bebe Hat

Queenie and I have enjoyed the experience of collaborating on several projects.  Of all of them, creating and maintaining a blog has been one of the most difficult.  But I refuse to give up!  I love avoiding things that I have otherwise neglected, ie. houseplants, housework, phone calls I don't want to return, etc.  Also I hate enforcing deadlines on myself.  In a word, I'm a procrastinator, one of the best!

So where have we been?  What have we been up to?  Well, Queenie had been busy with a family event that took place in May.  Now that that is over, hopefully we'll see more of Queenie on the blog, sharing her experience as a beginning knitter.

I, on the other hand, have been quite busy doing....everything you can think of...including whipping up a simple pattern for a knitted baby hat.  Monterey gets a bit chilly sometimes, so it's always nice to have something warm to throw on a baby or toddler's head.  Here's the pattern, it is easy and ideal for beginners:

Bebe Hat
You will need:
Yarn:  I used Ella Rae Chunky Superwash.  Use any bulky yarn.
Needles:  Cast on with size 9 circular needle-16"
Switch to size 10.5 circular needle-16", after ribbing
Switch to size 10.5 double pointed needles for decreasing
Marker

K2TOG: Knit two consecutive stitches together


Pattern:
Cast on 48 (54 for toddler) using long tail cast on.  Being careful not to twist, knit into the first stitch to close the circle.  Place marker.
Ribbing: K2, P1
Repeat ribbing pattern until ribbing measures 1.5 inches.

Switch needle to size 10.5 circular.  Knit all rows for 3 (4, 5) inches.  (4 inches for toddler size, 5 inches to make a slouchy hat)

Begin decrease, and switch needle to size 10.5 dpn after the first four rows.  Make a note of which needle is the beginning of your row.


Row 1: K4, K2TOG repeat to marker.
Row 2 (and all even numbered rows): Knit to marker.
Row 3: K3, K2TOG repeat to marker.
Repeat Row 2 (switch needles here)
Row 5: K2, K2TOG repeat to marker.
Repeat Row 2
Row 7: K1, K2TOG, repeat.
Repeat Row 2
Row 9: K2TOG, repeat.

Cast off and weave in ends.

I made a matching poncho to go with the hat, using a pattern called Baby Gaga.  The flower was my own pattern.

When gift giving, be sure to include washing instructions!  Happy knitting!