Bonny baby hat – free knitting pattern
Accessories for babies make great gifts and are quick to knit using small amounts of left-over yarn. This hat uses two shades of DK weight yarn, although you could, of course, knit it entirely in the same colour.
The samples here were made using King Cole Merino Blend DK in shades 46 (Aran) and 1989 (Truffle). This is a pure wool, anti-tickle, machine washable yarn ideal for babies. The pattern is suitable for any double knitting weight yarn, and there are many DK baby yarns available in a variety of fibres and colours.
Size
To fit baby aged 0-3 (3-6, 6-12, 12-24) months
Materials
Approx 57 (63, 69, 76) m / 63 (69, 75, 83) yds double knitting yarn in col A for brim.
Approx 84 (92, 101, 111) m / 91 (100, 110, 122) yds double knitting yarn in col B for main body of hat.
3.25 mm (UK10, US3) needles, pair
3.75 mm (UK9, US5) dpns, set of four
(The main body of the hat can be knit using a circular needle and the magic loop method if you prefer, but DPNs will be required for the crown shaping due to the small number of stitches.)
Beg of rnd marker (optional)
Tapestry needle
Tension/Gauge
25 sts and 33 rows to 10cm on 3 ¾ mm needles.
| Beg | Beginning |
| Col | Colour |
| Dec | Decrease |
| g st | Garter stitch |
| K | Knit |
| K2tog | Knit 2 together |
| M1L | Make 1 left by inserting the needle from front to back under the loop that lies between the next 2 stitches and knitting it through the back loop |
| M1R | Make 1 right by inserting the needle from back to front under the loop that lies between the next 2 stitches and knitting it through the front loop |
| rnd | Round |
| st st | Stocking (stockinette) stitch |
| st(s) | Stitch(es) |
HAT
Brim (knit flat in garter stitch – every row knit)
Using 3.25mm and col A cast on 68 (74, 80, 86) sts.
Knit 4 rows
Inc row: K1, M1R, knit to last st, M1L, K1. 70 (76, 82, 88) sts
Knit 3 rows
Repeat inc row. 72 (78, 84, 90) sts
Knit 1 row
Main body (knit in the round in stocking stitch – every round knit)
Using 3.75mm needles, arrange your stitches on three DPNs and with the right side facing and col B join to work in the round.
Work st st until hat measures 10 (11, 12, 14) cm from beg.
Shape crown
Rnd 1: *K4, K2tog. Rep from * to end. 60 (65, 70, 75) sts
Rnd 2 and every alternate round: Knit
Rnd 3: *K3, K2tog. Rep from * to end. 48 (52, 56, 60) sts
Rnd 5: *K2, K2tog. Rep from * to end. 36 (39, 42, 45) sts
Rnd 7: *K1, K2tog. Rep from * to end. 24 (26, 28, 30) sts
Rnd 9: K2tog to end. 12 (13, 14, 15) sts
Rnd 11: K0 (1, 0, 1,), K2tog to end. 6 (7, 7, 8) sts
To finish
Break yarn and use a tapestry needle to thread through the remaining sts. Pull up tight and fasten off on the wrong side. Weave in all ends and block over a bowl or inflated balloon.
If you would like to download a printable version of this pattern, click here.
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Bonny Baby Hat © 2022. All rights reserved.
An original design by Sue Howarth t/a Woolly Good Stuff.
This pattern is for unlimited personal use. Please do not reproduce or sell the pattern, or sell items that are made from the pattern without the prior permission of Sue Howarth. Items made as gifts or for sale for charity are allowed. Please direct all pattern queries to Sue Howarth.
