Little Sprout Baby / Toddler Hat
A blend of Silk and Bamboo may seem like an unusual choice for a baby hat, but it's wonderfully soft and smooth - and I had some left over from my Primrose Path sweater. I also have five, count'em FIVE coworkers with babies ranging from a year old to due in five months. Clearly it was time to get knitting. This hat is inspired by the Umbilical Cord Hat in the book Stitch N Bitch by Debbie Stoller; it is a finer gauge and the top decoration is different.
Materials:
1 skein Ella Rae Bamboo Silk $1~\mathrm{US}\neq\!5~/~3.75~\mathrm{mm}~16^{\circ}$ circular needle A second #5circ, any length, or #5 DPNs Gauge: 21 sts/4" in in stockinette Size: $16^{\circ}$ (18") diameter
Instructions:
CO 84 (96) sts. Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist. Knit until the hat measures about $5^{\circ}$ from cast-on row. Switch to knitting on two circs or DPNs. Begin decreases: Row 1: K5(6), k2tog around. Row 2: K. Row 3: K4(5), k2tog around. Row 4: K. Row 5: K3(4), k2tog around. Row 6: K. Row 7: K2(3), k2tog around. Next row is for $18^{\bullet}$ hat only: Row 8: K2, k2tog around. You now have 36 sts left. Next row: K1, K2tog around. (24 sts) Next row: K2tog around. (12 sts) Next row: K2tog around. (6 sts) Slip rem sts onto one circ or one DPN and knit approx 1”' ofi-cord. Then begin knitting back and forth in garter st for leaf Rows 1 and 2: K. Row 3: Kfb, K1, Kfb, Kfb, K1, Kfb. (10 sts) Rows 4, 5, 6: K. Row 7: K2tog, K6, K2tog. Row 8: K Row 9: K2tog, K4, K2tog Row 10: K Row 11: K2tog, K2, K2tog Row 12: K Row 13: K2tog, K2tog. Row 14: K2tog. Draw yarn through last st and weave in ends.
