Frankie's Knitted Hat Pattern: Matching Baby Set with Variegated Yarn Stripes

Frankie's Knitted Stuff

This hat matches the Pippi baby jacket and booties and features the same pattern of two knitted rows in a plain colour followed by two stocking stitch rows in variegated yarn. This gives a hardwearing and attractive fabric which is fun to knit.

Yarn and needles

I used thin sockweight 4 ply yarn and 3mm / US size 21/2 needles, working to a tension of about 14 stitches and 28 rows to 2" / 5cm2 in garter stitch. The smaller hat was knitted with My first Regia for the main colour (105m / 25g, shade 01812) and Trekking XXL sock yarn for the contrast (420m / 100g, shade 159). The larger hat is in Cygnet 4 ply for the main colour (205m / 50g, shade 2137) and Opal sock yarn for the contrast (425m / 100g, shade 6235). You will need about 10g of each colour for the small hat and 20g of each for the large one.

Measurements

Instructions are given for two sizes, to fit around 0-3 months and 3-6 months. The smaller size is given first, with variations for the larger size in brackets.

Knitting the Hat

The hat is knitted flat and then joined together; this gives a neater join than trying to line up the striped stich pattern when working in the round. Using the long tail method and the main colour, cast on 88 (104) stitches. Knit 10 (14) rows. Now change to the main pattern: Row 1: Contrast colour Knit. Row 2: Contrast colour Purl. Row 3: Main colour Knit. Row 4: Main colour Knit. Work in this pattern for 44 (52) rows. The knitting should now measure 4" (434") from the start. The top of the hat is knitted in the main colour only so cut the contrast yarn, leaving a long tail for sewing up. The Top This is worked in garter stitch. The next four rows are for the second size only. Next row: (K11, K2tog) eight times (96 sts). Next row: Knit. Next row: (K10, K2tog) eight times (88 sts). Next row: Knit. The rest of the pattern is the same for both sizes. Row 1: (K9, K2tog) eight times (80 sts). Row 2: (and all even numbered rows) Knit. Row 3: (K8, K2tog) eight times (72 sts). Row 5: (K7, K2tog) eight times (64 sts). Row 7: (K6, K2tog) eight times (56 sts). Row 9: (K5, K2tog) eight times (48 sts). Row 11: (K4, K2tog) eight times (40 sts). Row 13: (K3, K2tog) eight times (32 sts). Row 15: (K2, K2tog) eight times (24sts). Row 17: (K1, K2tog) eight times (16 sts). Row 19: (K2tog) eight times (8 sts).

After completing row 19, thread through the remaining eight stitches and fasten off. Again leave a long tail for sewing up. The decrease stitches will make a spiral on the top of the hat. Join the seam with mattress stitch, working as close to the edge as possible for a smooth, flat seam. Use the main colour for the top and brim and the contrast colour for the patterned section. When joining the pattern work first into the garter stitch stripe on one side and then the stocking stitch stripe on the other to line up the pattern.

Abbreviations

st / sts stitch / stitches Kknit K2tog knit two stitches together