Halloweenie Beanie
Wanting an adorable hat to donate to my local NiCU ward, I came up with this most basic of patterns. Sized for preemies and babes, you can make it even smaller by using tinier needles. There's no real gauge, because as the NICU nurses I love so dearly have said over and over, these gorgeous babes come in all sizes! I borrowed the basic stem idea from what CAP did a few Halloween's ago, sizing it a tad different for a smaller top. I don't imagine this type of hat hasn't been done before, this is just my take on it.
Gather Your Supplies
· One skein orange yarn (l used Lion Brand Acrylic). When donating to hospitals, be sure to use machine washable/dryable yarn, and no wool. Cotton is usually okay, but most hospitals want to steer clear of animal fibers for the babes because of potential allergies. A small amount of brown yarn. Size 8 needles (l use straight needles for preemie hats and seam them up at the end, but you can use DPN's if so inclined). A darning needle. Stitch markers (optional for you fancy pants knitters). One size 10 needle (for the stem).
Pattern Stitch
Row 1: \*Knit 4, purl $1^{\star}$ . Repeat to end. Row 2: \*Knit 1, purl $4^{\ast}$ . Repeat to end.
Getting Down To Business
Cast on 40 (50, 60) stitches. I like to use the long-tail cast on, but any method works. Knit 1x1 rib for 1". This can be folded up on preemies or left down, depending on how the hospital chooses. Switch to pattern stitch and knit another $3\;\%^{"}\;(4^{"},\,4\;\%^{"}).$
Decreasing:
Row 1: K2tog across the entire row. Row 2: purl all stitches. Repeat these two rows until you have under 7 stitches on the needles. Break yarn, leaving a 12" tail. Using a darning needle, weave yarn through stitches on needle and pull tight. f knit on straight needles, sew open end shut.
Making The Pumpkin Stalk:
Using your brown yarn, cast on seven stitches to the size 10 needle. Row 1: Grab a size 8 needle that you were using on the hat, and for each stitch, knit into the front, then the back, then the front again (thanks to CAP again for the idea). Row 2: purl all stitches. Bind off all stitches.
Finishing
With tails from the pumpkin stalk, sew the thing to the top of the hat. Weave ends back up into the stalk, and you're done! Make as many as you can between now and Halloween, and then drop them off for the babes ... you'd be surprised at just how grateful the nurses (and family members) will be!
