Thursday, March 18, 2010

Free pattern: Garden Patch Hats



I offer to you the Itty Bitty' Pumpkin, Itty Bitty' Peach, and Itty Bitty' Eggplant. Change the color--think apples, oranges, tomatoes--and knit a garden for that special baby. A link to a downloadable .pdf file is provided at the bottom of this pattern, and in the sidebar to the right. If you like my patterns, follow my blog and you'll always know when I offer a new one. Thanks!


To fit sizes 0-3 months (6-9 months)
Yarn:
1 ball Debbie Bliss cashmerino aran:
300033 (orange) for Itty Bitty Pumpkin
330022 (peach) for Itty Bitty Peach
330014 (purple) for Itty Bitty Eggplant
Cascade 220 Superwash
about 30 yards 866 Forest Heather, for Lil’ Pumpkin and Lil’ Peach
Plymouth Encore Worsted Weight
about 30 yards 1232 light green for Lil’ Eggplant
Needles:
Set of 5 size 7 double-point needles
Or 1 40-inch size 7 circular needle, for magic loop, and
2 size 7 double-point needles
OR SIZE TO OBTAIN GAUGE


Crochet hook size F or G
Notions:
Stitch marker, tapestry needle
Gauge—21 stitches and 28 rows to 4 inches



Knit leaves:
Here’s a great tutorial for crochet chain provisional cast on:
Using a couple of yards of waste yarn, crochet a chain of about 70 (75) stitches, to be used as a provisional cast-on for the leaves. Do not pull the last chain stitch too tightly, as you will undo the chain later. Break yarn. Mark this end of the yarn. (I like to tie a loose knot close to the end.)
Using dpns and starting three stitches from one end of the chain, and using yarn designated for the leaves, pick up 5 stitches. Turn.




Row 1: K1, ktfb, K1, ktfb, K1. (7 stitches) Turn.
Row 2: (wrong side) P all stitches.
Row 3: K2, ktfb, K1, ktfb, K2 (9 stitches) Turn
Row 4: P all stitches
Row 5: SSK, K5, k2tog. (7 stitches) Turn
Row 6: P all stitches.
Row 7: SSK, K3, k2tog. (5 stitches) Turn
Row 6: P all stitches.
Row 7: SSK, K1, K2tog (3 stitches) Turn
Row 8: SP2P (1 Stitch) Fasten off, leaving about a 5-inch tail



Knit 7 (8) more leaves in the same manner, spacing leaves 2 or 3 stitches apart on crocheted chain. 8 (9) leaves total.






Knit hat:
With main color, cast on 72 (79) stitches, arranging evenly on three double-point needles or as for magic loop on circular needle. Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist stitches. If needed, place a marker at the beginning of the round.
Knit all rounds in St st until hat measures 5 3/4 (6 3/4) inches from cast-on edge.
Begin decrease round. Note: the important part of this decrease round is the final number of stitches, 56 for size 0-3 months, and 63 for size 6-9 months. The instructions create a fairly even decrease. Feel free to improvise, as long as your total number of stitches at the end of this decrease round is correct.
Decrease round for size 0-3 months: (K2, k2tog) twice. (K3, k2tog) four times. (K2, k2tog) four times. (K3, k2tog) four times. (K2, k2tog) twice. (56 stitches)
Decrease round for size 6-9 months: (K2, k2tog, K4, k2tog) 7 times. For remaining 9 stitches of this round: K2, k2tog, K3, k2tog (63 stitches) Break main color thread.


Attach leaves to top of hat:
Beginning at the marked end of the chain, carefully release the first leaf from the crocheted chain and place each live stitch on a dpn, taking care that stitches are facing in the correct position. Push leaf close to the right end of the dpn. Set aside. Switching to yarn designated for leaves, knit first 2 stitches of hat. Pick up leaf needle and place it together with hat needle, leaf needle on top. Knit the first leaf stitch and the next hat stitch together. Repeat for remaining 4 leaf stitches and next 4 hat stitches. Knit next 2 hat stitches. Place next leaf from crochet chain onto empty dpn and knit the leaf together with the next 5 hat stitches as before. Continue around the hat, adding all leaves.




Next round: Knit even.
Decrease round 1: *K1, k2tog. Repeat from *. 38 (42) stitches
Next round: Knit even.
Decrease rounds 2, 3, and 4 *K2tog. Repeat from *, until 5 stitches remain.
Place remaining 5 stitches on a dpn. Work I-cord for about an inch. Break yarn. Thread yarn tail through all stitches, and pull tight.
Weave in ends with tapestry needle and block hat if desired.

Stitch guide:
K knit
P purl
K2tog knit 2 together
dpn(s) double-point needle(s)
SSK slip 2 stitches, one at a time, knit the 2 stitches together, through the back loop
SP2P slip 1 purl-wise, purl 2 together, pass the slip stitch over the purl 2 together
St st stockinette stitch
© Susan Santos 2010. This pattern is offered at no cost, for personal and charitable use only. Please do not attempt to sell this pattern, or objects made from this pattern.

6 comments:

  1. So cute! Congratus with putting out the pattern.

    I know it is a whole lot of work!!!

    Cute, cute, cuuuute...

    ReplyDelete
  2. Aw - cute hats and a very interesting idea with the leaves. It's great. Thanks for sharing.

    ReplyDelete
  3. All that and she designs, and writes patterns too!
    Wow. You have been busy!
    Thank you for sharing these lovely little hats with us. They will make wonderful gifts.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Lovely hats.
    Can I ask when you are decreasing rounds 2-4 are you putting a plain knit round in between each decrease

    ReplyDelete
  5. knittynita--no, there are no plain rounds in between decrease rounds 2 through 4. You want to rapidly decrease so the top portion of the hat lies flat around the stem. Makes sense? If not, email me again.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Thanks for your prompt reply. I did wonder.

    ReplyDelete

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