For me, the beauty of a handknit gift is that it can travel with me throughout my day, and with a few stitches here, a few stitches there, I eventually have something to give that not only has a purpose, but also carries with it the love that was poured into it during it’s journey to becoming, in this case, a hat for a precious newborn’s head.
I started this little hat a few days ago, and worked on it whenever I got the chance, enjoying every single stitch. I worked on it while walking around the yard with a herd of children and chickens and of course Beatrix on my back, during a cozy late evening snuggled in a chair with Seth, 
and while lying on a quilt in the yard with Moses and Bea. Yes, as tiny as it is, I am still a slow knitter with six children. This hat would be a quick one evening knit for someone with a spare evening.
And that is the story of this hat. I hope to get it in the mail today.
***
GinnySheller’s simple newborn hat with a touch of lace:
Materials:
I like to knit in the round so I ordered a set of 12″ round circular needles in a size 4, rather than using size four double points for the entire hat. I am just not good with the double points. Of course you do need the double points when you start decreasing. I used one skein of (you won’t use the whole thing) Knit Picks shine sport yarn for this hat because it is really soft, washable, and the cotton blend will be perfect for the August born Georgia baby I knit it for, but I suppose any sport weight yarn would do.
Gauge is 6 stitches = 1 inch
The finished size will fit a small newborn sized head. This hat is roughly 13.5″ in circumfrence. If you want to make it a bit bigger, you can always add stitches in a multiple of 9 with each nine stitches adding about 1.5″ And if you do add stitches you can probably bump up to 16″ circular needles. I already had the 12″ set, and I wanted the hat really small. It seems that knit hats are always too big for a brand new baby.
(This is the end of the lace part of the pattern)
When you have knit to your preferred length,
{ 39 comments… read them below or add one }
I so love this little hat… I am searching for a swearter to go with it.. I am hoping to give the set to a new mommy.. thanks so much for sharing!
I could really use your help with row 13…do I only repeat what is in parenthesis or do I repeat the whole thing all the way around?
Sorry Ginny:
I missed spelled your name. It is an awesome hat.
Connie
HI Jinny:
What a gorgeous hat! You sound like you are like me and LOVE to knit.
I just want to share a secret, in case you have not discovered this secret. I hate using double pointed needles and found that Hats can be knit in the round using Two set of circular needles. You put half the stitches on one set and half on the other set. then decrease as needed just always leaving half the stitches on each set of needles.
Thanks for sharing the hat pattern, beautiful ,
This hat is beautiful! I knit one up last night out of some Cascade 100% wool in a natural off white and it came out so pretty. I made it on size 6 circulars and it measures about 16 inches around. I’m hoping after blocking it will be newborn sized, but if not I’ll be happy to knit it again!Thank you for sharing your adorable pattern!
Your hat is darling! I can’t wait to make it, but I am a little confused with row 13 and what I am to repeat. Thanks for your help and for sharing your pattern.
This hat is precious! I don’t have size 4 or 5 needles (my guage runs small, usually), so I might modify the pattern and use size 6 needles. (I saw this through Laylock’s blog entry here). For those of you who are worried about a baby hat being too small, they grow–a good friend of mine wants me to make a hat for her coming little one that will last several months. I am just waiting to find out the sex. If it’s a girl, this hat is probably what I’ll make!
Too big*, not too small.
I love the hat, but have a question about it. In the picture, it looks like you have purled a row, but I don’t see in the directions where it appears. Is this an error in the pattern? I really want to make this hat but hesitate until I know for sure if an error is made. Thank you and hope to hear soon.
no purl rows, you are looking at when you knit in the round it will curl up and look like purls
Just found your pattern through pinterest – it looks great! I'm going to be giving it a shot whilst I'm waiting for my little one to come…
Just found your pattern through pinterest – it looks great! I'm going to be giving it a shot whilst I'm waiting for my little one to come…
I love this pattern! It is so pretty.I am a few rows past the lace and I don't seem to have any eyelet holes like your does. Do they come in after you block? And can you explain how you blocked yours?Thanks!
This hat is absolutely precious! I was looking through Ravelry for baby hat patterns to make for friends and came across this. I know that it will be one of the next projects that I start. Great job!
This hat is absolutely precious! I was looking through Ravelry for baby hat patterns to make for friends and came across this. I know that it will be one of the next projects that I start. Great job!
I love the pattern!I have Bernat Softee Baby YarnDo you think this will work for this pattern?I have never made a baby cap before and am really having my problems as to size.The cap I just completed measures:Ribbing: 1" and 6" layed flat.Mid cap folded: 6" not stretchedTotal Height: 7"What do you think? Too Big for a newborn?If you feel this yarn will work with your pattern I am on my way, I just do not want it to be too small OR too large.Thanks for listening and any help you can give me.
thank you
I love this hat, I made one recently only making a small change because I wanted to weave a ribbon through before the lace began, so I added a eyelet row. It is so adorable and had I known how to knit when my daughter was born 4 yrs ago possibly the only hat that would have fit her head (she's got a tiny noodle). Thanks for the lovely pattern
anon.–you should have a total of 81 stitches, joining won't change that.on row 13, repeat the entire row until you reach the end of the round.
I could really use your help with row 13…do I only repeat what is in parenthesis or do I repeat the whole thing all the way around?Other question…after casting on 81 and joining in the round…do I end up with 80?Sorry but i am a beginner and I am stuck on this.
Love this hat!! Just started it this evening and overlooked that this is worked on circular needles. I'm debating whether I should just start over…but maybe not.
Just a note to tell you that I love your hat. So does my granddaughter! You can see her here in her pink hat <a href="http://:http://sewabovethecreek.blogspot.com/2011/01/pretty-in-buttery-pink.html” target=”_blank”>:http://sewabovethecreek.blogspot.com/2011/01/pretty-in-buttery-pink.html
Thanks for the pattern, I added it to my blog today !http://www.tricksyknitter.com/pages/posts/more-free-knitting-patterns-for-babies-and-kids-40.php
Beautiful!Thanks for sharing the pattern…I have just finished knitting it for a friend (who is due any day now) and can't wait to give it to her.Thanks again!
This pattern is adorable! I loved knitting it up for a new baby in our church. Thanks so much for sharing the pattern- and the sweet story
Ginny, just found this pattern and I think I am going to knit this next!Laura
Beautiful!!!!I knit 2 of them this month. Love the pattern!And inspired by your pattern I knit baby socks and mittens that fit it ( the patterns for them are in my blog) . If you want to take a look here you have the link: http://lolita-blahnik.blogspot.com/2010/01/baby-k… for sharing your talent!!!!
Hi
I did go to your blog and saw the pattern for the sock and mittens, however, most of the article is in I believe Spanish. I do not read Spanish. Can you direct me to both patterns in English.
Thank you so much
Carol
Thank you so much for posting this beautiful pattern! I just finished knitting the hat in a pretty sage bamboo yarn and it came out so pretty!! I love your blog!
You have blessed me today with the stories of your children and your beautiful life. Thank you for being one of God's children who has been blessed with the wisdom to understand that the struggles in life are often what bring the most beauty and growth to our lives. You and yours will be in my prayers as you continue on this wonderful adventure of adoption, parenting, and learning from our Lord.
This is so sweet! Thanks for sharing such a gorgeous pattern! You are so talented!
The hat arrived last night. I was so excited to open up the box and pull it out. It's absolutely perfect and we cannot wait to meet Amberly and see her in the beautiful hat.Thank you so much for such a heartfelt and precious gift that she will always have to treasure!We love you guys and can't wait to see you next month!Andrea, Jared, Elliot and Amberly
I gave you a blogger award. Check out my blog for more information.Blessings,Dorsey
The hat is beautiful. I'll add it to my craft to do list. I have only one child, yet I think it would take me even longer to knit it.
I'm looking forward to learning to knit like this. Thanks for sharing the pattern and pics.
It is so beautiful, as is this post. I love the way your write Ginny. You are so gifted in sharing your passions.
Your hat is precious. And you did a great job blocking it. Did you block it folded on its side or over a frame? I am amazed at all you manage to accomplish with such a large family. Oh, one more question, did you come up with the pattern yourself or did you use a pattern already written? It reads like you designed it yourself and I'm just wondering if you have that talent too! I can't get over how talented you are. I'm off this afternoon to spend a couple hours knitting with my instructor. (It's awfully nice when your instructor is also your best friend! But I don't take advantage of her. I buy her little thank you gifts every couple weeks. Nothing fancy just something to say Thanks.) Just took a quick glance back at your little hat. It is really beautiful and well knitted
It is gorgeous – delicate and sweet. You are so talented! I do know how satisfying it is to carry something about to work on. I had some lovely years when I was embroidering Irish dance dresses, and I loved dling that so much tht having a moment to pull my project out and work on it gave me so much pleasure that I remember it still. (Not nearly as nice as your hat, though.)
{ 1 trackback }