2 Hour Baby Bonnet

(link to pattern in Norwegian/mønster på norsk)

This pattern is for a super quick and easy baby bonnet in garter stitch that can literately be knitted up in less than 2 hours (at least for the smaller sizes). Great pattern for using up some scrap yarn or if in need of a very last minute present. Many possibilities for making your own unique design, go nuts with stripes, different types of ties, embroidery, crochet details, buttons, you name it!

My prototypes are size 3 months and 6 months respectively. The gray one I've decorated with chain stitch embroidery and a cute button. I've also crocheted around the front edge and made ties by crocheting 50 chains with yarn held double (probably the quickest and easiest way to make ties). The blue/green bonnet is kept simple, I really like the effect of the variegated yarn in garter stitch. Ties are icords made with my Prym knitting mill. Icords can easily be made without a knitting mill (it only takes a while longer). Here is a good icord tutorial.  

Sizing:

Newborn (3m, 6m, 12m, 2T)

Note that garter stitch is very stretchy and tends to grow with the baby. 

Gauge:

19 st and 18 garter ridges per 10 cm (4in) in garter stitch on the larger needles.

Materials:

Yarn – approximately 70-90 m (75-100 yards) DK weight yarn.

Needles – 4 mm (US6) and 4.5 mm (US 7) needles.

Other – darning needle.

Pattern:

CO 50 (55, 60, 65, 70) sts on the smaller needles. Knit 6 rows (3 garter ridges). Change to larger needles and increase 5 sts on the next row as follows:

Newborn: k4, kfb, (k9, kfb) x 4, k5 (55 sts on needles)

3 months: k4, kfb, (k10, kfb) x 4, k6 (60 sts on needles)

6 months: k5, kfb, (k11, kfb) x 4, k6 (65 sts on needles)

12 months: k5, kfb, (k12, kfb) x 4, k7 (70 sts on needles)
2T: k6, kfb, (k13, kfb) x 4, k7 (75 sts on needles)

Continue in garter stitch, knitting every row, until piece measures 10 (11, 12, 13, 15) cm from the cast on edge. Make sure to finish on a WS row. 

Next RS row: Decrease 6 (4, 2, 0, 5) sts as follows:

Newborn: (k6, k2tog) x 3, k7, (k6, k2tog) x 3 (49 sts on needles)

3 months: (k6, k2tog) x 2, k28, (k6, k2tog) x 2 (56 sts on needles)

6 months: k6, k2tog, knit to 2 sts remain, k2tog (63 sts on needles)

12 months: knit one row without decreases.
2T: (k6, k2tog) x 3, k35, (k6, k2tog) x 2 (70 sts on needles)

All sizes, knit one row and start crown decreases.

Crown decreases:

Row 1 (RS): * k5, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2 (WS): knit

Row 3: * k4, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 4: knit

Row 5: * k3, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 6: knit

Row 7: * k2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 8: knit

Row 9: * k1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 10: knit

Row 11: k2tog to end of row.

Cut yarn and pull through remaining sts. Seam up the back of the bonnet to approximately 2 cm past the start of the crown shaping. Attach ties or ribbons, approximately 25 cm long, at the corner of the front edge. Weave in loose ends and block lightly.

Abbreviations:

CO – cast on

k – knit

k2tog - knit 2 sts together, 1 st decreased.

kfb - knit into the front of the stitch, then without dropping the stitch off the needle, knit into the back of the stitch. 1 st increased.

RS - right side, outside of bonnet.

st(s) – stitch(es)

WS - wrong side, inside of bonnet. 

HAPPY KNITTING!

If you share your project on Instagram, do tag me @cechalden and #2hourbabybonnet. I'd love to see your FOs! The pattern can also be found on Ravelry, please link to the pattern page if you have a Ravelry profile.

~ Cecilie