Pixie Hat for Everyone

Here comes a free pattern for a one size fits most, quick to knit pixie hat. The idea for this pattern came from the testing of my Sporty Pixie Bonnet where one of my testers wanted to knit a larger size bonnet in thicker yarn for charity. I thought the idea was great so I made my own prototype. I would wear this myself and my daughters loves it! 

The hat is knitted flat from the brim to the crown and seamed at the back. The brim is ribbed and the rest is in garter stitch. The garter stitch creates a very stretchy hat which means it will fit quite a span of head sizes. The prototype I made fits my 5 year old and it fits me too!

Sizing:

One size fits most children to smallish adult.

Height of the hat from the bottom to the top is 24 cm (9.5 in) and length from front to back is 21 cm (8.25 in). The circumference of the ribbed brim is 34 cm (13.5 in).

Gauge:

16 st and approximately 15-16 garter ridges per 10 cm (4 in) in unstretched garter stitch on larger needles.

Materials:

Yarn: 150 m (165 yards) of worsted weight yarn.

Needles: 4 mm (US6) and 4.5 mm (US7) straight or circular needles plus extra 4.5 mm (US7) needle for 3-needle bind off.

Other: Darning needle

Pattern:

CO 81 sts with smaller needles.

RS row: * k1, p1, repeat from * to last st, k1.

WS row: * p1, k1, repeat from * to last st, p1.

Repeate 3 more times for a total of 8 rows of ribbing.

Change to larger needles and work in garter stitch, knitting every RS and WS row until piece measures 15 cm (6 in) from CO edge.

Next RS row: k1, ssk, k to 3 last sts, k2tog, k1.

Next WS row: knit

Repeat the 2 rows above 5 more times (69 sts on the needles).

Next RS row: k1, ssk, ssk, k to 5 last sts, k2tog, k2tog, k1.

Next WS row: knit

Repeat the 2 rows above 3 more times (53 sts on the needles).

Decrease 1 st on the next WS row to end up with an even no of sts on the needles (52 sts on the needles).

Fold hat in half with RS facing inwards, make sure you have the same no of sts for each half, i.e. 26 sts for each half. BO using 3-needle BO.

Alternatively, bind off with your preferred method and then seam it up instead of 3 needle BO.

Seam the back of the hat from where you started the 3 needle BO and towards the front lower corners. Stop seaming just past where you started the decrease rows, leaving 14 cm (5.5 in) unseamed.

Attach ties, approximately 25 cm (10 in) long, at the corners of the front edge. For my prototype I made braided “ties” that are more for decorative purposes rather than for tying. Weave in loose ends and block lightly.

Abbreviations:

BO – bind off

CO – cast on

k – knit

k2tog – knit 2 sts together (1 st decreased)

no – number

p – purl

RS – right side

ssk – slip, slip, knit; slip 2 sts one by one as if to knit, put the 2 slipped sts back on the left needle and knit them together through the back loops (1 st decreased)

st(s) – stitch(es)

WS – wrong side

HAPPY KNITTING!

If you share your project on Instagram, do tag me @cechalden and #pixiehatforeveryone. 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

Hat Patterns for Big and Small

I've released 2 new hat patterns on Ravelry today! 

Firstly, a bonnet style pixie hat for babies and young children, Sporty Pixie Bonnet. The hat is an easy knit, knitted flat from the brim to the crown and seamed at the back. 

Secondly, a fun and colourful stripey hat for children and adults, Playful Hat. Knitted in the round from the brim to the crown with a stretchy ribbed brim and stockinette body and crown. This is a perfect pattern for using up small amounts of scrap yarns, the pattern is written for 6 colours, but can easily be adapted for more or less if desired. 

Introductory offer: use the coupon code INSTA1 in my Ravelry store to get one of these patterns for $1 only! 


~ Cecilie

Mock Cable Spring Hat

A really stretchy hat (one size fits most) with mock cables that knits up relatively quickly and creates a nice pattern resembling real cables. Knitted in a heavy fingering weight yarn, this hat is perfect for the chillier spring days.

Sizing:

One size fits most, from teen to M/L woman. If you wish to make a smaller or larger size, the number of CO sts needs to be a multiple of 5.

Gauge:

Approximately 25 sts (5 pattern repeats) per 10 cm (4 in) in pattern, lightly stretched.

Materials:

Yarn – approximately 180 m (200 yards) heavy fingering weight yarn.

Needles – 3.5 mm (US 4) 40 cm (16 in) circular needles and double pointed needles or longer circular needles for magic loop for knitting the crown of the hat.

Other – 1 stitch marker and a darning needle.

Pattern:

CO 110 sts. PM and join to work in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches.

First round: * k2, p3, repeat from * to end of round.

Mock cables:

Round 1: * k1, YO, k1, p3, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2: * k1, k1tbl, k1, p3, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 3: * k3, p3, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 4: * sl1 purlwise, k2, psso, p3, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat rounds 1-4 until piece measures 20 cm (8 in) from CO edge.

Tip: If you want eyelets, substitute round 2 with round 3 i.e. knit round 1, 2 x round 3 then round 4.

Crown decreases:

Round 1: * k1, YO, k1, p2tog, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 2: * k1, k1tbl, k1, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 3: * k3, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 4: * sl1 purlwise, k2, psso, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 5: * k1, YO, k1, p2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 6: * k1, k1tbl, k1, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 7: * k3, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

Round 8: * sl1 purlwise, k2tog, psso, p1, repeat from * to end of round.

On the next round, k1, then k2tog until you have 10 sts left on the needles.

Finishing:

Cut yarn and pull the tail through the last sts left on the needles. Pull firmly to close the top of the hat. Weave in ends and block lightly.

Abbreviations:

CO – cast on

k – knit

k2tog – knit two together

p – purl

p2tog – purl two together

PM – place marker

psso – pass slipped stitch over

sl – slip stitch purlwise with yarn held to the back

st(s) – stitch(es)

YO – yarn over

HAPPY KNITTING!

If you share your project on Instagram, do tag me @cechalden and #mockcablespringhat. 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

Recommended pattern: Entrechat Shrug

Apart from sharing my own knitting patterns, I want to use this blog to share recommendations for other patterns that I like. 

One example of such is the Entrechat shrug pattern. It knits up quickly and it's a really smartly constructed shrug for little girls (comes in an adult version too). The pattern is designed by Lisa Chemery a.k.a. Frogginette, check out her blog Frogginette Makes Things.

The pattern calls for aran weight yarn, but I have successfully knitted this in DK/light worsted yarn without altering the pattern at all. I would say the sizing is very generous and the size 3-4 year old I knitted for my daughter when she was 3 still fits her now that she is 5. 

I just made my second Entrechat and it will be a gift for a little girl soon to become a big sister. The pattern is perfect as a quick gift that looks like it is not that quick to make. As mentioned before, the pattern construction is really clever and you can play with colours for the different sections like I have done or keep it in one colour for a more classic look. I love patterns like this where everything is really clear and well written and there no need for alterations, but where you still have the possibility to play around with the design by using different colours. Check out the more than 1600 projects on Ravelry for inspiration!

CC Knits now in Norwegian

Just a quick one to announce that today I've launched a Norwegian version of my blog called CC strikker (translation: CC Knits). I will update it in the days (and weeks?) to follow with Norwegian translations of my English patterns.

Other news is that I'm working on making my patterns available as pdf's from Ravelry. 

~ Cecilie

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

Cute as a Bug Baby Bonnet

A cute and quick to knit baby bonnet with a decorative butterfly (or bug?) stitch pattern. The bonnet comes in two versions, one with ribbed edge and stockinette crown and one with garter edge and garter crown. Both pattern versions can be found below. I've also included two versions of the butterfly pattern; 'big and small butterflies' and 'just big butterflies'. The pattern is made to be mixed and matched as you wish, choose your preferred type of edge, butterflies and crown. Knit it in one colour or use a contrast colour for the edge and/or crown.

Sample #1 knitted with twisted rib, big and small butterflies and stockinette crown.
Ties made with Prym knitting mill.

Sample #2 knitted with garter edge, just big butterflies and garter crown.
Ties knitted by picking up 3 sts at edge corner and knitting garter stitch until desired length.

Sizing:

One size, 0-3 months.

Gauge:

20 st per 10 cm (4in) in stockinette.

Materials:

Yarn – approximately 65m (70 yards) DK weight yarn.

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

Other – darning needle.

Bonnet version 1 with ribbed edge and stockinette crown:

CO 65 sts on the smaller needles. Knit 1x1 ribbing for 6 rows either in normal rib or twisted rib, both alternatives are given below:

1x1 normal rib

Row 1: k1, * p1, k1, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: p1, * k1, p1, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 two more times for a total of 6 edge rows. 

1x1 twisted rib

Row 1: k1tbl, * p1, k1tbl, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2: p1tbl, * k1, p1tbl, repeat from * to end of row.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 two more times for a total of 6 edge rows. 

Change to larger needles. If using a contrast colour for the edge, change colour here. 

Next row (RS): knit.

Next row (WS): purl.

Butterfly pattern:

Choose one of the alternatives for butterfly pattern, big and small butterflies or just big butterflies.

Big and small butterflies

Row 1 and 9: k12, sl5wyif, k13, sl5wyif, k13, sl5wyif, k12.

Row 2 , 4 and 6: purl.

Row 3, 5 and 7: k4, sl3wyif, k5, sl5wyif, k5, sl3wyif, k5, sl5wyif, k5, sl3wyif, k5, sl5wyif, k5, sl3wyif, k4.

Row 8: p5, bfst, (p17, bfst) x 3, p5

Row 10: p14, bfst, (p17, bfst) x 2, p14

Just big butterflies

Row 1, 3, 5, 7 and 9: k5, * sl5wyif, k5, repeat from * to end of row.

Row 2, 4, 6 and 8: purl.

Row 10: p7, bfst, (p9, bfst) x 5, p7

Continue in stockinette until piece measures 11 cm from CO edge. i.e. knit all RS rows and purl all WS rows.

Crown shaping (stockinette):

Row 1: k1, k2tog, k3, * k2tog, k5, repeat from * to 3 sts remain, k3tog.

Row 2: purl.

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

Row 4: purl.

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

Row 6: purl.

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

Row 8: purl.

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

Row 10: purl.

Row 11: * k2tog, repeat from * to end of row.

Cut yarn and pull through remaining 9 sts. Seam up the back of the bonnet to approximately 1 cm past the start of the crown shaping. Attach ties or ribbons, approximately 20-25 cm long, at the corner of the front edge. Weave in loose ends and block.

Bonnet version 2 with garter edge and crown

CO 60 sts on the smaller needles. Knit 6 rows. 

Change to larger needles. If using a contrast colour for the edge, change colour here. Increase 5 stitches evenly across the next row as follows:

(k9, kfb) x 5, k10 (65 sts).

Purl next row.

Butterfly pattern:

Select one of the butterfly stitch alternatives above. 

After butterfly pattern, continue in stockinette until piece measures 11 cm from CO edge. i.e. knit all RS rows and purl all WS rows.

Crown shaping (garter):

As stockinette crown shaping given above, but even rows (2, 4, 6, 8 and 10) are knitted instead of purled.

Cut yarn and pull through remaining 9 sts. Seam up the back of the bonnet to approximately 1 cm past the start of the crown shaping. Attach ties or ribbons, approximately 20-25 cm long, at the corner of the front edge. Weave in loose ends and block.

Abbreviations:

bfst - butterfly stitch, insert needle through the loose strands below next stitch and purl them together with the next stitch. Link to Youtube tutorial.

CO - cast on

k - knit

k1tbl - knit 1 st through the back loop to create a twisted st.

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. 

p - purl

p1tbl - purl 1 st through the back loop to create a twisted st.

RS: right side (outside of the bonnet)

sl3wyif - slip 3 sts purlwise with yarn in front

sl5wyif - slip 5 sts purlwise with yarn in front

st(s) - stitch(es)

WS: wrong side (inside of the bonnet)

HAPPY KNITTING!

If you share your project on Instagram, do tag me @cechalden and #cuteasabugbabybonnet. I'd love to see your FOs!