Knitting: Various baby hats and booties

After re-learning to knit I found it quick and easy to knit my friends baby hats and booties for their new arrivals. Here are a few that I have made using very simple patterns with slight adaptations such as pompoms, different stitches, ribbons and knitted flowers.

Using US 4mm needles I cast on 73 stitches (leaving a length of yarn for joining the hat together later) and then knit a few rows until it measures about 10 cm. Using the knit stitch for each row allows the first few rows to roll, I like to knit these rows in a different colour yarn.

I then continued with this pattern:

Row 1 (RS): K1, *K2tog, K6, repeat from * to end. 64 stitches.

Work 1 row

Row 3: K1, *K2tog, K5, repeat from * to end. 55 stitches.

Work 1 row

Row 5: K1, *K2tog, K4, repeat from * to end. 46 stitches.

Work 1 row

Keep going in this way, reducing one stitch between each alternate row.

Next row (RS): K1, *K2tog, K1, repeat from * to end. 19 stitches.

Work 1 row

Cut yarn and thread through the remaining 19 stitches, pull up tight and fasten securely.

Use the length of yarn left at the start to join the sides of the hat together - I use mattress stitch.

To create the pom pom I found a new technique using four horseshoe-shaped template pieces. This made it quicker and easier to wrap the wool around the cardboard templates before securing, cutting and fluffing out.

To make these twisty booties I used the pattern from Ravelry.com and added a little flower on the side. A lovely knitted flower pattern can be found on Lion Brand Yarns website: Stitchfinder. They have many different flowers you can choose from but for this purpose I like the Rose or the Dahlia.

For this hat I used the same pattern as above but knitted the first few rows to be straight and added eyelets holes in the booties so I could add a ribbon.

Newborn size: 8.5 - 9.5cm

Cast on 37 stitches loosely and Knit for 10 rows.

K15, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K15

K14, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K14

K13, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K13

K12, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K12

K11, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K11

K10, K2tog, K3, K2tog, K10

K14 rows and bind off loosely. Sew up the seam and roll over the top.

A good way to learn and have some fun, as well as doing your bit for charity, is to get involved with the Innocent Smoothie 'Big Knit' with an arrage of beginner, intermediate and advanced patterns you can follow. I made about 20 of the Doddle Hat this year and for every bottle sold Innocent give 25p to Age UK.