Designing a Baby Hat, Part 2 (the Knit Version)

By now, I’m sure you’re wondering, when are we actually going to start making a hat?!  But, trust me, a little preplanning during the design phase will really help when it comes to the making stage.  And, crocheters, forgive me, but when it comes to hats, the knit version is usually an easier project for a newborn because the extra give and stretchiness will help if sizing is off.  In my next post, we’ll talk about designing a crochet baby hat for a six-month old.

Our first design project is going to be a knit beanie hat for a newborn-to-three month old.  

We’ve gotten a lot accomplished so far:  we’ve picked out just the right yarn for this project (a DK weight super wash wool yarn); we’ve decided what type of baby hat to make (a beanie), and, now, we’re going to figure out what size to make it.  The decision about needle size has kind of been made for us since we decided to use DK yarn, but feel free to experiment with needle sizes during the next step (yarn swatch) to see and feel the different fabrics that result from the changes in needle size.  I suggest that, since we’re making a hat that doesn’t require a “drape” and that we want to be a little denser for warmth, you start with the needle size suggested on the yarn’s wrapper or a size smaller.  I usually use a size 5 (3.75 mm) or size 6 (4.00 mm) needle with DK yarn.

So, as I remarked above, the first step in this process is going to be knitting a little swatch to get familiar with our yarn (I know, I know, no one wants to hear about, much less make, a “gauge swatch” as it is called, but, since we are starting from scratch in designing this baby hat, we’ve got to get a feel for how this yarn is going to operate, especially if we are experimenting with needle sizes).  We’ll want to knit a 4 inch by 4 inch square to see how many stitches in a 4 inch row we get as well as how many rows we get in a 4 inch length.  Once we get a swatch whose fabric we like, we’ll want to wash it to see what that does to our swatch.  Once you wash and block the swatch, you’ll then measure again to see if there’s been any shrinkage or stretch.  

Now that we know what to expect of our yarn, we can start calculating how many stitches we need to cast on for the hat.  An average head circumference for a newborn is around 13.5 inches/34 cm, and baby’s head will grow to about 14.5 inches/37 cm in the first three months.  So, we’re going to average that out to about 14 inches since our knit hat should have enough give in it to stretch as baby grows (and it might be a bit big at first, but not for long!).  

Here’s where some basic math is going to come in handy — we are going to multiply the number of stitches we counted in our 4 inch row by 3.5.  For example, if we had 18 stitches in our gauge swatch, we’ll want to cast on 64 stitches (I know, the math actually came out to 63 stitches, but I like using even numbers).

Oh, I should have mentioned that, with a knit hat, it is easier to start at the brim and knit, then decrease to create the crown.  When we discuss making a crocheted hat, I will suggest starting at the crown and increasing stitches to work our way down to the brim.

Now, here is where the fun and aggravation starts!  Cast on 64 stitches, knit them up and see if you’re getting about 14 inches of outcome.  It’s hard to tell when the stitches are on the needles, but you’ll need to be prepared to experiment with the needle sizes and yarn to see if you’re getting the results you want.  

Decision point:  do you want a ribbed brim or a rolled brim for the beanie?  This is an aesthetic decision, though it too could affect the stitch count and sizing of the hat.  Ribbing makes the hat stretchier, which helps us with the sizing; a rolled brim is just easier in terms of getting started.  I prefer the ribbed brim because I really like the look of using a 2x2 ribbing.  

In the next post, we will talk about stretchy cast-on options and how to plan out the height of the hat to crown to ensure a proportionate hat in terms of width and height and its design elements.

Choosing the Right Yarn for Baby, Part 2

Another important consideration for choosing the right yarn for a baby project is the weight of the yarn.  Again, a lot of initial considerations go into making a good choice: for example, climate where baby lives, ease of care, and the look of the finished piece.

Yarn weight is the measure of thickness of the yarn, which affects the drape, gauge, and finish of your baby project.  Generally, “baby” or “DK” (double knitting) is recommended for use when making baby clothes.  These yarn weights are lighter and more delicate, creating a soft and comfortable fabric for baby’s sensitive skin (especially when combined with the right fibers).  It’s this combination of fiber and thickness that directly affects the care instructions and overall durability of yarn (as well as the size of the crochet hook and/or knitting needles you’ll use for the project).

Worsted weight yarn is a medium weight yarn that is slightly thicker than baby or DK weight yarn.  It’s a popular choice for a lot of different types of crochet and knit projects, but sometimes can be too thick or not drape-y enough for a baby item.  But, if baby does live in a colder climate, worsted weight yarn can create a warm outer garment or blanket that’ll get a lot of use.  Be sure to follow the care instructions to ensure that the item is safe and comfortable for baby.

In my next post, we’ll explore some good combinations of yarn weight and fibers to make a baby hat, which might be the first project in creating baby’s first year wardrobe that you want to undertake because it’s a great newborn gift and shouldn’t take too long to make.  

Choosing the Right Yarn for Baby, Part 1

There are a lot of decisions to make when starting a new crochet or knit project, but I tend to start with my yarn choice and let it drive my decisions from there (we'll be talking over the next few weeks about other options for the starting point).

The yarn choice for a baby project is especially important because there are some additional considerations to keep in mind than just softness against baby's skin: How easy is it to care for? How much will it cost to complete the project? How will it stand up to the test of time?

There are basically two choices, a natural fiber or a synthetic one.  Each has its benefits and downsides, which you'll need to weigh in making a final decision.  As we start exploring the different items that we will include in baby's first wardrobe, I'll make specific recommendations geared towards each project.  But, for now, here's some general considerations to keep in mind:

    1. Wool - wool is a natural fiber that produces a high quality, soft, and durable yarn for baby items; however, it can be more pricey than some of the other types of yarn and may shrink or felt when washed.  Look for a superwash wool that can be machine washed and dried to add life to the baby item and to make mama's life easier.

    2. Cotton - also a natural fiber that's soft, lightweight, and hypoallergenic, making it a comfortable and airy choice for baby in warmer climates; however, it's not going to provide the warmth that other types of yarn will, and it can stretch and lose its shape over time. 

    3. Bamboo - a sustainable and eco-friendly natural fiber that is soft and hypoallergenic; however, it stretches and loses shape even more than cotton and is not durable over the long term.  It can be expensive as well, but blended yarns with a little bamboo in them can be a good choice.

    4. Acrylic - a synthetic fiber whose quality has improved immensely in recent years.  It is cost effective and easier to care for than natural fibers; however, it may not be as soft and breathable and may not hold its shape over time.

Of course, there are a number of blended fiber yarns these days, which try to combine strengths of various fibers while minimizing the downsides.  In a future post, I’ll dig deeper into good combinations of fibers for baby, but, in my next post, we’ll explore yarn weights and which ones are well-suited for baby projects.

Happy New Year 2023!!

Another year, another chance to start fresh!  This is the year that I'm finally going to make some dreams come true, and I hope you'll join me for the ride.  

I've dreamed of helping crocheters and knitters create beautiful keepsakes for the new babies in their lives (and hopefully for some babies in need as well).  To me, that means providing access to the physical and skill-based tools needed to actually make the items as well as the inspiration to create something meaningful and from the heart.

 

So, this year, we are going to go, step by step together, through all of the decision points on the road to creating an amazing first-year wardrobe for baby.  I'll cover yarn choices, sizing options, pattern decisions, and head-to-toe practicalities to keep baby well-outfitted and the mama happy about the ease of caring for the items.

Please join me Tuesdays and Fridays for this series of blog posts, and, if you sign up in the box to the left, the posts will be delivered right to your inbox.

Thank you for your support through the years and for joining me on our journey through 2023!  Happy New Year!

Transitions

Hello Crocheters, I hope everyone is staying safe and being well during these pandemic times!  Faced with all the new adjustments, I had to step away from a number of activities, and, unfortunately, the blog was the first to get set aside.  But I seem to eventually get drawn back in each time, recognizing that this blog still remains a steadfast way for me to communicate with you all (and a Fall newsletter is in the works too).

A lot has actually been happening behind the scenes!  I've got a number of new designs in the works, two of which have been posted to my Ravelry store:  one is a mid-century modern baby blanket and one is a knitted baby sweater with the sweetest heart buttons!  There's a theme here: babies!  We've got friends still having them, and Many Creative Gifts wants to make it easy and fun to craft the perfect baby gift.  And we've got some new affiliate relationships for a quick and meaningful gift when you're still working on your crochet or knit project and time just slips away from you (don't worry, we've got you covered!).  As a result, the website is getting a bit of a revamp as well.  Yes, that's right, we're finally giving the website an updating :-).  It's a process, but, in the mean time, you can visit the site to get updates on Chausette, the adopted sheep - I've got new photos and an unfortunate but fitting end to the Sheep Saga.

So, what do you think, should we adopt an alpaca?!

5 Must-Have Crochet or Knit Baby Shower Gifts

Yup, "Aunt Phyllis" is gearing up for some upcoming baby showers and arrivals!  And, though I've written about baby wear before, I'm not sure I've done it in an organized way all in one place, so I'll be putting together a series of posts on baby gifts that will link back to this outline post.

So, first, I wanted to do an overview of "baby essentials" (and then focus on items that can/should be crocheted or knitted).  Boy, does this concept mean different things to different mamas!  Basal Baby has simple, beautiful gift subscriptions for organic cotton basics for baby's first year, but it's a bit pricey.  Primary.com also has baby and kids clothes in simple styles and bright colors, and you can get 25% off on your first order (enter code: WELCOME25).  Now I haven't tried nor have any affiliation with either one but each caught my eye during research for this post.

I think the most comprehensive and well-thought out checklist for baby essentials and add-ons I came across is the one on Squawkfox.  There's a downloadable checklist and some great tips on how to save $$ on baby clothes.

So, here's what I'm going to be concentrating on in terms of baby shower gifts you'll want to crochet or knit (starting at the top!):

1)  Hat

Depending on when baby is going to arrive, which may dictate the style and thickness of yarn you use, a handmade hat could be the perfect baby shower gift.  There are just so many beautiful crochet and knit baby hat patterns out there!   And it can be a quick and easy project with yarns that you already have on hand but still a really special and useful item.  In a future post, I'll be discussing the different styles and constructions of baby hats and suggesting some ways to make decisions from the vast array of choices you have!

2)  Bib

The bib truly is a canvas, for baby with his or her food but for you as a creative crocheter or knitter.  Chances are your handmade bib is going to be a keepsake and used for photo sessions with baby, which frankly gives you a lot of latitude to create something one-of-a-kind and really special.  One thought is to package together a set of practical, easy-to-wash bibs along with your handmade gem.


3)  Sweater/Jacket

You might want to save this project for baby's first birthday so that you can really plan a customized style, color and yarn weight that fits just right.  A baby sweater or jacket is a great project for the crocheter or knitter who's ready to experiment with garment construction.  Again, the patterns out there are endless, so, in a future post, I'll explore some ways to choose a pattern that will result in a fun project for you and an amazing wearable for baby.

4)  Blanket

A baby blanket is a great crochet or knit project for the beginner because it gives you the chance to hone your stitching skills while creating a useful item that baby will drag around for years!  Which should steer you towards choosing a soft yet sturdy and easily washed yarn choice.  In a future post, I'll concentrate on providing the various sizes of baby blankets based on intended use as well as the yarn properties to consider when planning your project.

5)  Booties

If you're looking for a baby shower gift that will have the future mom and guests ooohing and ahhhing, little baby booties get them every time!  Add a coordinating hat, and you'll be getting orders on the spot.  Top considerations for this project include a) fit so that they aren't easily kicked off by baby and b) style (Mary Janes, cowboy booties, etc), so I'll be posting some tips and tricks to optimize and customize.

I'm really looking forward to exploring these and other crochet and knit projects for baby with you!!  I've got placeholders in each category where I will insert links to the future posts as they get done, so you might want to save this post link since it will have everything in one place.