Designing a Baby Hat, Part 2 (The Knit Version, continued)

 We’re finally ready to cast on!  So far, we’ve decided to make a knit beanie hat for a newborn, estimating that the circumference will be around 14 inches.  We’re going to make about a 3/4 to 1 inches 2x2 ribbed brim for the hat, so we need a stretchy cast-on method.  There are so many different ways to cast on before knitting (a plug for crochet — the chain stitch is the only way you need to get started with crochet!), but the stretchiest cast-on method I’ve come across is Jeny’s Surprisingly Stretchy Slip Knot Cast On.  It’s worth practicing and using for ribbed knitting, it makes for a stretchy and pretty edging (and, though we won’t need it for this project, she’s also got a great stretchy bind off too, available at this link).

If you want a tighter rib, experiment with using a smaller needle size (or switching to a larger size for the body of the hat).

After casting on and knitting the knit 2x2 rib brim (a design element is deciding the length of the ribbing), then it’s time to think about what stitch(es) you want to use to create the “body” of the hat.  Or maybe you just want to use the knit stitch and play with colors and striping (using the Fibonacci sequence for figuring out how many rows per stripe can make for interesting patterns).  I leave the creativity up to you, but you still need to figure out about how high to make the sides of the hat.  The formula is to divide the circumference (in our case here, 14 inches) by pi (3.14), which equals 4.46 inches.  Again, just an estimate  to get you started, the exact measurement will depend on your gauge, the stretchiness of the fabric, and the fit of the hat you want to create.

You’ll also need to experiment with when to start decreasing stitches and at what rate.  You might want the beanie to have a little extra slouch rather than fit snuggly, or you might want a close-to-the-head fit.  Consider how you’re going to finish off the top of the hat (A pompom? A knot?).  Be creative and experiment!

In my next post, we’ll start planning a crochet hat.

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!

Stitch House Dorchester

I'm so lucky to have gotten a chance to do a little traveling this year, and I'm just back from my first trip to Boston!  While there, I got the chance to visit the most awesome yarn store called Stitch House Dorchester. 

What a wonderful selection of yarns, and, in my efforts to design more baby items, I picked up a kit of local, Wonderland hand dyed yarns by Frabjous Fibers.

I also am excited about trying the Dreambaby DK by Plymouth Yarn (I'll be posting separately about some ideas I have for that luscious yarn!)

But the best part of the visit was getting to talk with the lovely Carrie ("just like in the Stephen King novel!" she says ;-).  Turns out she's very familiar with the DC area, so it was fun talking about LYSs and the fiber arts in general.

The shop really is a must-visit if you're in the Boston area.  Be prepared to do some serious shopping (no sales tax on yarn in Mass.!) and hanging out in the shop, you'll be glad you did.

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.