Honestly, what is not to like about making baby/children's hats?
1.They are portable. (That seems to be a recurring theme for me, but when you add up all the "wasted" minutes in the car, in lines, sitting on bleachers--you can easily have a hat--or two or three or ten.)
2.Can you think of a better way to use left over yarn?
This is a variation of Debbie Ware's stars and stripes hat using lots of leftover Tahki Cotton Classic.
3.Or you can use that one very special (take that as rather expensive) luxury yarn for that special, special new baby.
Flurries, using just one skein of the beautiful, beaded Tilli Tomas yarn.
4.You only need to make one (unlike socks, mittens, gloves where the novelty of the pattern has worn off before the dreaded second---fill in the blank--even gets cast on the needles).
So, if the pattern is just a bit fiddly (and there seems to be some kind of correlation between fiddly and ultra-cute), you fiddle through it once--and you are DONE. Rosebud by Susan B. Anderson is one of my very favorite patterns. (I've fiddled through it 3 times!)
5.But the best reason to love baby hats are all those absolutely adorable, too cute patterns.
Aviatrix has a great stay-on fit. I usually do an I-cord instead of the strap for the ties so it's assured to STAY ON. I've even added a little dahlia on the side of the girl version. (Ted D. Bear refused to model the girlie version.)
.Heart on a String (by Susan B. Anderson, free on her website) is a very quick knit; I made this one with Peaches and Cream in a couple of hours. (Ted D. is colorblind--he thought the flying heart balloon was blue.)
Another Susan B. Anderson pattern from Itty Bitty Hats; I changed up Cherry-O to Berry-O for a boy, and just made pompoms for the berries insteading of knitting little stuffed pockets.
Candy Cane is yet another Susan B. Anderson's pattern!!! from Itty Bitty Hats; can you tell, this is my go-to book when I have a baby gift??
And finally, a sized-up Baby Beret by Debbie Ware. You can even size this up to an adult size!
Just TOO CUTE!!!
We are still talking about the hats, aren't we?????????
Oh my! I think I may have to get my needles out! Seriously, I hope to come to the NAM meetings. That may be the only time I crochet or knit, but I sure do enjoy the company!
These are all just too cute!
Posted by: Chris Janne | 09/01/2011 at 09:45 PM
Those hats are ADORABLE! My daughter would love full size versions of the more colorful ones. I'm relatively new to knitting (about 6 months), but some of those patterns are calling me. :)
Posted by: Shannon | 09/02/2011 at 07:36 AM