prEmiE hAT Pattern

Free pattern I've designed to make the premie hats:


It's knitted into a rectangle, then stitched together with stitches running sideways from bottom to crown.
FINISHED MEASUREMENTS:
Circumference: approx. 12 inches unstretched (stretches really well though)

MATERIALS:
These hats were made using leftover balls of acrylic yarn in my stash. Acrylic yarn is better for little preemie baby heads, since wool can be irritating. Don’t dis acrylic so quickly, there is some pretty nice softer acrylics. Other good choices are cotton or bamboo yarn (so soft!). I combined a sportweight yarn with a DK yarn to get the thicker worsted weight combination.

Suggested materials:
Red Heart Mystic Purple (SUPER SOFT acrylic);
Icicle light blue sportweight acrylic baby yarn

1 set US #8 dpns
1 set US #10 dpns
Tapestry needle

GAUGE
14 sts = 4 inches in garter stitch

PATTERN NOTES
The longtail cast on is used for this pattern. If you are unfamiliar with this technique, excellent instructions can be found at knitty.com.

This pattern was worked with two strands of yarn held together throughout.

DIRECTIONS
Using the long-tail cast on method, with #8s and MC, CO 25 sts.
Before knitting row 1, add second yarn if using two strands of yarn held together.
Row 1: Knit
Row 2: Purl
Row 3: Knit
Switch to #10s
Repeat rows 1 through 3 eight more times (so you end up with 27 rows)
Switch to #8s
Row 28: Knit
Row 29: Purl
Row 30: Knit
With only MC, bind off; leaving a long tail (about 10 inches long).
FINISHING

Thread yarn tail on tapestry needle.
Fold right sides of hat together and stitch up each side,
using each yarn tail on a tapestry needle – using a back stitch about ¼ to 3/8 from the side “selvage.”
Weave in ends.
Turn right sight out and you’re finished.
Enjoy copyright Hilda Erb 2006