Spring Has Sprung Hat

This adorable hat is inspired by the welcome sight of sprouting spring flowers.

DESIGN BY ANN SQUIRE

* * EASY

SIZES

Infant's 0–3 (3–6, 6–12, 12–18) months. Instructions are given for smallest size, with larger sizes in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to all sizes.

FINISHED MEASUREMENT

Circumference (unstretched): 10 ½ (13, 15, 17) inches

MATERIALS

4 MEDIUM

• Mission Falls 1824 Wool (worsted weight; 100% superwash wool; 85 yds/50g per ball): 1 ball each mallow #025 (MC) and sprout #531 (CC) (Note: only a small amount of CC is needed)

• Size 6 (4mm) double-pointed needles (set of 4)

• Size 7 (4.5mm) double-pointed needles (set of 4) or size needed to obtain gauge

• Stitch markers, 1 in CC for beg of rnd

• An old felted sweater, craft felt, or similar non-fraying fabric

GAUGE

17 sts and 24 rows = 4 inches in St st with larger needles.

To save time, take time to check gauge.

PATTERN NOTE

The flowers that embellish the hat are cut from a wool sweater that has been felted. To do this, take an old 100 percent (non-superwash) wool sweater, put it through the "hot" cycle on your washing machine, and then place in the dryer. The sweater will become shrunken and felted and may be cut into decorative shapes without danger of fraying. If you prefer, you may use craft felt or another non-fraying fabric. Test for colorfastness by washing before use.

Hat

BODY

With smaller needles and MC, cast on 45 (54, 63, 72) sts. Distribute sts evenly on 3 dpns; place marker for beg of rnd and join, taking care not to twist sts.

Knit 6 rnds.

Change to larger needles and knit 7 rnds. Cut MC.

Join CC and knit 1 rnd, purl 2 rnds. Cut CC.

Join MC and knit 12 (13, 15, 17) rnds.

Next rnd: *K5 (6, 7, 8), place marker; rep from * around.

CROWN

Rnd 1: *Knit to 2 sts before marker, k2tog; rep from * around.

Rnd 2: Knit.

Rep [Rnds 1 and 2] 2 (3, 4, 5) times — 18 sts.

Next rnd: K2tog around, removing all markers — 9 sts.

Next rnd: K2tog 4 times, k1 — 5 sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a 5-inch tail.

Using tapestry needle, thread tail through rem sts, pull tight then secure to WS.

FINISHING

Weave in all ends.

FLOWERS

Place 4 pins evenly spaced around brim to mark points where flower stems are to be embroidered. Using CC and tapestry needle, and starting at green stripe, work 1 to 1 ½ inches of chain st to form stems. For each leaf, work a single large chain st diagonally out from base of stem. Using template cut 4 circles from felted sweater. Cut 5 small triangles from edge of each circle to form petals. Using a small amount of MC, CC or another yarn, sew flowers to hat at top of stems. If desired, use a French knot to decorate center of flowers.

All Buttoned Up Beanie

Calling all girls! This hat not only keeps her warm, but buttons up the back to show off that ponytail too!

DESIGN BY JULIE GADDY

* * EASY

SIZE

Fits child approx 7 years old to teen

FINISHED MEASUREMENT

Circumference (above cuff): 19 ½ inches

MATERIALS

4 MEDIUM

• Plymouth Baby Alpaca Worsted Paint (worsted weight; 100% baby alpaca; 102 yds/50g per ball): 2 balls variegated pinks color #8818

• Size 5 (3.75mm) 16-inch circular needle

• Size 8 (5mm) double-pointed and 16-inch circular needles or size needed to obtain gauge

• Stitch markers, 1 in CC for beg of rnd

• 4 [7/8-inch] buttons

• Matching sewing thread

GAUGE

19 sts and 24 rnds = 4 inches/10cm in St st with larger needle.

To save time, take time to check gauge.

PATTERN STITCH

K1, P1 Rib (even number of sts) Rnd 1: *K1, p1; rep from * around.

Rep Rnd 1 for pat.

Note:When working in rows, work the sts as they present themselves, i.e. knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts.

PATTERN NOTES

The cuff is worked in the round, then a button band is added and the body is worked back-and-forth for 3 inches, after which it is rejoined and finished in the round.

When working the crown, change to double-pointed needles when stitches no longer fit comfortably on circular needle.

Hat

CUFF

With smaller needle, cast on 96 sts; place marker and join, taking care not to twist sts.

Work K1, P1 Rib for 4 inches.

BODY

Row 1 (RS): With larger needle, work 8 sts in established rib (buttonhole band), k88; using backwards loop method, cast on 8 sts for button band, turn — 104 sts.

Row 2 (WS): [P1, k1] 4 times, p88, work 8 sts in established rib.

Continuing to work 8 sts in rib at beg and end of row and 88 sts in St st, work 2 rows.

Buttonhole Row 1 (RS): K1, p1, bind off 2 sts, work in established pat to end.

Buttonhole Row 2: Work in established pat to bound off sts, cast on 2 sts, k1, p1. *Work in established pat for 1 inch, then work buttonhole rows again; rep from *. Work in established pat until hat measures approx 7 inches from beg, ending with a RS row.

Next row (WS): Bind off 8 sts in pat, work to end of row, turn — 96 sts.

Joining rnd: With RS facing, knit all sts around, place marker for beg of rnd, and join, tucking bound off edge to inside of hat.

Work even in St st until hat measures 8 inches and on last rnd, place markers every 12 sts.

CROWN

Rnd 1 (dec): *Knit to 2...