Gezellig

Since I mentioned whipping up a matching hat for the Sacque de Bèbè (pattern also posted below), I thought it only fitting that I give you the "pattern" for the hat that *I* whipped up. I use the term pattern loosely, because it's really just a set of general directions. (Does that make anyone else think of Monty Python? Heh heh heh - in your general direction ... I mean ... I'm sorry.) Here we have: Gezellig. (Yes, I am aware that I am mixing languages. It's my blog, and I'll mix if I want to.) You can find a downloadable pdf HERE.

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Gezellig: The Kleine Koozie Hat

Use a bulky weight yarn, nice and soft as this is for a baby's little noggin. I used Lion Brand Homespun, from the same skein as my Sacque de Bèbè.

Using a 12 inch pair of 5mm circular needles, or a set of 4 dpns, (or a looooong circ for magic loop, or 2 separate circs of the same size -whatever your preferred method of knitting in the round) cast on 40 stitches. I like to use the long tail cast on, as it creates a nice stretchy, but neat, edge.

Join in the round, place a marker if you like, and knit on in stockinette stitch (all knit rounds, since you are knitting in the round) for about 4 inches from cast on edge. The brim will roll up slightly, mirroring the rolled edge of the Sacque de Bèbè. You could always work the first 4 rounds or so in 1x1 ribbing or garter stitch if you'd rather not have the rolled brim. Now you will begin the decrease rounds. (Note: you will soon have to switch to dpns, magic loop, or 2 circulars if you have been using a 12 inch circ, as the circumference gets too small. I suggest using dpns, as you will need them for the i-cord finish anyways.)

(K2tog, K8) 4 times, 4 stitches decreased - 36 st.

Knit 1 round plain.

(K2tog, K10) 3 times, 3 stitches decreased - 33 st.

Knit 1 round plain.

(K2tog, K9) 3 times, 3 stitches decreased - 30 st.

Knit 1 round plain.

Continue decreasing in this manner 9 more times (18 rounds), having 3 fewer stitches at the end of each decrease row, and knitting 1 round plain in-between decrease rows. You should have 3 stitches left.

Using these 3 stitches, knit about 6 inches of i-cord. In case you haven't done i-cord before, let me explain. It's basically a cool (albeit tedious if it goes on for much longer than you are doing here) method of making a very thin tube. You have three stitches on one dpn, and knit them, onto the second dpn. Then slide them to the end of that needle - you are NOT TURNING your work - and knit them again, onto the first dpn. Again, slide them to the other end, and do NOT turn your work, ever. You will want to make sure you knit fairly tightly, because your first and third stitches will have a gap between them where you've gone to the next round (slid to the other working end of the needle) if you knit too loosely. HERE is a nice little video tutorial on how to knit an i-cord.

When the i-cord is long enough for your taste, K2tog, place this stitch back on the left hand needle, and K2tog again. Draw yarn through this last stitch, and weave it down into the i-cord. Now tie the cord in a little knot, loop it, or what-have-you, and your hat is finished! You know how you pop a tea cozy on the teapot to keep your tea at the proper temperature? You can pop *this* on your baby for the same general effect, but with much cuter results, obviously.