We give you a range of gorgeous handmade gifts to make for baby – from a cute knitted hat with pompom trim to a wrist rattle (designed to amuse a little one on the go) and a fabulous playmat.
Materials
4ply baby yarn (25g balls): 1 ball each lemon (MC), mint (C1) and lilac (C2)
One pair each 2.75mm and 3.25mm knitting needles
Tapestry needle
Measurements
To fit: 3 (6, 12, 24) mths. Fits head: 40 (45, 48, 51) cm.
Abbreviations
K: knit; patt: pattern;P: purl; rep: repeat; st/s:stitch/es.
Tension
32 sts and 42 rows to 10cm over patt, using 3.25mm needles.
HAT
Using 2.75mm needles and MC, cast on 122 (134, 146, 158) sts. Work 22 rows stocking st (1 row K, 1 row P). Change to 3.25mm needles.
Beg patt. 1st and 3rd sizes only. Using C1, 1st row. Knit.
2nd row. K5, P4, K8, P4; rep from to last 5 sts, K5.
3rd row. P5, K4, P8, K4; rep from to last 5 sts, P5.
Rep 2nd and 3rd rows once, then 2nd row once.
All sizes. (This is the 7th row for 1st and 3rd sizes, but 1st row for 2nd and 4th sizes). Using C2, 7th row. Knit.
8th row. P3, K8, P4, K8, P4; rep from to last 11 sts, K9, P3.
9th row. K3, P8, K4, P8, K4; rep from to last 11 sts, P8, K3.
Rep 8th and 9th rows once, then 8th row once.
Note. For all sizes, return to1st row as given for 1st and 3rd sizes for patt.
Using MC, rep rows 1 to 6 incl once.
Using C1, rep rows 7 to 12 incl once.
Using C2, rep rows 1 to 6 incl once.
2nd, 3rd and 4th sizes only. Using MC, rep rows 7 to 12 incl once.
3rd and 4th sizes only. Using C1, rep rows 1 to 6 incl once.
4th size only. Using C2, rep rows 7 to 12 incl once.
All sizes. Shape crown. Using MC (C2, C2, C1),1st row. K3, K2tog, K4, K2tog; rep from to last 3 sts, K3…102 (112, 122, 132) sts.
2nd row. P3, K6, P4, K6; rep from to last 3 sts, P3.
3rd row. K3, P6, K4, P6; rep from to last 3 sts, K3.
Rep 2nd and 3rd rows once, then 2nd row once.
Using C1 (MC, MC, C2), 7th row. K2, K3, K2tog; rep from to end … 82 (90, 98, 106) sts.
8th row. K3, P3, K5, P3; rep from to last 4 sts, K4.
9th row.P4, K3, P5, K3; rep from to last 3 sts, P3. Rep 8th and 9th rows once, then 8th row once.
Using C2 (C1, C1, MC), 13th row. K1, K2tog, K2, K2tog; rep from to last 3 sts, K3 … 62 (68, 74, 80) sts.
14th row. P2, K4, P2; rep from to end.
15th row. K2, P4, K2; rep from to end.
Rep 14th and 15th rows once, then 14th row once.
19th row. K2tog, all across … 31 (34, 37,40) sts.
Break off yarn, run end through rem sts, draw up and fasten off securely.
Pompoms
Make three small pompoms, once in each colour yarn and attach to the crown with a length of twisted yarn.
To make up
Join seam, noting to reverse seam for first 12 rows of stocking st. Allow stocking st to roll onto right side of hat to form purl fabric brim.
