Easy to Knit Sweet Baby Hat

This may seem like a simple project amid the sea of knit hat patterns for newborns, but the basic structure of Red Heart Yarn's Easy to Knit Sweet Baby Hat knits up quick and keeps baby's head warm.



Directions are for size Preemie; changes for size Baby are in parentheses.

Hat Circumference: 12 inches (14 inches).

Materials:

• RED HEART® ―"Soft Yarn" 4 oz (113 g), 204 yd (187 m) balls: 1 ball 9930 Baby Print
• Knitting needles, 5mm [US 8]
• Yarn needle

Gauge: 16 sts = 4 inches; 23 rows = 4 inches in St st. CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needle to obtain the gauge.

K2, p2 Rib (worked over a multiple of 4 sts)
Row 1 (Right Side): * K2, p2; repeat from * across.
Repeat Row 1 for K2, p2 rib.

Instructions:

HAT
Cast on 48 (56) sts.
Brim
Work in K2, p2 rib for 1 (1½) inches, end by working a wrong side row.
Begin St st with a k row, and work even until piece measures 4½ (5½) inches from beginning, end by working a wrong side row.
Shape Crown
Row 1:  * K6, K2tog; repeat from * across–42 (49) sts.
Rows 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 12 (Wrong Side): Purl across.
Row 3:  * K5, k2tog; repeat from * across–36 (42) sts.
Row 5:  * K4, k2tog; repeat from * across–30 (35) sts.
Row 7:  * K3, k2tog; repeat from * across–24 (28) sts.
Row 9:  * K2, k2tog; repeat from * across–18 (21) sts.
Row 11:  * K1, k2tog; repeat from * across–12 (14) sts.
Cut yarn, leaving an 8 inch tail. Thread through remaining sts, pull tightly to secure.

FINISHING
Sew back seam. Weave in yarn ends.