Pixie Ruffles Baby Hat

Needle and yarn

Needle: US 2 / 2.75 m 16" circular, US 3 / 3.25 m 16" circular and US 3 DPN

Yarn: Lang Bebe Color

Amount: 1 skeins = 222.0 yards (203.0m)

Colorway: 0075 (self patterning yarn)

NOTE: Read through the pattern first as there are two different ways to begin this project. The first start is for those who do not like to purl, the second start is for those who do not like to sew a seam. Choose one of these start methods, then work on through the pattern.

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First start (for those who do not like to purl): With US size 2, 16" circular or straight needle, cast on 204 stitches. NOTE: Do not join until after the first 8 rows as this is the border of your hat.

Hat Border: Knit 8 rows back and forth on US size 2 - 16" circular needle or straight needle (do not join). Once these rows are complete, you will see 4 knit ridges plus your cast-on row. Knit remainder of hat in stocking stitch (knit every round after joining on circular needle).

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Alternative start (for those who do not want to sew a seam): With US size 2, 16" circular, cast on 204 stitches. Join being careful not to twist and pm at beginning of round. P1 round, K1 round {repeat until you have 8 rows}.

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Either start continues on from here:

Hat Ruffle:

First row (knit every round for stocking st in the round): If you selected the first start for those who do not like to purl, join in round taking care not to twist, and place marker at beginning of round. If you chose the alternative start, continue knitting in the round. Switch to US size 3 circular needle and knit one round.

Decrease round: Continue knitting in the round and decrease 25 stitches evenly across to marker.

Next round: Knit all stitches around to marker.

Repeat these two rows 3 times more until you have 104 stitches remaining. These four decrease rounds create the "ruffle" part of the hat.


Body of Hat:

Continue to knit every round on 104 stitches until piece measures 4 inches from end of hat boarder (where you started knit every round). Be sure to measure to check length before starting decrease rounds for the crown of the hat.

Switch to US size 3 DPN (or use magic loop method on circular needle) and decrease as follows:

• First round: *K6, K2 together* and repeat around to marker
• Second round (and every alternate round): Knit
  
• Third round: *K5, K2 tog* and repeat around to marker
• Fifth round: *K4, K2 tog* and repeat around to marker
• Seventh round: *K3, K2 tog* and repeat around to marker
• Ninth round: *K2, K2 tog* and repeat around to marker
• Eleventh round: *K1, K2 tog* and repeat until you have 6 stitches left on your needles.

Top Loop of Hat (Optional - if you don't want a top loop just reduce to 1 st and pull through final loop and weave in ends):

Knit around on remaining 6 stitches until you have an iCord about 2 1/2 - 3" long (more or less to your taste). Once your iCord is the desired length, knit 2 together around until you have 3 stitches left. Cut yarn leaving a long tail and pull through last loops to close off. Thread the yarn tail through a darning needle, and draw the yarn through the inside of the hat making a loop with the iCord. Turn hat inside out, secure the yarn and weave in end to finish.

If you chose to knit your brim back and forth in knit stitch, sew up the seam on the boarder (not necessary if you chose to knit in the round from beginning).


Copyright 2009 - T. Oreglia (Knitswsticks Designworks)

You may use this pattern for your own personal use but you do not have permission to reprint, distribute or modify to use or sell for commercial distribution (in other words, not for commercial use), or post this pattern as your own.

American Civil War Socks

As an introduction to this sock pattern, I thought I would share a little bit of military sock knitting history with you. During the American Civil War, women knitted socks for soldiers in order to do their bit for the cause. It was considered a great honor and duty for all who could provide this service (and a way for the women to participate in the war effort).

In the Chicago Times, June 25, 1862, the following verse was written:

"Soldiers brave, will it brighten the day,
And shorten the march on the weary way,
To know that at home the loving and true
Are knitting, and hoping, and praying for you?"


During this time, there was a significant lack of funds for military clothing. Socks were an item especially required, and often a "call to the needles" was published in various papers asking women to knit socks for soldiers.

I found a pattern on the internet published in the "Mobile Register and Advertiser, January 1, 1864". I thought that you might enjoy reading it (I tried the pattern, and knit up a pair of socks in modern sock yarn and larger needles. The original pattern calls for about a size 00 needle, too small for my liking!)


Original pattern can be found at:

http://www.uttyler.edu/vbetts/mobile_reg_and_adv_64.htm

I modified the pattern to use size 2 needles and modern sock yarn (self striping to jazz them up), and cast on 64 stitches at the cuff so I can wear them -- grin.

Also, when you read the pattern - "plain = knit" and "seam = purl". The rib is k1p2, don't slip the first stitch on heel, pick up stitches on every row of the heel, finally reduce instep on every round instead of every other round (this will pucker somewhat - but it seems that it was the fashion). The heel is constructed with a 3 needle bind off following the 3" heel flap and 5 rows of reducing on either side of the seam.

I think it's interesting that there is a seam created with a single purl stitch at the back of the leg. I think this may be because socks were originally sewn out of material, and the seam became a tradition rather than a necessity when they started knitting socks (not certain of this - just my idea on how the pattern evolved).


Keep on knitting!