Knitted Colour Play Baby Hat – free knitting pattern

 Introducing the Knitted Colour Play Baby Hat, a delightful accessory that will add a touch of charm and warmth to your little one's wardrobe. Crafted with love and care, this hat is designed to keep your baby snug and cozy during those chilly days. The intricate knitting pattern showcases a beautiful array of colors, creating a playful and eye-catching look that is sure to capture everyone's attention. The combination of vibrant hues and soft, high-quality yarn makes this hat a fashion statement for your little fashionista. The careful attention to detail is evident in every stitch, ensuring a comfortable fit and durability that will last through countless adventures. Whether you're taking your baby for a stroll in the park or attending a family gathering, this hat will not only keep them warm but also make them the center of attention with its unique and charming design.

Yarn – Knitca Delight yarn, 100% superwash merino wool, 150m / 164yds in a 50g / 1.7oz ball: 1 ball of main colour and 1 ball of contrasting colour 1 and 1 ball of contrasting colour 2. Hats in the photo are shown in colours Cardinal, Cobalt Blue and White.

Needles – 3.5mm (US4) double pointed needles (for seamless version of the hat), or straight needles (for a hat with a seam at the back)

Notions – wool needle and 8 stitch markers

SIZE

Newborn, Baby, Toddler

Instructions are given for smaller size, with larger size in parentheses. When only 1 number is given, it applies to all sizes.

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS

Circumference (slightly stretched) – 36 (41, 46) cm /14 (16, 18)”
Length – 15 (18, 20) cm / 6 (7,8)”

GAUGE

25 stitches and 30 rows = 4” / 10cm in stockinette stitch

COLOUR PATTERNS

Colour pattern 1 (thin stripes)
2 rounds/rows in contrasting colour 1, 2 in main colour, 2 in contrasting colour 1, 2 in contrasting colour 2, [2 in contrasting colour 1, 2 in main colour], repeat brackets to end

Colour pattern 2 (wide stripes)
4 rounds/rows in contrasting colour 1, 4 in contrasting colour 2, [4 in contrasting colour 1, 4 in main colour], repeat brackets to end

INSTRUCTIONS

Seamless hat worked in the round

1. With main colour cast on 88 (96, 104) stitches. Arrange stitches evenly on 4 needles = 22 (24, 26) stitches on each needle. Join for working in the round and place a marker for beginning of the round. Be careful not to twist stitches when joining.

2. Work in 2×2 ribbing for 6 rounds:

[knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches], repeat the brackets to the end of the round.

3. Change to contrasting colour 1 and work according to colour pattern 1 or colour pattern 2 in stockinette stitch in the round (knit all stitches in every round) until the hat measures 9 (12, 14) cm / 3.5 (4.75, 5.5)” from the cast on.

4. Shape crown. Continue to work in established pattern while shaping the crown as follows:
Next round (set up round): [knit 9 (10, 11), knit 2 stitches together, place marker] repeat brackets to end.
Next round (plain round): knit all stitches
Next round (decreasing round):[knit to 2 stitches before marker, knit 2 stitches together, slip marker to the right needle], repeat to end
Repeat “Plain round” and “Decreasing round” until you have 16 stitches left.
Repeat “Plain round” one more time.

5. Cut the yarn leaving a 10cm / 4″ tail. Thread the yarn tail into a wool needle and draw it through remaining 16 stitches. Pull tight and secure.

6. Weave in loose ends.

Hat knit flat with a seam at the back of the hat

1. With main colour cast on 88 (96, 104) stitches.

2. Work in 2×2 ribbing for 6 rows:

[knit 2 stitches, purl 2 stitches], repeat the brackets to the end of the row.

3. Change to contrasting colour 1 and work according to colour pattern 1 or colour pattern 2 in stockinette stitch (knit all stitches in one row, purl all stitches in the next row) until the hat measures 9 (12, 14) cm / 3.5 (4.75, 5.5)” from the cast on.

4. Shape crown. Continue to work in established pattern while shaping the crown as follows:
Next row (set up row): [knit 9 (10, 11), knit 2 stitches together, place marker] repeat brackets to end. Don’t place a marker after the last repeat.
Next row (plain row): purl all stitches
Next row (decreasing row): [knit to 2 stitches before marker, knit 2 stitches together, slip marker to the right needle], repeat to end
Repeat “Plain row” and “Decreasing row” until you have 16 stitches left.
Repeat “Plain row” one more time.

5. Cut the yarn leaving a 30cm / 12″ tail. Thread the yarn tail into a wool needle and draw it through remaining 16 stitches. Pull tight and secure.

6. With the knit side of the hat facing to you, align two sides of the hat and sew the back seam with yarn tail. Use mattress stitch and start stitching from the top of the hat.

7. Weave in loose ends.