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Hat Description

Baby I-cord is a stocking stitch beanie worked from the top down. It starts with a series of I-cords at the very top of the crown, then is worked downwards to the brim. The brim is also worked in stocking stitch, which results in a rolled brim.

Pattern Availability

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Pattern Support

If you have a question about this pattern, pop it in a comment below. Sorry, but I’m unable to help with my free patterns or tutorials via email or private messages.

Social Media

Share your hand-knit Hats online with these hashtags!
#WoollyWormhead
#WWBabyICordHat

Yarn

99yd/90m/50g
Aran weight, multi-plied yarn.

Needles & Notions

Set 4.5mm/UK7/US7 DPNs/Circular or size needed to obtain gauge
Stitch marker as necessary
Tapestry needle

Sample Details

Shown in Ashford Tekapo [218yd/199m per 100g; 100% Wool]

Shown in size 16in/40.75cm on model with 16in/40.75cm circumference head

Note

Not sure which size to make? Grab a tape measure! Babies’ heads vary greatly – a typical newborn size is roughly 14in, typical year is 18in but these are only averages.

Gauge

18 sts x 24 rows to 4in/10cm on 4.5mm needles over St.St.

Sizes

To fit sizes: 12 [14, 16, 18] in/30.5 [35.5, 40.75, 45.75] cm
Finished size: 11.5 [13.25, 15, 16.75] in/29.25 [33.75, 38, 42.5] cm

Not sure which size to make? Check my handy size and measuring guide!

Skills Required

Cable Cast-on
Knitting in the round
Increases and Decreases
I-cords
Standard Bind-off
Blocking a Hand Knit Hat

Abbreviations

K: knit
P: purl
rpt: repeat
R/rnd(s): rounds
st(s): stitch(es)
kfb: knit into the front and back of the stitch
M1: pick up the horizontal loop before the next stitch, place it onto the left needle and knit into the back of it
k2tog: knit next 2 sts together

Single I-Cord version

Cast on 3sts

Knit I-cord for 3in/7.5 cm or desired length.

Next Rnd: *kfb; rpt from * to end [6sts]

Multiple I-Cord versions

Knit each I-cord separately. More than 4 I-cords gets a bit tricky and messy; ideally 2 or 3 is neatest. You need to aim towards 6 sts to start the crown increases.

You need to aim towards 6 sts to start the crown increases. As you have completed your last I-cord, don’t break the yarn; leave it on the needle.

Add the other I-cords to the left-hand end of the DPN, with all cut ends laying in the same direction as the working I-cord, i.e. to the left. You will now work across them, working them together as follows:

2 I-cords

You will have 6sts, which is the desired amount to start the crown increases.

3 I-cords

There will be 9sts.

Next row: *K1, k2tog; rpt from * to end. [6sts]

4 I-cords

There will be 12sts.

Next row: *k2tog; rpt from * to end. [6sts]

Plain Beanie

For a plain Hat without I-cord, cast on 6sts.

Crown (all versions)

Rnd 1: *K1, M1; rpt from * to end [12 sts]

Join in the round, being careful not to twist sts. Place stitch marker to indicate start of round.

(if you find on this row that picking up the loop for M1 is difficult, then increase the extra stitch by knitting into both the front and the back of the first stitch of the repeat. Picking up the loop will be easier in later rounds)

Rnd 3: *K1, M1, K1; rpt from * to end [18 sts]

Rnd 4: *K1, M1, K2; rpt from * to end [24 sts]

Rnd 5: *K1, M1, K3; rpt from * to end [30 sts]

Rnd 6: *K1, M1, K4; rpt from * to end [36 sts]

Rnd 7: *K1, M1, K5; rpt from * to end [42 sts]

Rnd 8: *K1, M1, K6; rpt from * to end [48 sts]

Rnd 9: *K1, M1, K7; rpt from * to end [54 sts]

Carry on increasing in this fashion, increasing 6 sts per round until:

Carry on increasing in this fashion, i.e. one extra stitch in each repeat, increasing 6sts per round until you have 54 [60, 72, 84] sts

Body

Work plain stocking stitch (knit every round) until Hat measures 4 [4.75, 5.5, 6.25] in/10.25 [12, 14, 16] cm from crown or until desired length.

Cast off loosely and allow edge to roll.

Finishing

Weave in all ends and block as required.

Need Help With This Pattern?

If you’ve a question about this pattern, please pop it in the comments below and I’ll get back to you as soon as I can! I’m afraid I’m unable to offer help via email or private message, but you’re welcome to post in our forum.

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