Little Lamb

Here is a new pattern for your little lamb.  Enjoy!

Little Lamb Baby Hat

Yarn: DK weight, Elann DK04 superwash merino

Needles: 4mm (US 6)

Gauge:  22 sts to 4” in stocking stitch,  AND  18 sts to 4” in Lamb Stitch Pattern (after blocking)

Size: 6 months to 1.5 years. (Infant)

***** a knowledge of pattern knitting required here, you need to get a “feel” of how the bobbles are placed, so that you can handle the back of head decreases without counting EVERY stitch in the pattern.  NOT for beginners**************

k FBF:  means knit into the front, then back, then front again, creating new three stitches in one stitch.  It is the start of the bobble.

k 3tog:  means knit three together,  reducing three stitches back to one.  It is always done three rows above the start of the bobble.

HAT:

Cast on 57

Work 6 rows in K1, P1 ribbing.

Next row: Row 7:  (right side) Purl across

Row 8: knit across

Row 9: Purl

Row 10:  k2, k FBF, [k3, k FBF] times 13, k2

Row 11: purl

Row 12: knit

Row 13: p2, p 3tog, [p3, p 3tog] times 13, p 2

Row 14: k4,k FBF, [k3, kFBF] times 12, k4

Row 15: purl

Row 16: knit

Row 17: p4, p 3tog, [p3, p 3tog] times 12, p4

Rows 10 thru 17 make the Lamb Stitch Pattern.

Repeat this pattern until hat measures 4 inches from the start. *** make sure you have just finished row 13 or 17 (57 stitches)****

Find the center stitch, and place markers on each side.

Right side facing: continue in pattern, decrease one stitch on each side of center stitch.  Continue to decrease here every right side row.  As you go, stop doing the bobble if it will be within 3 stitches of center stitch.  Here is where you need to learn to place bobbles at the right place by instinct.  Sorry if that is difficult….   But the bumps could be a little mis-aligned and still look cute!

Keep pattern and decreases until total length is 6inches from start.  Cast off all stitches.

Sew back of head seam.

Pick up 48 across bottom edge, and work 6 rows of k1, p1 ribbing.  Cast off loosely.

TIES:  make two: cast on 30 stitches, next row cast off 30 stitches.  Sew to bottom front .

EARS: Cast on 20 sts.  Work in seed stitch (Row one:  k1, p1, repeat. Row2: knit the purls, purl the knits) for 2”.  Decrease one each side every other row until 2 sts, knit both together, and bind off.

Sew pink fabric lining (optional)

Fold in three and hand sew to middle of side of hat (see photo)