Basic Baby Hat

I've been knitting like crazy here, and I love it!

The most recently finished project is a really basic baby hat.

I used a self-striping sock yarn, and I like how it turned out. Would you like to knit your own?

Basic Baby Hat

Materials:
Less than 1 skein sock yarn or other lightweight baby yarn. I used Lion Brand's Magic Stripes yarn.
US size 4 straight needles or dpns

Gauge:
6 stitches per inch in stockinette stitch

Notes:
This pattern is knit flat, but could easily be adjusted for knitting in the round. To knit in the round, CO 72 instead of 74sts, join for knitting in the round, and then k1p1 around for 8 rounds. Follow pattern as written.

Pattern:
CO 74 stitches using the long tail cast-on method, and leaving at least an 8" tail.
Row 1: K2, (p1, k1)repeat across to establish 1x1 ribbing pattern
Rows 2-8: knit in pattern
Row 9 and following: knit in stockinette stitch until piece measures 4" from the cast on edge.

Decreasing:
Row 1: (k8, k2tog)repeat across
Row 2 and all even rows: knit even in stockinette
Row 3: (k7, k2tog) repeat across
Row 5: (k6, k2tog) repeat across
Row 7: (k5, k2tog) repeat across
Row 9: (k4, k2tog) repeat across
Row 11:(k3, k2tog) repeat across
Row 13:(k2, k2tog) repeat across
Row 15:(k1, k2tog) repeat across
Row 17: k2tog across

Finishing:
Draw a 6" tail of yarn through remaining stitches and pull tightly, fastening off.
Seam the sides, from the ribbing to the top, using the 8" tail from the cast-on and mattress stitch to create an invisible seam. What's mattress stitch? Find out here.

 

Let me know what you think! Link back to my blog if you try it, please! 

more vintage sheets!

My mom and my sister came to visit me yesterday! It was a lovely, full day - tea party, cupcakes, lunch, shopping, puzzle-ing, dinner - with many hugs in between. I'm so glad they came!

In our shopping adventures, we went thrifting (of course). I got an almost-new fleece half-zip pullover by Columbia, and I picked up two vintage sheets. Surprise!

Both twin-size sheets are my favorite No-Iron Percale, 50% cotton, 50% polyester. I'm seeing a couple of aprons for my sisters-in-law, maybe a crib-sized baby blanket (quilted, perhaps? I've been wanting to try...), possibly a summery skirt for me - but right now, they look like happy tablecloths draped across my table!

Norah seems to approve of the $2.99 price tag. The other sheet was just $1.50. So great - I couldn't buy the amount of fabric for that little, and I love it!

I also had a little time this week to do some sewing. My sewing machine was fixed, thanks to my husband's aunt and mother, who took it to a reputable shop in their area. I made a little something to thank my MIL:

...a sleep mask.

It has fleece on the back, with this pretty black-and-white toile on the front.
Do you think she'll like it? I hope so!