Bairns' Baa-ble hats

 

 

I get asked often how to convert the Baa-ble hat pattern for bairns, you can either knit the pattern in a thinner yarn as I did in the Peerie Baa-ble hat or you can resize the original as I will show you in this post using Aran weight yarn.  I have given details for two smaller sizes which I will call small and extra small.

 The small should fit an older child or a small adult head and the extra small should fit a younger child (age 3 - 5).  The models here are both 4 but there is a big difference in their head size!

Size small:  Circumference: approx. 46 cm / 19.4 inches; Height from edge of hat when turned up: 20cm / 7.35 inches.
Size extra small: Circumference:  approx 41cm / 16.25 inches; Height from edge of brim when turned up: approx. 17cm / 6.75 inches.

Firstly download the Baa-ble hat pattern from the Shetland Wool Week website, if you haven't already!  I have only given details on stitch numbers etc. in this post so for more details (and the chart of course) you will have to use the original pattern.

Size Small

With Aran weight yarn and size 4.0mm needles cast on 84 stitches.  Work 20 rows of 2x2 rib. 

Next row: Keeping the rib correct increase one stitch after 4 stitches and then after 3 stitches.  Repeat this for the remainder of the round. (This means you increase 2 stitches for every 7).  (24 stitches increased making a total of 108 stitches)

Switch to size 4.5mm needles. 

This is when you start following the chart with the sheep motifs.  As the hat crown decreases are in multiples of 12 you will need to remove 12 stitches from one repeat of the chart.  You need to remove the last sheep (the large sheep), except for the first stitch of the sheep.  This stitch should be black instead, or whatever colour you are using between the sheep.

An easier way to do it is to knit to the end of the round, you will be left with one stitch where the large sheep would be starting and knit another stitch the same colour as the one you have just knitted. 

Follow the chart to row 20.  Do not knit rows 21-25 but jump to row 26 and follow the decreases for the crown. 

Complete the hat by following the instructions on the pattern. 

 

 

 

Size Extra Small

 

Cast on 76 stitches.  Work 2x2 rib for 20 rounds. 

 

Next round: *K2, P2, M1*  Repeat from * to * to the last 4 stitches, K2, M1 ,P2, M1 (20 stitches increased making a total of 96).

 

Switch to size 4.5mm needles. 

This is when you start following the chart with the sheep motifs.  As the hat crown decreases are in multiples of 12 you will need to remove 24 stitches from the round (two decrease sections).  You need to remove the last sheep (the large sheep) from the chart, except for the first stitch of its fleece.  This stitch should be black instead, or whatever colour you are using between the sheep.  Your chart will now be a total of 48 stitches, half the number in the round.

Knit this new chart from right to left as normal and then repeat to give you a complete round.

 

Knit rounds 1 - 16.  Do not knit rows 17-25 but  jump to row 26 and follow the chart for the decrease section.   

 

Finish the hat by following the instructions on the pattern.

 

I hope this makes sense - it is easier to do than to explain so just give it a go!

 

 

This shows what mostly went on during the five minute photo session - They say you should never work with children or animals, at least the animals here are behaving!