Sunday 6 September 2015

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! 
 
 
 
 

35 comments:

  1. Awww, so cute! And thanks for the patterns :D

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  2. hi get error DATABASE CONNECTION going to the shetland wool week website. perhaps you can let them know?

    so cant get the original pattern.
    thanks

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    Replies
    1. Hi Southern Gal, the page seems to be OK, you could maybe try it again?

      Delete
    2. Please how do we get the pattern the I have tried everything. I filled out the email twice and never received the pattern. anwatson8@gmail.com

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  3. Oh thank you thank for this post! I was thinking I'd have to do some math on my own to figure out how to make the hat smaller for my kiddos. I also didn't even realize it until today but I used your decrease rows with the stranded work on another hat I made! I'm so excited to make this hat that I'm measuring my kids' heads already... but really should make myself finish some other projects or they get lost in my WIP pile :). And I think small typo with the sizing on the Small hat? It should say 19.4" for circumference not 9.4"?

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  4. I've tried a few times to get the pattern. Both my mom and I have tried to get it from the Shetland wool week website but the email never comes with the pattern. We've checked spam and junk folders. Is there another way to get it? I already bought the yarn to make it!

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    Replies
    1. Hi can you email selina.miller@promoteshetland.com and she will email it when she has a chance. The website is crashing due to the high number of downloads

      Thanks Donna

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  5. Im having the same problem! Please help.
    Saw so many of them at Rhinebeck this year, that I can't wait to make it.
    My e-mail is wsoto94758@aol.com
    Thanks,
    Wendy

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    Replies
    1. Hi Wendy, sorry to hear you are having problems downloading the pattern, can you please email Selina.miller@promoteshetland.com (the Shetland wool week coordinator) and she will send it to you. Thanks,
      Donna

      Delete
  6. Love the idea of smaller hats for the wee ones! Your models are beyond adorable, too.

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  7. My bairns love my hat and I love the fact I can just knit theirs without having to think :-D

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  8. Do any of the patterns, child or adult, come with written instructions as well as the chart? I've never worked from a chart and I'm not sure if I can figure out how. Thank you so much. I love this hat and really want to be able to make one for my 6 yr old granddaughter. This would be my first colorwork project as well.

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  9. Thank you so much for posting these adjustments! Can't wait to make a smaller matching version to my adult-sized one!

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  10. Hi Donna,
    I would like to make this beautiful hat for my kids, but I am unable to find the chart on the SWW website. I only found this years SWW pattern. Could you please publish a link to it?
    Thanks a lot
    Jana from the Czech republic

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    Replies
    1. The pattern is now available for a small fee on ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baa-ble-hat

      let's support this awesome artist!

      Delete
  11. I cannot access the pattern on the website. Is there a way you could again provide a link? Or email? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The pattern is now available for a small fee on ravelry: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/baa-ble-hat

      let's support this awesome artist!

      Delete
  12. can you add instructions for interpreting the chart please? Thank you!
    Regina

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  13. Does anyone have an actual child xs pattern? I bought the adult one but would like to have a chart for the child one. Thanks!

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  14. Can you clarify what to do at the end of row 6 of the chart in the Small child's version of this pattern?

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  15. Hello,
    I am trying to find the pattern for Bairns' Baa-ble hats. Have had no luck. Can you help me?
    Thanks,
    Bev

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  16. Pattern download is not available on that site. Says page not found 😭

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  17. Hello Donna. I purchased the pattern from Ravelry and am having trouble downloading it. My android phone says it's in the wrong format. Thks for any help.

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  18. Never mind Donna. I finally got it to download. Thks.

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  19. I have the pattern and do you remember the yarn colors used in the above young boys hat using the grays? By any chance are they from Jamiesons of Shetland? I finished the Baa ble hat using the browns and what a fun pattern!

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  21. I am trying to knit the extra small hat and don't know what to do as far as the decrease to 46 stiches... when and how do I decrease to 46 stitches please help I love this pattern I want to make a hot for my grandchildren and my daughter and son-in-law as well I'm in the middle of making the first hat which is extra small and I'm totally confused because it seems like the big sheep plus another sheep comes off please help I'm in the middle of this thanks so much I look forward to knitting more of your designs. Thank you

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  25. This is still my favorite hat pattern of all time. Have made many, and will continue to do so!

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  26. I bought the main pattern. Is the gauge for the 4 mm or the 4.5 mm needles?

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  27. Est-il possible de m'envoyer pour enfant ? claire.meyer42@gmail.com
    Merci beaucoup

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