Accessorizing babies is a lot of fun. As parents, we know that our baby’s accessories are more than just a style. Many of these are designed to protect a baby, but we can’t always get what we want from a store. In this article, we’re going to teach you how to knit a baby hat step by step to make a cute unique piece for your baby.
A Beginner’s Guide To Knitting A Baby Hat
It’s natural to see babies swaddled in a blanket with a hat covering their heads. A baby hat is an essential item for a baby because infants still have trouble regulating their body temperature. An exposed head may cause a baby to lose body heat. Knitting your baby’s hat is a fun project. It’s also a heartwarming activity.
These are the steps on how to knit a baby hat step by step:
You need:
- 16-inch circular knitting needles: 9mm (size 13)
- Wool yarn – level 6 and 54 grams
- Stitch marker
- Pom pom maker
Steps to follow:
- Step 1 – Utilize a long-tail cast-on – use a 45″ tail
- Step 2 – Start casting on 32 stitches
- Step 3 – From round 1 to round 5: knit one and purl one around – 32 stitches
- Step 4 – From round 6 to round 21: knit around – 32 stitches
- Step 5 – Row 22: knit two and knit two together and repeat around – 24 stitches
- Step 6 – Row 23: Knit together and repeat around – 12 stitches
- Step 7 – Row 24: Knit together across – 6 stitches
- Step 8 – Thread the tail and cut the yarn with the last stitches
- Step 9 – Pull it tight
- Step 10 – Tie the knot and hide the end
- Step 11 – Add one or two pom-poms for the hat
- Step 12 – Sew in a label as custom made luxury
The resulting dimensions of this beanie should be 6.25 inches tall, 6 inches in width, and 13 inches in its circumference, which will fit most babies aged six months to 9 months.
Additional Tips For Your Baby Hat
- You can make this hat larger by adding more stitches to its initial cast while adding more rounds to increase height.
- Add an extra stitch at the very beginning for a seamless join. Instead of 32, you can start at 33 stitches.
- You can mix and match colors by choosing more than one wool yarn color.
- If you are doing this as a baby shower gift, use neutral colors in cream and grays.
Note: One skein of your wool yarn can make at least two more of these hats, making it perfect for gifts.
Two Easy Ways: How To Knit A Pom-pom For Baby Hat
A pom-pom is a perfect accessory for the knit hat you just finished. It adds to the aesthetic of what a snow cap should look like. If you don’t have a pom-pom maker, these are two ways to make them yourself:
Method 1 – Use A Fork To Make A Small Pom-pom
Things you need:
- Fork
- Yarn
- Scissors
Steps to follow:
- Step 1 – Cut 6 inches of yarn
- Step 2 – Lay the yarn between the two center tongs of your fork.
- Step 3 – Pull up more yarn and grab the fork with the yarn using your other hand.
- Step 4 – Wrap your pom poms on the fork by holding the end with your thumb.
- Step 5 – Wrap the yarn forty times.
- Step 6 – After wrapping, cut the yarn.
- Step 7 – Pull the strings up and tie a knot.
- Step 8 – Tie one more knot to tighten it.
- Step 9 – Snip all the loops until the pom-pom takes shape.
- Step 10 – Trim the excess yarn.
- Step 11 – Form the desired design.
- And you just created cute baby pom poms with a fork!
Method 2 – Use Your Fingers To Make A Bigger Pom-pom
Steps to follow:
- Step 1 – Cut 6 to 8 inches of yarn.
- Step 2 – Lay the string of yarn between your fingers.
- Step 3 – Hold the end of the ball of yarn with your thumb.
- Step 4 – Start wrapping it around your other four fingers.
- Step 5 – Wrap it around your finger ninety times.
- Step 6 – Cut the tail off.
- Step 7 – Pull the strands and tie a knot.
- Step 8 – Slide it off your hand and secure it with another knot.
- Step 9 – Cut the loops around.
- Step 10 – You can leave it furry or give it a good trim.
And you just created a big pom-pom for your baby’s new knit hat! A great addition after knowing how to knit a baby hat step by step.
How Often Should Babies Wear Hats
Now that you know how to knit a baby hat step by step, the next thing to address is how long babies should be wearing those adorable hats. Let’s look at some of the reasons why babies wear hats.
Heat transfer
- Babies’ heads are proportionately bigger than their bodies, which results in more heat transfer.
- A hat prevents excessive heating or cooling.
Check the weather
- If the weather is chilly, your baby should be wearing a hat.
- Be observant about the weather. If you feel chilly, your baby will most likely feel the same way.
- When a baby’s hands, feet, or trunk are cold, these are indicators that a baby is cold. Babies do not shiver the way adults do, so just be observant of your baby’s behavior.
- As a general rule of thumb, babies need one more layer of clothing.
And you just created a big pom-pom for your baby’s new knit hat! A great addition after knowing how to knit a baby hat step by step.
Be careful about overheating.
- Your baby can start overheating at any time of the year. Watch out for signs like a rapid heartbeat, vomiting, or confusion.
NOTE: Infant caps are no longer necessary when you get home. Always be cautious about weather changes so you can decide on the extra coverage.
Conclusion
Knitting hats for your baby is not just useful for them. It can also be a very therapeutic thing for you. Now that you know how to knit a baby hat step by step, you can start learning to knit other accessories too. Get more tips on baby clothes.