This week, I’m knitting with Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop Sock, which is a stretchy, vibrant, and colorful, self-patterning yarn that’s 100% wool free. This is a great yarn for making cheerful warm weather socks, accessories, baby knits, and more.
Yesterday, I addressed the baby knits component by making the Spot the Tee T-shirt using a stripe (Morning Glory) and solid (Equator). So today, I’m knitting an accessory to go with the T-Shirt by making a hat, using the same two colors of Bamboo Sock Pop.
Bamboo Pop Sock in stripes and solids, Soak, and Knit Picks circular knitting needles
Here is another free pattern for a hat (Little Lace Bucket Hat) designed for a different sock yarn. Even though the recommended gauge for the yarn is the same as Bamboo Pop Sock, the hat pattern calls for a gauge of 22sts = 4” [10cm] using a US4 [3.5mm] needle in stocking stitch. This seemed rather strange to me, so I took the same approach as I did for the T-shirt.
The Little Lace Bucket Hat
This time, the pattern doesn’t have a schematic, but it’s designed for 3 different sizes and includes the measurements for each size. Once again, I determined that if I use the stitch count for the largest size, I’ll end up with the smallest.
I basically only used this pattern as a guideline for the stitch count and when to start decreases for the crown as I want to incorporate the solid color and a different motif for the brim.
This hat is worked in the round using the Magic Loop method. Even though my smaller circular needle is 24”, I managed to figure out how to make it less awkward for doing Magic Loop. I scrunched up all the stitches onto the left needle which freed up more cord, making it easier to knit.
materials
yarn
- 1 3.5oz [100g] ball each of Bamboo Pop Sock in Morning Glory and Bamboo Pop Sock Solid in Equator
needles
- 1 US3 [3.25mm] Knit Picks circular needle for garter stitch sections and 1 US4 [3.5mm] Knit Picks Interchangeable needle for stocking stitch sections.
gauge 27sts = 4” [10cm] in stocking stitch
abbreviations
K = Knit
P = Purl
K2tog = Knit 2sts together
YO = Yarn over – bring yarn to the front before knitting the next stitch
St(s) = Stitch(es)
Dec = Decrease
Instructions
Using US3 [3.25mm] needle and Equator (solid color) cast on 120sts.
Join in the round, being careful not to twist stitches.
Work 6 rounds in garter stitch (knit 1 round, purl 1 round).
Change to US4 [3.5mm] needle and with Morning Glory, Knit 1 round
*YO, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round – Repeat this round 11 more times – 12 rounds total
Decrease round: *K2, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round – 30sts dec = 90sts.
Change to smaller needle and Equator and work 6 rounds of garter stitch (knit 1 round, purl 1 round).
Change to US4 [3.5mm] needle and Morning Glory and knit until work measures 4 ¾” from cast on edge.
Crown Shaping
Decrease Round(s): *K13, K2tog, repeat from * to end of round (6sts dec) – Each decrease round will Knit 1 less stitch before the K2tog.
Work 4 Decrease Rounds every alternate round 4 times (24sts dec = 66sts).
Knit 1 Round.
Then work Decrease Round every round until 24sts remain.
K2tog to end of round, 12sts remain.
K2tog to end of round, and cut yarn leaving a long tail to weave through the remaining 6sts twice.
Pull tightly and secure.
Weave in all ends.
My version of the Little Lace Bucket Hat made with Bamboo Pop Sock in Morning Glory and Equator
I checked the measurements of my finished hat and compared them to the pattern. I’m pleased to say that it’s right in line, which is really good because I made a second hat … this time using Wildflowers and Jam.
My version of the Little Lace Bucket Hat made with Bamboo Pop Sock in Wildflowers and Jam
I just had to use a shade of the Pantone Color of the Year – Magenta! Besides, I fully intended to make a pink set as well as a blue set. The expecting parents don’t know the sex of their new baby, so I want to be prepared either way.
Back on Day 1, I said that I would let you know how I fared with using the Knit Picks Circular Knitting Needles. On Day 2, I itemized the needle attributes that are important to me as being:
- The tip and material of the needle
- The flexibility and size of the cord
- The transition from the cord to the needle
I’m giving every point a positive checkmark. Even though it was a little cumbersome to do a Magic Loop with the 24” circular, that’s a given for any brand of needle but, I was able to overcome the awkwardness. I normally use metal needles, but had no issue with the Rainbow wooden needle, and the transition from the cord to the needle was smooth for all 3 of the needles.
There is one issue however; I went to start another pair of socks with the US1.5 [2.5mm] needles and I couldn’t figure out why the yarn kept snagging. As it turns out, one (or both) of my adorable fur babies (Loki and Scarlet) climbed on my worktable and chewed the cable. I liked using that needle, so I’m rather disappointed. Now I’m trying to find a way to smooth out the teeth marks so I can use it again. I’ll let you know if I find a solution.
Bamboo Pop Sock is perfect for socks, baby knits, accessories and more!
I’m really pleased with how my projects turned out this week. If you recall, the theme for this week was Stripes and Solids and I think Bamboo Pop Sock in both the self-patterning stripes and solid colors complemented each other nicely. There are so many colors to choose from that it may take a while to find the perfect combination, just because of all the options available.
Now that my projects are finished, I’ll give them a wash with Soak, and lay them flat to dry. I’ll finish making another T-shirt in Wildflowers and Jam and I want to knit another pair of shortie socks for myself in Morning Glory. I’m looking forward to the warmer weather ahead so I can wear them on my daily walks.
Two T-shirt and hat sets knitted with Bamboo Pop Sock plus a pair of socks!
I have quite a bit of the yarn left, so I’m hoping to knit the Sand & Sky Top, which is another free pattern designed for Bamboo Pop Sock, but I’ll have to be very creative about using the 4 different colors together.
I hope you enjoyed this week’s posts and I know you’ll enjoy knitting with Universal Yarn Bamboo Pop Sock to make your own socks, baby knits, accessories and more!
Happy knitting.
