Knitting a bucket hat to accessorize the T-shirt [baby pattern]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

This is part 5 of 5 in this series

Go back to part 4: Bamboo Pop Sock knits up an adorable striped T-shirt [free pattern]