Blue and Cream Striped Baby Hat

This fun and cozy hat is not only perfect for keeping your baby warm but also makes for an adorable photo prop! With its simple stripes and playful pom-pom, it’s a quick project to whip up. Let’s get started!

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn (approximately 50g each in cream and blue)
• Size 5 (3.75mm) circular knitting needles or double-pointed needles
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Scissors
• Pompom maker or cardboard for making a pom-pom

Gauge

20 stitches and 24 rows equals 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

Abbreviations

• CO – Cast On
• K – Knit
• P – Purl
• STK – Stockinette Stitch (knit one row, purl the next)
• BO – Bind Off
• PM – Place Marker
• RS – Right Side
• WS – Wrong Side

Instructions

Hat Body

1. CO 60 stitches using cream yarn.
2. Join to knit in the round, being careful not to twist the stitches. Place a marker to indicate the beginning of the round.
3. Work in K1, P1 ribbing for 1 inch (about 8 rows).
4. Change to blue yarn. Knit in stockinette stitch (knit every round) for 4 inches (about 20 rows).
5. Begin striping: Switch to cream yarn and knit 2 rounds, then switch back to blue for 2 rounds. Repeat until you have completed 4 rows of stripes (2 cream and 2 blue).

Crown Shaping

1. Begin decreasing:
   • Knit 8, K2tog (Knit 2 together) – repeat around (54 stitches)
   • Next round: Knit around
   • Knit 7, K2tog – repeat around (48 stitches)
   • Next round: Knit around
   • Knit 6, K2tog – repeat around (42 stitches)
   • Next round: Knit around
   • Knit 5, K2tog – repeat around (36 stitches)
   • Next round: Knit around
   • Knit 4, K2tog – repeat around (30 stitches)
   • Next round: Knit around
   • Knit 3, K2tog – repeat around (24 stitches)
   • Next round: Knit around
   • Knit 2, K2tog – repeat around (18 stitches)
   • Next round: Knit around
   • Knit 1, K2tog – repeat around (12 stitches)
   • Next round: K2tog around (6 stitches)
2. Cut the yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread it through the remaining stitches and pull tight to close the top of the hat. Secure and weave in any loose ends.

Pompom

1. Using a pompom maker or cardboard, create a fluffy pompom with both cream and blue yarn.
2. Aim for a diameter of about 4 inches for a perfect size for the hat.
3. Attach the pompom to the top of the hat securely, ensuring it is well fastened.

Final Touches

Weave in all ends using a tapestry needle, ensuring everything is neat and tidy. This cute striped hat is now ready to keep your baby warm or to be gifted to a little loved one! Enjoy your knitting!