Karen's Bonnet (baby/child)

Karen’s Bonnet is a beautifully shaped baby and children’s bonnet with a traditional smocking texture.

It’s worked back and forth from the front edge towards the back of the head. Stitches are gradually increased and then decreased so the bonnet fits closely around the head.

The crown is finished in the round and shaped with decreases. A casing is worked along the lower edge at the end, ready for the bonnet ties or drawstring.

Yarn notes

This pattern is designed for a standard 4 ply yarn.

Look for a yarn with approximately:

• 220–250 metres per 50 g

• Good elasticity

• A smooth finish

• Clear stitch definition

• A soft feel suitable for babies and young children

A soft merino, baby wool or smooth wool blend would work well.

Avoid very fluffy or heavily textured yarns, as they may hide the smocking pattern.

The pattern uses two different gauges:

• 38 stitches over 10 cm in smocking stitch

• 28 stitches over 10 cm in stocking stitch

Both are worked on 3 mm needles.

Sizing

Sizes:
0 months (1–2 months) 3–6 months (6–12 months) 1–2 years (2–4 years)

To fit head circumference

• 0 months: 34–36 cm

• 1–2 months: 37–39 cm

• 3–6 months: 40–43 cm

• 6–12 months: 43–45 cm

• 1–2 years: 45–48 cm

• 2–4 years: 48–50 cm

Yarn requirements

Use a 4 ply yarn with approximately 235 metres per 50 g.

Approximate total metreage:

• 0 months: approximately 90 m

• 1–2 months: approximately 100 m

• 3–6 months: approximately 115 m

• 6–12 months: approximately 130 m

• 1–2 years: approximately 150 m

• 2–4 years: approximately 180 m

One 50 g ball should be enough for every size.

If you are substituting yarn, check the metreage on the label rather than relying only on the ball weight.

Gauge

Smocking stitch

38 stitches = 10 cm on 3 mm needles.

Stocking stitch

28 stitches = 10 cm on 3 mm needles.

The smocking gauge is especially important because it determines how closely the bonnet fits around the head.

Work your swatch in the smocking pattern rather than relying only on a plain stocking-stitch swatch.

Needles and notions

• 3 mm circular needle, approximately 60 cm long

• 3 mm double-pointed needles

• Stitch markers

• Tapestry needle

• Cord, ribbon or knitted ties for the drawstring casing, as directed in the pattern

Difficulty

★★★☆☆

Intermediate

A quick tip before you start

Choose a smooth yarn that allows the smocking texture to stand out.

The bonnet is designed to fit quite closely, so check both your gauge and the child’s head measurement before choosing a size. If the child is between sizes, consider how much growing room you would like before deciding which size to knit.