Baby Garter Bonnet
One garter rectangle, one seam. Frames a baby’s face and covers the ears.
- Yarn
- DK (3) soft superwash wool or cotton.
- Needles
- US 6 (4 mm)
- Sizes
- Preemie to 24 months (hat chart). Example: newborn, finished hat 13.5 in, height 5 in.
- Example gauge
- 22 sts and 44 rows = 4 in (10 cm) in garter
- Yarn needed
- About 70 yd (65 m) DK for newborn.
Do the math
The examples use the gauge above. Put your own swatch into the gauge calculator first, then use your numbers in each formula.
| Step | Formula | Example | Tool |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cast on (face edge) | finished hat × 0.8 × sts per in | 13.5 × 0.8 × 5.5 = 59.4 → 60 sts | Cast-On Calculator |
| Depth | chart hat height | 5 in = 55 → 56 rows | Size Charts |
Materials
- DK (3) yarn (see yarn needed)
- US 6 (4 mm)
- Tapestry needle
- 1 small button (optional)
Gauge swatch
Garter swatch.
Instructions
Rectangle
Cast on (example: 60). Knit every row to the depth (example: 56 rows / 28 ridges). Bind off, leaving a 12 in tail.
Back seam
Fold the rectangle in half so the bind-off edge folds onto itself. Seam the bind-off edge with the tail. This is the back of the head; the cast-on edge frames the face.
Neck band
With RS facing, pick up 1 st per ridge along the neck edge (both sides). Knit 4 rows. Bind off.
Finishing
- For a strap: cast on 5 sts, knit 3 in, then work a buttonhole row: k2, yo, k2tog, k1. Knit 2 rows and bind off. Sew to one side and add the button to the other.
- Weave in ends securely.
Designer’s notes
- Turn back the first 1 in of the face edge for a brim.
- Safety: use a button strap rather than long ties.
Counter set-up
Counter 1: ridges.
Open the row & stitch counter for several counters, or use the quick one below.
Want it on paper? This pattern is in Quick Gifts in an Evening, a printable PDF of 12 patterns with photos and row tallies ($8).
Tools for this pattern
- Gauge CalculatorEnter your swatch counts to get stitches and rows per 4 in (10 cm).
- Cast-On CalculatorEnter your width and gauge; it rounds to the stitch multiple for you.
- Size ChartsLook up the finished measurements for the size you are making.
- Yarn Quantity CalculatorPick the project, size and yarn weight to get total yardage and skeins to buy.
- Row & Stitch CounterSet up the counters listed below; the screen stays awake while you work.