Baby bonnet free knitting pattern
The baby bonnet free knitting pattern is a fantastic advanced beginner project. If you’ve been wanting to try a cable pattern but aren’t comfortable using cable needles just yet, then this is the right pattern for you. This knitting pattern challenges you just the right way with its simple but complex looking twisted cable like pattern. I personally enjoyed making baby hat and booties because they are quick knit projects and can usually be wrapped up in under 1 skien of yarn and this baby bonnet free knitting pattern is no different. It’s knitted using straight needles in a simple twisted spiral pattern and is ready to use after seaming in a couple of places. It’s a very beginner friendly project and can be your first knitted bonnet too. They also make great last minute gifts for a baby shower or new parents.
This is the right side of the pattern, but the wrong isn’t too shabby either.
Doesn’t it look beautiful?
The wrong side also has a great texture to it.
It makes a great project for mindless knitting because it’s a pretty easy going pattern, once you get the hang of it, so let’s get started.
Supplies:
- Any dk or 4ply weight yarn. I’ve used less than a skien of 4ply yarn
- 2.5mm, long straight/circular knitting needles for the cast on edge (knitted flat)
- 3mm, long straight/circular knitting needles (knitted flat)
- Large Tapestry needle and scissors
Abbreviations:
- CO – cast on
- K – knit
- P – purl
- Right Lean Twist: skip first stitch, knit second stitch in front, without dropping it off the left needle, knit the first skipped stitch now as usual and drop both stitches off if the left needle.
Tips before you start:
- Please read abbreviations section before starting.
- If you are new to knitting, read this post about tips on how to get started.
- Casting on using one size smaller needles and using a stretchy cast on method keeps the edge stretchy and prevents the yarn from breakage with use. Watch THIS video to learn the stretchy cast on.
- If you don’t have long straight needles, use circular needles as the number of stitches are more and might not fit on short straight needles.
A close up pic of the pattern. The right lean twist (RLT) gives a beautiful twisted cord effect
This is the first bonnet I’ve knitted for my baby and I’m actually very happy that it turned out well and is being put to good use.
Gauge:
22 stitches/34rows = 4 inches in the twisted spiral bonnet pattern
The bonnet is 5½ inches wide and 7 inches long and knitted for a 5 month old and fits right, not tight or loose.
Pattern:
Right Lean Twist(RLT):
Skip first stitch on the left needle, knit second stitch in the front, without dropping it off the left needle knit the first skipped stitch now as usual and drop both stitches off.
Bonnet body:
CO 79 or Multiple of (5+2)+2 for the selvedge.
R1: Sl1, P all
R2: Sl1 purl wise, (P2, K1, RLT next 2 stitches, P2)* rep till 1 stitch left, P1
R3: Sl1, P all
R4: Sl1 purl wise, (P2, RLT next 2 stitches, K1, P2)* rep till 1 stitch left, P1
Repeat the above 4 rows until the project measures 10 inches or your desired size.
Cast off and leave a long tail for seaming.
Bonnet strap:
CO 4
R1: Knit all
Repeat R1 until it measures the length you need. I have explained how to calculate the length in the below image.
The bonnet is folded in the below picture. Align the cast on and cast off edge same as the below image and measure the right edge of the bonnet. Double it and add 20 inches. My strap was a total of 30 inches.
Once you have made the body to the desired length, and completed the strap too, sew the back of the bonnet(cast off edge) and attach the strap to the base of the bonnet. So get your tapestry needles ready.
To sew the back of the hat pay close attention to the picture below, where I go through both legs of the stitch on both sides from bottom to top once and top to bottom next.
You are now all done sewing the back part, so let’s tackle the strap next.
Turn the bonnet right side out and align the strap on top of the side edge on the right, as shown in the picture, which becomes the base of the bonnet once it is competed. Align the strap with the bonnet side edge and pin the centre of the strap with the centre of the bonnet side edge. This helps to track the stitches and you don’t accidentally stretch one part too much. Thread a long piece of yarn into a tapestry needle and start sewing.
If you make a bonnet using this baby bonnet free knitting pattern, share it with me on Instagram. I hope it keeps your little one’s head warm just like mine ❤️
Till I post again!
Happy Knitting!
Ranjitha
