Katie came home from school the other day with the sad news that her teacher (much loved, much appreciated) is leaving the school at our Spring Break next week. It's for the nicest possible reason, though, he and his wife are adopting an 8 month old baby boy. My mind naturally turned to knitting, and I thought it was very funny when Katie came to ask me to knit a little something - I was in the process of finding yarn just for that purpose! I didn't have time to knit a sweater or blanket, but decided on a hat from my go-to baby knit book, Natural Knits for Babies and Moms.
We chose the Beanie Hat, and I used leftovers from my Eyelet Cardi and Liam's Blanket & Hat (from this same book. I love how the soft blue and brown look together.
Particulars:
Pattern - Beanie Hat from Natural Knits for Babies & Moms, by Louisa Harding
Yarn - Blue Sky Alpacas Dyed Cotton, less than half a skein each, sky blue & sand
Needles - 3.75mm and 4.5mm Denise Interchangeables
Modifications - I added one extra stripe before beginning the decreases for the top. I find this hat is always a tad shorter than I would like it to be.
We made Liam model the hat, of course, and it was so cute on him, I used up some more leftovers to knit him one of his own! I cast on for his late in the evening, though, and forgot to change up needle sizes after the ribbing. What a difference this makes! The finished fabric is still soft, but not nearly as drapey or stretchy, and the hat is significantly smaller. I also didn't add the extra stripe, and it really could have used it. The hat fits, though, so I'm not overly inclined to rip it back. And he seems pretty content, anyway. I love how the stripes make a little bulls-eye on his sweet head!
So cute! The hat is great, but mostly the model. CUTE!
Posted by: Melissa | March 11, 2009 at 01:47 PM
Liam looks super cute in his hat. What a heartwarming present for the teacher too, and I am sure she will love it for her new son.
Posted by: sue | March 11, 2009 at 02:34 PM
he's such a cutie! and the hat looks great too
Posted by: colleen | March 12, 2009 at 01:45 PM
Cute hat! And your model is adorable! :)
Posted by: randi | March 12, 2009 at 10:02 PM
I can't believe how cute he is! Nice job on the beanies.
Posted by: Hasbu | March 13, 2009 at 01:27 AM
Nice to catch up with you and your new do - hope your afternoon ritual is still in place and I really must make a Clapotis one of these days!
Posted by: Sarah | March 13, 2009 at 05:30 AM
Sweet, sweet hat, and it's always good to keep the wee noggins warm, sweet of you!
Ahhh, that Liam, love that last photo!
Posted by: marianne | March 13, 2009 at 06:44 AM
That last photo is hilarious. What a cutie! The hat is pretty nice too :)
Posted by: Spinner | March 13, 2009 at 05:51 PM
Ooooh, look at him - gorgeous, both.
Posted by: Nora | March 21, 2009 at 02:53 AM