Free Knitting Pattern: Purl Bumps Baby Hat

Well, it's February now, and I am still fighting the respiratory crud I woke up with on New Year's Day. 

Happy 2014, y'all...

I've been busy knitting while camping out on the couch, and I've finished another baby beanie.

This Purl Bumps hat comes in two variations, beaded and bead-less, and is worked in the round. The pattern can be easily modified to make a larger size- just make sure you add stitches in multiples of 4.  (For example, CO 100 instead of 60 stitches for an adult-sized hat.)


Size: 0-3 months

Materials needed:

Size 9 Circular Needles (24-26" cord)

Worsted weight yarn of your choice (I used Caron Simply Soft and used less than 1/3 skein for this hat)
Stitch marker
Tapestry needle for finishing

Optional: 1 Pack of 4mm beads (like these from Hobby Lobby)
Small crochet hook for adding beads to the yarn (Unless you prefer to pre-string your beads. I hate stringing beads, but it's up to you!)

Abbreviations:

CO - cast on
K - knit
P - purl
K2tog - knit two together
PM - place marker


Instructions:

CO 60 using Long-tail cast on

Join, being careful not to twist. PM

K1P1 Rib for 5 rows (about 1”)

Pattern Stitch:

Row 1: Knit all

Row 2:  K2, (P1, K3) around

Row 3: Knit all

Row 4: P1, (K3, P1) around

Repeat pattern until hat measures 5 ½ - 6"

*For beaded variation, place bead on every stitch that says to purl using the crochet hook method (click for KnitPicks.com's tutorial) and knit the stitch.

Decrease:

Row 1: (K2, K2tog) around

Row 2:  Knit all

Row 3: (K1, K2tog) around

Row 4: Knit all

Row 5: (K2tog) around

Row 6: Knit all

Row 7: (K2tog) around

Cut yarn, draw through the remaining stitches on needles, and weave in ends.

This pattern is free for personal and charity use. You may sell items made from this pattern as long as you give me credit as the designer. If you wish to share my pattern, please link to this post. Do not copy this pattern in part or in whole.

If you have trouble with the pattern or find any errors, please let me know. I will correct them as soon as possible!

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Here's my attempt at a photo of the beanie "in action." I don't have a wee one to model my beanies, so I tried to fill the hat with a ball of chunky yarn. 

The picture didn't turn out as nice as I hoped, but it isn't bad. When my cousins have their kids, I'll have to baby-nap one to use as a model!

Happy knitting! 

(post updated to add sizing and fix some wording)