Baby Bear Hat

This cozy Baby Bear Hat is designed for infants up to 3 months. The hat is simple to knit and makes a great gift for baby showers or a sweet handmade addition to your baby’s wardrobe!

Materials

• 1 skein of soft grey worsted weight yarn (approx. 100 yards)
• US Size 8 (5.0 mm) knitting needles
• Stitch marker
• Tapestry needle for weaving in ends
• Lightly stuffed for ears (optional)

Gauge

18 stitches and 24 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch.

Abbreviations

• K = knit
• P = purl
• St = stitch
• RS = right side
• WS = wrong side
• Inc = increase (knit into the front and back of a stitch)
• BO = bind off

Instructions

1. Cast On: Cast on 60 stitches (sts) using your preferred method.
2. Ribbing (1 inch): K1, P1 across the row for 8 rows to create a stretchy brim.
3. Main Body of Hat: Switch to stockinette stitch:
   • Row 1 (RS): K all sts.
   • Row 2 (WS): P all sts.
   • Repeat Rows 1 and 2 until the piece measures 5 inches from the cast-on edge.
4. Shaping the Top: Begin decreasing:
   • Row 1 (RS): K8, K2tog; repeat from * to end (54 sts remain).
   • Row 2 (WS): P all sts.
   • Row 3: K7, K2tog; repeat from * to end (48 sts remain).
   • Row 4: P all sts.
   • Row 5: K6, K2tog; repeat from * to end (42 sts remain).
   • Row 6: P all sts.
   • Row 7: K5, K2tog; repeat from * to end (36 sts remain).
   • Row 8: P all sts.
   • Row 9: K4, K2tog; repeat from * to end (30 sts remain).
   • Row 10: P all sts.
   • Row 11: K3, K2tog; repeat from * to end (24 sts remain).
   • Row 12: P all sts.
   • Row 13: K2, K2tog; repeat from * to end (18 sts remain).
   • Row 14: P all sts.
   • Row 15: K1, K2tog; repeat from * to end (12 sts remain).
   • Row 16: P all sts.
   • Row 17: K2tog across (6 sts remain).
5. Finish: Cut yarn, leaving a long tail. Thread the tail through the remaining stitches and pull tight to close the top. Secure the tail inside the hat.
6. Ears (make 2): Cast on 6 sts. Then:
   • Row 1: K all sts.
   • Row 2: Inc in first stitch, K to end (7 sts).
   • Row 3: K all sts.
   • Row 4: Inc in first stitch, K to end (8 sts).
   • Row 5: K all sts.
   • Row 6: Inc in first stitch, K to end (9 sts).
   • Rows 7-10: K all sts.
   • Row 11: K2, K2tog, K5 (7 sts).
   • Row 12: K2, K2tog, K3 (5 sts).
   • Row 13: K2, K2tog, K2 (4 sts).
   • Row 14: K to end (4 sts).
   • Row 15: K2tog twice (2 sts remain). Cut yarn, leaving a long tail, thread through remaining stitches and pull to gather. Stuff lightly if desired.
7. Attach Ears: Sew the ears to the top of the hat securely. Make sure they are placed evenly apart.

Weave in any remaining ends, and your adorable Baby Bear Hat is ready for use!

Happy Knitting!