FO Friday: Square Top Baby hat

(Again using Curious George in lieu of a baby model.)

Okay, okay, technically, I finished knitting this hat almost 2 weeks ago.
But I made this crazy rule that I would finish one present a day for the next week or so, and embellishing this hat made for a small but permissible cheat.

The hat was very easy to make, and if anyone else wants to make one too then read on to see how it was made. Keep in mind I'm not a professional pattern-person, and feel free to mention if you see any mistakes. :)




Simple Garter Stitch Baby Hat  <<<with a very original title, too!

Measurements:
7.5" wide, 5.5" tall
I think I am calling this a size 6-12 months, based on babies in my family.
(To make a larger hat, you could up the needle size to a 5 or 6 and it should fit a toddler. Who may or may not just take the darn thing off.)
For reference, Curious George has a 17" head circumference.


Materials:

• 1 skein in each color of Rowan Cashsoft DK*
• 16" Circular needle in size to get gauge- I used 3's
• Set of size 3 dpns (or whatever size to get gauge)
• Tapestry needle
• Sewing needle and thread
• Adorable little applique to suit your baby (I got mine at Joann's)
• 4 stitch markers
  *One skein in each color is enough to make 2 hats.

Gauge:
20 st and 40 rows per 4" in garter stitch.

Method:
Cast on 84 stitches with Main Color. Join in the round. (Yes that means we are doing garter stitch in the round. There is a jog at the back of hat.)

Jog at back of hat.

Do K2 P2 ribbing for 12 rounds or until ribbing measures about 1.5 inches.

*Switch to Contrasting Color and knit one round, purl one round. These two rows make one stripe.
Switch back to Main Color. Knit one round Purl one round.*

Continue working these four rounds until hat measures 4.5 inches.

On your final purl round, place markers as follows:
*P21, pm* repeat throughout round.
You will have placed a total of 4 markers.

Note: this method of decreasing makes a very boxy top:

Begin crown decreasing: 
Note: change to dpns when necessary
Round 1: *k2tog, knit to 2 st before marker, ssk, repeat from * to end
Round 2: Purl

Repeat rounds 1 and 2 until 12 stitches remain. (This is a total of 9 decrease rounds)

Final round: *K2tog, ssk* around

Break yarn.
Thread stitches onto tapestry needle, pull tight and secure.
Embellish as desired; I chose to place my little bird a bit off-center.

Now your hat is done!

****************************************************************


OH! And I forgot to mention some very exciting news!
Have you heard of Amy Herzog? Some of her designs were featured in the Fall 2011 Knitscene. She is very well known for helping knitters modify patterns to fit their bodies perfectly. To me, she is totally a knitting celebrity.
Anyway, perhaps the coolest thing I've run into all year are her Fit to Flatter blog posts. They are all available to read for free on her blog, and they walk you through how to modify and choose patterns that are best for your body shape. Well, she is coming to Sunnyvale on Saturday to do a full-day fit to flatter class! So yes, I am going to drive all the way to Sunnyvale to meet this incredible person and learn exactly what shape I am and how to avoid those projects that I really really want, but just wouldn't look right on me. (Like anything with puff sleeves. I shoulda been a quarterback!!)
So, yes. I am really excited about that and so my Super Stitches Sunday will probably be replaced by a post about what we did over in Sunnyvale at Purlescence Yarns.

As usual, love up on Tami's Amis here.