Seed-Stitch Infant Set in Cascade 220 Superwash Paints

Click to see detail of stitch pattern.

Materials: 1 skein Cascade 220 Superwash Paints (220yds/100g) or 100g of any other DK-weight yarn

Needles: US size 6 16" circular, US size 6 8" double points, US size 6 straight needles (only if you don’t like knitting flat on circular needles)

Gauge: 5 sts/inch in stockinette stitch

Notions: Stitch markers, tapestry needle, 1/4" ribbon-2 yds

Hat

Using size 6 16" circular needle, CO 72 sts. Join, making sure not to twist and place a marker for the beginning of the row.

Work in seed stitch for 8 rows.

Change to stockinette st and knit 12 rows.

Change back to seed stitch and work another 24 rows (44 rows worked altogether).

Decrease for the crown as follows:

Set-up Row: *SSK, work in Seed Stitch for 14 sts, K2tog, place a marker* repeat the section between the stars 3 more times which should bring you to the end of the row.

Row 1: *K1, work in Seed Stitch until you are 1 st before the marker, K1, slip marker* repeat this section three more times.

Row 2: *SSK, work in Seed Stitch until you are 2sts before the marker, K2tog, slip marker* repeat this section three more times.

Repeat rows 1 and 2 until 8 sts remain changing to double points when necessary. Break the yarn and thread the end through the remaining sts and sew in your ends.

Tassel: I put a tassel on this hat, but you can use a pompom or even just leave it plain. Make the tassel as follows:

Take a 4" square piece of fairly thick cardboard and wrap yarn around it to the desired thickness.

Cut three 12" pieces of yarn and slide them under the yarn around the cardboard. Pull them to the edge and tie them tightly, then braid them for about three inches.

Tie a knot in the end to secure the braid, making sure to leave some unbraided end for attaching the tassel to the hat.

Carefully pull the yarn off the cardboard and wrap more yarn around it below the braided tie.

Wrap it 15-20 times or until you feel it is secure.

Tie the wrapped yarn and tuck the knot under the wrapping.

Now cut open the other end of the tassel and trim it to the desired length. Remember that you don’t want the tassel bopping the baby in the face.

Attach the tassel to the top of the hat with the braid and sew in the ends.

Booties

Using #6 straight or 16” circular needles, CO 24 sts. Work in Seed Stitch for 8 rows.

Make eyelet on next row: YO, K2tog across

Next row: Purl

Change to St st and make the instep as follows:

K 18 sts, turn (there should be 6 sts left on the left-hand needle)

Next row: Sl 1, P11, turn (again, there are 6sts left on the needle)

Work the remaining 12 center sts in St st, slipping the first stitch of every row for 12 more rows ending with a purl row.

Form the sides as follows:

Set-up Row 1: Sl1, K11, pick up and K 8sts along the side of the instep, K across the remaining 6 sts, turn.

Set-up Row 2: P26, pick up and K 8sts along the other side of the instep, P across remain 6 sts. There should now be 40 sts on the needle.

Work in Seed Stitch for 10 rows.

Bind off all stitches.

Sew up the back of the bootie and the bottom of the foot. Cut 9” of ribbon and thread it through the eyelet row and tie a bow at the front of the ankle.

Trim the ribbon to desired length.

Repeat for second bootie.

Mittens

Using size 6 8" double points, CO 24 sts. Join, being careful not to twist, and work in Seed Stitch for 8 rows.

Make the eyelet row as follows:

YO, K2tog around. Change to St st and work 20 rows.

Decrease as follows:

Row 1: K2, K2tog around.

Row 2: K1, K2tog around.

Row 3: K2tog around.

Break the yarn and thread it through the remaining stitches and sew in your ends.

Cut an 8" piece of ribbon and thread it through the eyelet and tie a bow.

Trim the ribbon to desired length.

Repeat for second mitten.

There are a couple of schools of thought about whether to put a string on the mittens. I’ve been taken to task both for putting on a string and for leaving it off. You’ll have to make your own decision. If you’d like a string, cut three strands of yarn, two feet long each. Braid them, cut them to the desired length and attach them to the mittens.