Sunshine Blanket and Hat Baby Set

Materials:

• RED HEART® Soft Baby Steps® - 4 balls 9200 Baby Yellow
• Susan Bates® Circular Knitting Needles: 5.5mm [US 9] 29” long.
• Susan Bates® Knitting Needles: 5.0mm [US 8]
• Yarn needle
• Stitch markers

Measurements:

Blanket measures: 36” wide x 36” long [91 cm x 91 cm].

Directions for hat are for 6-9 months.

Change for size 12-16 months is in parentheses.

Finished circumference: 17” (18”) [43 cm (46 cm)]

Abbreviations:

cm = centimeters

k = knit

k2tog = knit 2 sts together

mm = millimeters

p = purl

RS = right side

st (s) = stitch(es)

yo = yarn over

* = repeat whatever follows the * as indicated

WS = wrong side

Gauges:

Baby Blocks Blanket: 16 sts = 4” [10 cm] and 20 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Block pattern.

Hat: 18 sts = 4” [10 cm] and 30 rows = 4” [10 cm] in Garter stitch.

CHECK YOUR GAUGE. Use any size needle to obtain the gauge.

Special Abbreviations:

K2tog = Knit 2 stitches together. Insert the right needle into two stitches at the same time and knit. This will result in a decrease of one stitch. This decrease will slant to the right.

YO = Yarn over needle.

Stitches:

K2, P2 Rib = Knit 2 sts, Purl 2 sts. On following rows, knit the knit sts and purl the purl sts.

Garter Stitch = Knit every row.

Seed Stitch = Knit 1 st, purl 1 st for given number of sts. On following rows, knit the purl sts and purl the knit sts.

Block Pattern:

(over 16+8 sts)

Row 1 (Right Side): *K8, P8* across row, end K8.

Row 2 (Wrong Side): *P8, K8* across row, end P8.

Rows 3-10: Repeat Rows 1-2.

Row 11 (Right Side): *P8, K8* across row, end P8.

Row 12 (Wrong Side): *K8, P8* across row, end K8.

Rows 13-20: Repeats Rows 11-12.

Repeat Rows 1-20 for Block Pattern.

Note:

Blanket is worked back and forth on circular needles to accommodate the large number of stitches. Do not join.

Tips & hints:

Join a new ball of yarn when there is approximately 6” [15 cm] of yarn left from the old ball. Weave these ends in neatly on the wrong side of the fabric in a zig-zag pattern for a few inches, then trim off excess.

Instructions

BLANKET

Using 5.5 [US 9] circular needles, cast on 134 sts.

Rows 1-10: Work in Seed st.

Next Row (Right Side): Work first 7 sts in Seed St for border, place marker, work Row 1 of Block Pattern over next 120 sts, place marker, work last 7 sts in Seed st for opposite border pattern.

Note: Continue to work 7 sts in Seed st on first and last 7 stitches on every row to establish border pattern and work Block Pattern inside stitch markers.

Rows 11-20: Continue in Block Pattern Rows 2-10.

Rows 21-30: Continue in Block Pattern Rows 11-20.

Continue alternating 10 rows Block Pattern for a total of 16 blocks.

Next Rows: Work 10 Rows in Seed st. removing all stitch markers.

Bind off all sts loosely.

FINISHING

Weave in ends.

Note:

First set of numbers is for size 6-9 months, larger size is in parenthesis. Hat is worked back and forth in rows and seamed closed in back.

HAT

Using 5.0mm [US 8] needles, cast on 72 (80) sts.

Rows 1-6: *K2, P2* to end of row.

Rows 7-24 (7-30): Knit every row.

Hat will measure 4½” [11 cm] (5)” [13 cm] from cast on edge.

Begin crown decrease as follows:

Row 1 (Right Side): *K6, k2tog* — 63 (70) sts

Row 2 (Wrong Side): Knit across row.

Row 3: *K5, k2tog* — 54 (60) sts

Row 4: Knit across row.

Row 5: *K4, k2tog* — 45 (50) sts

Row 6: Knit across row.

Row 7: *K3, k2tog* — 36 (40) sts

Row 8: Knit across row.

Row 9: *K2, k2tog) — 27 (30) sts

Row 10: Knit across row.

Row 11: *K1, k2tog* — 18 (20) sts

Row 12: Knit across row.

Row 13: *K2tog* — 9 (10) sts.

Cut yarn, leaving a 12” [30 cm] tail. Using yarn needle, thread yarn through needle and draw through remaining sts twice, draw up firmly and fasten securely. With right sides facing, align back seam and sew seam closed.

FINISHING

Weave in ends, block lightly to shape.