The Free Pattern
FINGERING-WEIGHT VERSION (7 sts = 1"/2.5cm)
FINISHED SIZE
Newborn: 13–14"/33–36cm circumference x 5¾"/15cm deep.
(Small Child: 15–16"/38–41cm circumference x 6¼"/16cm deep.)
Information given for Newborn size; Small Child size given in parentheses ( ).
YARN
Newborn size: 1 skein My First Regia (115 yds/105m).
Small Child size: 2 skeins My First Regia. Sample shown in color 1815.
Or approx. 110 (120) yds/100 (110)m of a fingering-weight yarn.
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 2 (2.75mm) 16"/40cm circular and double-point needles, or size to obtain gauge.
1 stitch marker.
Darning needle to finish.
For rolled-edge version only:
US 1½ (2.5mm) 16"/40cm circular, or one size smaller than gauge needle.
GAUGE
28 sts/48 rounds = 4"/10cm.
GLOSSARY: K = knit; Tog = together; P = purl; St(s) = stitch(es).
Plain-edge version: Using larger circular needles, cast on 95 (105) sts. Place marker and join in round, being careful not to twist. Proceed to Seed-stitch section.
Rolled-edge version: Using smaller circular needles, cast on 95 (105) sts. Place marker and join in round, being careful not to twist. Knit every round until work measures 1"/2.5cm from cast-on edge, unrolled. Proceed to Seed-stitch section and change to larger needles.
Seed-stitch section (both versions):
Round 1: *P1, K1*, repeat between * * to last stitch, P1.
Round 2: *K1, P1*, repeat to last stitch, K1.
Repeat Rounds 1 & 2 (knitting over purls and purling over knits) until work measures approx. 3¾"/9.5cm (4¼"/10.5cm) from cast-on edge for plain-edge version; or 4¾"/12cm (5¼"/13cm) from cast-on edge for rolled-edge version. End having worked a Round 2.
Decrease rounds: Note: On Decrease rounds, ‘work 3Tog’ will alternate between P3Tog and K3Tog; work the appropriate decrease to stay in pattern. Pull resulting stitch a little snug to avoid loose decreases. Note also that decreases do not ‘stack’; counting stitches between decreases in decrease rounds will ensure proper placement. Change to double-point needles when necessary.
Round 1 (Decrease round): Beginning with P1, *work 16 (18) sts in seed st as established, work 3Tog*; repeat between * * four more times. [85 (95) sts] Rounds 2–4: Work even in seed stitch (NO decreases).
Round 5 (Decrease round): Beginning with P1, *work 14 (16) sts in seed stitch, work 3Tog*; repeat between * * four more times. [75 (85) sts].
Repeat Rounds 2–5 two more times, working two fewer sts between ‘work 3Tog’ on each Decrease round. [55 (65) sts].
Now repeat Rounds 4 & 5 only until 5 sts remain.
I-cord top (optional): Knit all 5 sts onto one double-point needle; don’t turn. *Slide sts back to right end of needle, bring yarn across back firmly and knit 5 sts again.* Repeat between * * until cord is 1"/2.5cm or desired length (to tie a top knot, 2¼"/5.5cm is required).
Finishing: With darning needle, thread tail through all 5 sts; draw tail up tightly. Thread tail down into I-cord or center of plain top; weave in ends on wrong side. (Note: on rolled edge, weave in end on knit side, which is inside of roll). Wet block or steam gently as desired.
SPORT-WEIGHT VERSION (6 sts = 1"/2.5cm)
FINISHED SIZE
Newborn: 13–14"/33–36cm circumference x 5¾"/15cm deep.
(Small Child: 15–16"/38–41cm circumference x 6¼"/16cm deep).
Information given for Newborn size; Small Child size given in parentheses ( ).
YARN
For either size: 1 skein Debbie Bliss Baby Cashmerino (137 yds/125m), or
Approx. 100 (110) yds/92 (100)m of a sport-weight yarn.
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 4 (3.5mm) 16"/40cm circular and double-point needles, or size to obtain gauge.
For rolled-edge version only: US 3 (3.25mm) 16"/40cm circular, or one size smaller than gauge needle.
1 stitch marker. Darning needle to finish.
GAUGE
24 sts/44 rounds = 4"/10cm.
GLOSSARY: K = knit; Tog = together; P = purl; St(s) = stitch(es).
Plain-edge version: Using larger circular needles, cast on 85 (95) sts. Place marker and join in round, being careful not to twist. Proceed to Seed-stitch section.
Rolled-edge version: Using smaller circular needles, cast on 85 (95) sts. Place marker and join in round, being careful not to twist. Knit every round until work measures 1"/2.5cm from cast-on edge, unrolled. Proceed to Seed-stitch section and change to larger needles.
Seed-stitch section (both versions):
Round 1: *P1, K1*, repeat between * * to last stitch, P1.
Round 2: *K1, P1*, repeat to last stitch, K1.
Repeat Rounds 1 & 2 (knitting over purls and purling over knits) until work measures approx. 3¾"/9.5cm (4¼"/10.5cm) from cast-on edge for plain-edge version; or 4¾"/12cm (5¼"/13cm) from cast-on edge for rolled-edge version. End having worked a Round 2.
Decrease rounds: Note: On Decrease rounds, ‘work 3Tog’ will alternate between P3Tog and K3Tog; work the appropriate decrease to stay in pattern. Pull resulting stitch a little snug to avoid loose decreases. Note also that decreases do not ‘stack’; counting stitches between decreases in decrease rounds will ensure proper placement. Change to double-point needles when necessary.
Round 1 (Decrease round): Beginning with P1, *work 14 (16) sts in seed st as established, work 3Tog*; repeat between * * four more times. [75 (85) sts] Rounds 2–4: Work even in seed stitch (NO decreases).
Round 5 (Decrease round): Beginning with P1, *work 12 (14) sts in seed stitch, work 3Tog*; repeat between * * four more times. [65 (75) sts].
Repeat Rounds 2–5 two more times, working two fewer sts between ‘work 3Tog’ on each Decrease round. [45 (55) sts].
Now repeat Rounds 4 & 5 only until 5 sts remain.
I-cord top (optional): Knit all 5 sts onto one double-point needle; don’t turn. *Slide sts back to right end of needle, bring yarn across back firmly and knit 5 sts again.* Repeat between * * until cord is 1"/2.5cm or desired length (to tie a top knot, 2¼"/5.5cm is required).
Finishing: With darning needle, thread tail through all 5 sts; draw tail up tightly. Thread tail down into I-cord or center of plain top; weave in ends on wrong side. (Note: on rolled edge, weave in end on knit side, which is inside of roll). Wet block or steam gently as desired.
DK-WEIGHT VERSION (5½ sts = 1"/2.5cm)
FINISHED SIZE
Newborn: 13–14"/33–36cm circumference x 5¾"/15cm deep.
(Small Child: 15–16"/38–41cm circumference x 6¼"/16cm deep).
Information given for Newborn size; Small Child size given in parentheses ( ).
YARN
1 skein Filatura di Crosa Zara (137yd/125m). Shown in color 1490 Dark Denim.
Or approx. 100 (110) yds/92 (100)m of a DK-weight yarn.
NEEDLES & NOTIONS
US 6 (4mm) 16"/40cm circular and double-point needles, or size to obtain gauge.
1 stitch marker.
Darning needle to finish.
For rolled-edge version only: US 5 (3.75mm) 16"/40cm circular, or one size smaller than gauge needle.
GAUGE
22 sts/44 rounds = 4"/10cm.
GLOSSARY: K = knit; Tog = together; P = purl; St(s) = stitch(es).
Plain-edge version: Using larger circular needles, cast on 75 (85) sts. Place marker and join in round, being careful not to twist. Proceed to Seed-stitch section.
Rolled-edge version: Using smaller circular needles, cast on 75 (85) sts. Place marker and join in round, being careful not to twist. Knit every round until work measures 1"/2.5cm from cast-on edge, unrolled. Proceed to Seed-stitch section and change to larger needles.
Seed-stitch section (both versions):
Round 1: *P1, K1*, repeat between * * to last stitch, P1.
Round 2: *K1, P1*, repeat to last stitch, K1.
Repeat Rounds 1 & 2 (knitting over purls and purling over knits) until work measures approx. 3¾"/9.5cm (4¼"/10.5cm) from cast-on edge for plain-edge version; or 4¾"/12cm (5¼"/13cm) from cast-on edge for rolled-edge version. End having worked a Round 2.
Decrease rounds: Note: On Decrease rounds, ‘work 3Tog’ will alternate between P3Tog and K3Tog; work the appropriate decrease to stay in pattern. Pull resulting stitch a little snug to avoid loose decreases. Note also that decreases do not ‘stack’; counting stitches between decreases in decrease rounds will ensure proper placement. Change to double-point needles when necessary.
Round 1 (Decrease round): Beginning with P1, *work 12 (14) sts in seed st as established, work 3Tog*; repeat between * * four more times. [65 (75) sts] Rounds 2–4: Work even in seed stitch (NO decreases).
Round 5 (Decrease round): Beginning with P1, *work 10 (12) sts in seed stitch, work 3Tog*; repeat between * * four more times. [55 (65) sts].
Repeat Rounds 2–5 two more times, working two fewer sts between ‘work 3Tog’ on each Decrease round. [35 (45) sts].
Now repeat Rounds 4 & 5 only until 5 sts remain.
I-cord top (optional): Knit all 5 sts onto one double-point needle; don’t turn. *Slide sts back to right end of needle, bring yarn across back firmly and knit 5 sts again.* Repeat between * * until cord is 1"/2.5cm or desired length (to tie a top knot, 2¼"/5.5cm is required).
Finishing: With darning needle, thread tail through all 5 sts; draw tail up tightly. Thread tail down into I-cord or center of plain top; weave in ends on wrong side. (Note: on rolled edge, weave in end on knit side, which is inside of roll). Wet block or steam gently as desired.