welcome hat for sweet baby bubba!

my nephew and godson, toby, and his beautiful wife, jocelyn, are about to become parents for the first time in mid-october! yippee! the perfect excuse to knit a tiny hat for the little guy and bust a little stash at the same time - win - win - win!!

here's how i did it:

supplies: needles: size 2 (3.00mm), double-pointed

yarn: blue moon fiber arts, socks that rock, lightweight - colorway: wavelength

gauge: 28 sts/36 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch

abbreviations:
pm: place marker
ssk: slip one stitch; then slip the next. insert the left needle into the front loops of the slipped stitches and knit them together from this position (through the back loops)
k2tog: knit two together

pattern: cast on 88 stitches and divide among 3 needles (needle #1 and #2 - 30 stitches, needle #3 28 stitches).

join to knit in the round, place marker, and knit 6 rounds in stockinette stitch (knit all rounds).

change to k2,p2 rib pattern and knit 4 rounds.

change to stockinette stitch and knit until piece measures 3 1/2 inches from cast-on edge.

crown of hat:

round 1: *knit 17 stitches, ssk, knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (80 stitches)

round 2: knit.

round 3: remove marker, knit 1 stitch, pm, *knit 15 stitches, ssk, knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (72 stitches)

round 4: knit.

round 5: remove marker, knit 1 stitch, pm, *knit 13 stitches, ssk, knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (64 stitches)

round 6: knit.

round 7: remove marker, knit 1 stitch, pm, *knit 11 stitches, ssk, knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (56 stitches)

round 8: knit.

round 9: remove marker, knit 1 stitch, pm, *knit 9 stitches, ;ssk, knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (48 stitches)

round 10: knit.

round 11: remove marker, knit 1 stitch, pm, *knit 7 stitches, ssk, knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (40 stitches)

round 12: knit.

round 13:  remove marker, knit 1 stitch, pm, *knit 5 stitches, ssk, knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (32 stitches)

round 14: knit.

round 15:  remove marker, knit 1 stitch, pm, *knit 3 stitches, ssk, knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (24 stitches)

round 16: knit.

round 17: remove marker, knit 1 stitch, pm, *knit 1 stitch, ssk, knit 1, k2tog; repeat from * to end of round. (16 stitches)

round 18: knit.

round 19: ssk, knit 1, k2tog, knit 3, ssk, knit 1, k2tog, knit 3. (12 stitches)

round 20: knit.

cut yarn leaving a 12 inch tail. thread yarn on yarn needle and pass through remaining 12 stitches on needle, twice. pull yarn tight and pass through to wrong side and secure by weaving in yarn end. weave in other yarn end. 

tada, a beautiful newborn baby hat!