baby hat

A simple dimple project for an old tee shirt or a scrap of fleece to help keep the littlest ones warm this autumn. Any material with a bit of stretch will do.

First, take two measurements of baby's head: from the top of baby's head to behind his ear (measurement A) and around the head at the widest part (divide this number by 4 for measurment B).

For those interested, my little guy is just about wearing US size 9-12 month. His measurement A is 6 5/8" and his measurement B is 4 1/4".

Use your two measurements to create three pattern pieces.

On a sheet of paper, draw a vertical line the length of measurement A. Then, create an 'L' shape with measurement B. Use a rounded line as in the illustration to finish the triangle. This will be your touque piece. The earflaps are approximated to the baby's ear size. I used a 'L' shape with 1 1/2" each side, then finished it again with a rounded line to make a triangle. (I suspect these measurements will have to be altered only slightly for babies smaller or larger.)

For the brim, measurement B forms the bottom part of a rectangle that is approximatley 3 1/2" wide.

All three pieces are cut on a fold. We haven't factored in seam allowances yet, so add them before you cut. Cut 2 of the brim, cut 2 of the touque, and cut 4 ear flaps. If you would like to cut a couple of long strips to use as ties under the earflaps, do so now too. I just cut a length of material about 8" long and 1/2" wide since I was using non fraying material and didn't think I needed to enclose the raw edges. If you like, cut a wider strip and do a double fold and stitch up the sides if you prefer. You can also cut very thin strips of material and braid them together, use bias tape or ribbon, add pom poms to the end, or leave the straps off entirely. You are, after all, your own boss.

Before you start sewing, find yourself a rounded needle (for knits and fleece) for your sewing machine to make your life much, much easier. If you still encounter a lot of stretching while you stitch, try one of your knit stitches on your sewing machine (see your manual), they can save you a bit of a headache too. If you are using a serger, turn your differencial feed up.

Sew your touque pieces right sides together. With right sides still together, align the seams and stitch as indicated in the illustration:This gives it a nice rounded top.

Position two earflaps right sides together with the tie sandwiched inbetween, raw edges aligned in the middle of the rounded bottom. Stitch around rounded portions. Repeat for other earflap.

Sew the two rectangles, right sides together, along the short ends (not measurement B sides) to make a tube.Open the earflaps right sides out. Align the raw edges of the earflap with the raw edge of the midpoint of the seam on the wrong side of the touque. Machine baste the earflap to the touque. Repeat for other earflap on other side of touque.

Fold brim tube in half, right sides together, with raw edges aligned. Align the raw edges of the brim against the raw edges of the wrong side of the touque, with the earflaps sandwiched inbetween. Stitch the brim to the touque. Turn hat inside out, with brim to outside and turned up to conceal seam. Strap hat on baby, strap baby on you, and go for a walk to check out the amazing fall foliage :)

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