Bibs and hats make excellent baby projects.
A hat with a matching bib is makes an excellent gift for new or expecting parents. The items will be used often, and knit up quickly. They can also be embellished in many ways. While there are many patterns and several techniques for knitting hats and bibs, knitting a hat and bib using the same yarn and needles produces a more consistent look. Yarns that are elastic and absorbent are best for this project, as you will need the elasticity for the hat and the absorbency for the bib.
Instructions
Knitting the Bib
1. Cast on 40 stitches. Knit 3 rows. Work the following pattern: Even numbered rows: knit 10, purl 20, knit 10. Odd numbered rows: knit. Continue until the work is 6 inches long.
2. Knit 10 stitches. Bind off the rest of the row. Knit the remaining 10 stitches until the strap is 7 to 8 inches long. For the buttonhole, knit 3, bind off 4, knit 3. On the next row, knit 3, cast on 4, knit 3. Knit 4 rows even. Alternate 4 rows of plain knitting with buttonholes until the strap is 10 inches long. Bind off. Sew the button to the top left corner of the bib. Weave in ends.
3. Measure your bib in the center to determine the number of stitches and rows per inch.
Knitting the Hat
4. Multiply the stitch gauge by the desired head circumference. If knitting for a newborn, 13 inches should be sufficient. The product of the stitch gauge and head circumference will be the number of stitches to cast on.
5. Cast on and knit a knit 2, purl 2 ribbing for 2 inches. Knit in stockinette stitch, alternating rows of knitting and purling, for 10 rows.
6. Begin the decreases for the crown. Purl every wrong side row. On right side rows:
1. Knit 2 together on every 5th stitch
2. Knit 2 together every 4th stitch
3. Knit 2 together every 3rd stitch
4. Knit 2 together every other stitch
5. Knit 2 together every stitch.
7. Cut the yarn, leaving an 18-inch tail. Sew up the hat using this tail. Weave in ends.
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