For everyone who purchased a dye kit before today, I’ve corrected/clarified something in step 1 of the Crock-Pot instructions. It just has to do with the amount of liquid you’re probably going to need. The corrected instructions are available as PDF at the address provided in your printed instructions.

figs, smoked ham in Iggy’s onion ficelle for me and anadama for the mister, goat brie, and XXX-sharp cheddar

We’ve been eating a lot more simply and locally lately. What we can’t get locally, we have been buying from small companies. All summer, we’ve been getting vegetables and bread from The Food Project with visits to other farmer’s markets when we’ve been in the neighborhood, and seeking out local food from grocery stores. By “local”, I mean from New England, and we’ve been pleasantly surprised to discover how much good food is produced around here. If you have any local favorites, I’d love to hear them!

The Facts:
Pattern: General shape and size and stitch pattern taken from a pattern in Knit and Crochet for Girl and Boy Babies, Baby Book No. 500, a 25 cent pattern book from 1950.
Yarn: Louet Gems Merino Pearl in Cream- about 25 grams or 95 yards (fingering weight)
Needles: Size 2 US
Size: newborn
Started: August 24, 2006
Finished: August 25, 2006

Thoughts:

This yarn is great for baby things. It’s machine washable, very very soft, and fine enough for dainties, which this bonnet definitely is.

The original pattern was very awkward with a bunch of seams, so I made it all one piece with no sewing. There was a folded back border at the front that I changed to a picot hem, which was knitted together rather than sewn. The bonnet was cast on at the front edge and worked toward the back, with the back shaping done in short rows. The bottom 1×1 ribbing was picked up and knit out.

I wish I could get better photos of the stitch pattern. It’s very sweet, with columns of lace and cables, which will make it suited to both a boy or girl, so the bonnet can be handed down.

I love knitting this perfect little stuff!

Stuff Only A Knitter Would Care About:

I was more than a little excited to meet our new neighbor while out walking the dog this morning. Someone was a total dork and said “Oh, hi, I know you from knitting magazines!” She looked shocked for a moment and then just laughed. I wonder if she knits.

You know who I mean!

Get the pattern.

What you need:

To fit head measuring: 14” (16”, 18”, 20”) newborn (baby, child, adult)

Materials: sport weight yarn- approx. 50 (75, 100, 125) yards (shown in Knit Picks Ambrosia in Fog (grey) and variegated versions made from Hello Yarn Fat Sock), plus small amounts of fingering weight yarn in black and white for face, if desired.

Needles: size 3 dpns and 16” circular, or whatever size to get gauge and similarly sized crochet hook.

Gauge: 6 sts. and 8 rows = 1”

See other versions on the pattern page.

Get Figure- 8 Cast On instructions (scroll down to Figure-8 Toe).