As I was browsing Ravelry for a knit viking hat pattern I found several in adult sizes, but the baby sizes were only crochet patterns. So I wrote one of my own! This is now my go-to baby shower gift, and everyone that knows me has come to expect to receive one of these when a baby is on the way (I’m happy to oblige).

This can be made for a boy or a girl by simply adding braids for a girl’s hat. the pattern is written for 0-12 months, but it can certainly be made in larger sizes by using a chunkier yarn, or smaller sizes for a preemie or a doll by using a sport or DK weight yarn. I can make two hats from one skein of Lion Brand Wool-Ease and still have some left over. Depending on who I’m giving the gift to, I choose the “braid” yarn in an appropriate color such as a wheat yellow or a gold for a baby that’s likely to be blonde, or brown for a child of parents with darker hair. And I suppose you could do something really fun like a fluorescent yarn!

You’re welcome to use my pattern for charity projects or saleable items as long as credit is given to me.