Toddlers…..do they ever keep a hat on their head?! Several years ago my best friend asked “Can you make a hat for Nina that will stay on?”

Nina, a deliciously spirited two year old, was not a fan of hats. Despite living in Christchurch where we get some very frosty mornings, Nina would refuse to wear a hat, resulting in cold wee ears - not ideal!

I wanted something that would be cute but entirely practical, and ties would be a must! Hence, the Nina Hat was dreamt up. Garter stitch band and earflaps to accommodate a growing head so she could get a few seasons out of it, cute lace sections to add interest, and of course; pom poms so she would actually want to wear it!

YARN
The Woven Sumptuous 150m(164y)/75g(2.65oz) (80% Polwarth, 20% Alpaca).

YARDAGE
Approximately 65 (80, 95, 110) meters of MC for the hat. Additional CC yarn for the pom poms (will vary depending on size!)

NEEDLES
4.5mm/US size 7 circular needles

NOTIONS
Four stitch markers
Needle for sewing in ends
Cardboard to make pom poms (or a pom pom maker)

GAUGE
19.5 sts/38 rows = 4 inches/10cm in garter stitch (blocked).

SIZES
Baby, Toddler, Child, Adult.

STITCHES
k = knit
p = purl
CO = cast on
M1R = pick up the bar between the current and next stitch from back to front, knit into the front of the stitch.
M1L = pick up the bar between the current and next stitch from front to back, knit into the back of the stitch.
yo = yarn over
k2tog = knit two stitches together
MC = main colour
CC = contrast colour

A big thank you to the test knitters who helped with this pattern!