Re-do starting Nov. 22. Baby is now over 6 months old. Provisional cast on so I can block the hat without it bleeding on to the white (even though I’ve washed this yarn twice in the skein already). 70 stitches. My gauge on 4.0 mm needles is 18.5 stitches and 28 rounds to 4 inches.

Following the Mrs. Claus hat directions for baby - this is my new pattern from now on. Miles’ head is 45 cm, which is close to 16.8 inches. According to my gauge I should have cast on 77, but didn’t want that many.

For brim and pompom used Lion brand Fur along with the Berocco Comfort in white. I found the Fur way too furry, and I was pulling bits out of the pompon for quite a while. For the brim I alternated with a plain white row and a row held double. Still needs a haircut.

Notes from first attempt (pictured)
Need to-knit this in another yarn, after washing the red first. This was ridiculous - how much dye came out of the red.

Next Time - step the decreases better. There is a distinct set of lumps as you decrease, then knit 8 rows.

Cast on 56 stitches 4 mm needles using long-tail cast on. Other hats I have knit have 60 stitches and fit 3 year-olds. This is for a baby shower, with the baby due in April, so 7-8 months at Christmas when he’ll be wearing this. (It turned out to be snug)

Increase to 60 after changing to red. At this point, I followed the Malabrigo Santa Baby pattern, which calls for a provisional cast on, then knitting the white, folded over band later. I may have shorted the 8 rows between decreases once or twice, but essentially followed the pattern. I don’t like this stepped decrease. From now on I will use the Mrs. Claus pattern where there is a small decrease every 3rd row.

Pompom from 2-1/8 inch pompom maker (or use 3 fingers!) and done.

Update - removed the brim and pompom a second time to use this hat for Luca - 3 months old. His head measure 16 inches, and the red part is 6 3/4 inches measured flat, so 13.5 inches. It should fit ok.

EXCEPT - the red yarn bled terribly, and I had to order some Carbona Color Run Remover from my local Walmart, which I’ve used before, carefully, on white yarn that has picked up some other color. I washed the hat on delicate after the initial soak before trying the Carbona. It worked, somewhat, then the red bled twice more, even in ice water. I cut the brim off and re-knit it, as it had some yellow (?) - maybe from stain remover I was trying. Next wash - pink bits again.