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As a knitting enthusiast and a dedicated blogger, I am always on the lookout for charming and practical patterns that add a touch of handmade love to everyday items. Recently, I stumbled upon a delightful free knitting pattern that has quickly become a favorite: the Nicolas Bonnet. This adorable newborn photo prop, crafted in the luxurious KnitPicks Capra yarn, is not only a joy to knit but also a perfect companion piece to the Nicolas Hat Pattern and Nicolas Cowl Pattern. Today, I want to share my experience knitting this lovely bonnet and why I believe it deserves a spot on your next project list.
The Allure of Newborn Photo Props
There’s something incredibly special about knitting for newborns. The tiny stitches, the soft yarn, and the knowledge that your creation will adorn a precious new life all contribute to the magic. Newborn photo props, in particular, hold a unique charm. They are not only functional but also play a significant role in capturing those fleeting, tender moments of a baby’s early days. The Nicolas Bonnet is a perfect example of such a prop, designed to add warmth and cuteness to any newborn photoshoot.
Why KnitPicks Capra?
Before diving into the details of the Nicolas Bonnet pattern, let me take a moment to rave about the yarn I chose for this project: KnitPicks Capra. This luxurious blend of 85% merino wool and 15% cashmere offers an unparalleled softness that is ideal for delicate newborn skin. The yarn is warm, yet breathable, ensuring that the little one stays comfortable during photoshoots or nap times. Capra’s beautiful color palette and excellent stitch definition also make it a dream to work with, elevating any project to a new level of sophistication. Purchase this yarn here.
The Nicolas Bonnet Pattern
The Nicolas Bonnet pattern, available for free, is a delightful addition to the Nicolas series, which also includes the Nicolas Hat and Nicolas Cowl. These patterns share a common aesthetic, making them perfect for creating coordinated sets. The bonnet features a classic design with a modern twist, incorporating simple yet elegant stitch patterns that add texture and visual interest.
One of the things I love most about this pattern is its versatility. While it is designed as a photo prop, the bonnet is also practical enough for everyday wear, providing warmth and style for any newborn. The pattern is well-written and easy to follow, making it suitable for knitters of all skill levels. Whether you’re a seasoned pro or a beginner looking for a rewarding project, the Nicolas Bonnet is a wonderful choice.
Knitting the Bonnet: My Experience
From the moment I cast on the first stitch, I knew this project was going to be special. The KnitPicks Capra yarn glided effortlessly through my fingers, and the pattern’s rhythmic stitch sequences made for a relaxing knitting experience. The bonnet is knit in one piece, starting with the band that frames the face and moving seamlessly into the crown. This construction method not only ensures a snug fit but also minimizes the need for seaming, resulting in a cleaner finish.
As I worked on the bonnet, I found myself appreciating the little details that set this pattern apart. The delicate garter stitch edging, the subtle increases and decreases, and the thoughtful shaping all contribute to a beautifully finished piece. The pattern also includes instructions for a simple I-cord tie, adding both functionality and a charming finishing touch.
Pairing with the Nicolas Hat and Cowl
What truly sets the Nicolas Bonnet apart is its ability to complement the Nicolas Hat and Cowl. Together, these pieces create a cohesive set that is perfect for newborn photoshoots or as a heartfelt gift for new parents. The matching textures and patterns tie the pieces together, creating a harmonious look that is both timeless and contemporary.
I recently had the pleasure of gifting a complete Nicolas set to a dear friend who just welcomed her first baby. The joy on her face when she saw the coordinated bonnet, hat, and cowl was priceless. She couldn’t wait to schedule a photoshoot to capture her little one in these cozy, hand-knit treasures. Seeing how much she loved the set reaffirmed my belief in the power of handmade gifts and the special connection they create.
Tips for Knitting the Nicolas Bonnet
If you’re inspired to knit the Nicolas Bonnet, here are a few tips to ensure your project is a success:
- Choose the Right Yarn: While I highly recommend KnitPicks Capra for its softness and warmth, any soft, high-quality yarn suitable for delicate skin will work. Consider the drape and texture of the yarn to achieve the desired look.
- Swatch for Gauge: Achieving the correct gauge is crucial for a proper fit, especially for newborn items. Take the time to knit a swatch and adjust your needle size if necessary.
- Pay Attention to Details: The beauty of the Nicolas Bonnet lies in its subtle details. Take your time with the increases, decreases, and shaping to ensure a polished finish.
- Block Your Finished Bonnet: Blocking is an essential step in any knitting project, but it’s especially important for items like bonnets that need to fit well. Gently block your finished bonnet to even out the stitches and achieve the correct dimensions.
- Have Fun with Colors: While the original pattern features a classic look, don’t be afraid to experiment with different colors. Soft pastels, vibrant hues, or even variegated yarns can add a unique twist to your bonnet.
Final Thoughts
Knitting the Nicolas Bonnet has been a truly rewarding experience. This charming pattern, paired with the luxurious KnitPicks Capra yarn, creates a beautiful and practical piece that is perfect for newborns. Whether you’re knitting for a photoshoot, a gift, or simply to add to your collection of baby knits, the Nicolas Bonnet is sure to delight. Its timeless design, thoughtful details, and versatility make it a must-knit for any knitter.
As I continue to explore new patterns and projects, I am always reminded of the joy that comes from creating something with my own two hands. The Nicolas Bonnet is more than just a knitting pattern; it’s a testament to the love and care that goes into handmade items. I hope this post inspires you to pick up your needles and create your own Nicolas Bonnet, bringing warmth and happiness to the little ones in your life.
Happy knitting!
By sharing my journey with the Nicolas Bonnet, I hope to encourage others to experience the joy of knitting for newborns and the satisfaction of completing a beautiful, handmade project. If you decide to knit the Nicolas Bonnet, I’d love to hear about your experience and see photos of your finished creations. Feel free to share in the comments or tag me on social media. Let’s continue to spread the love of knitting, one stitch at a time.
Materials and Info
Materials: appx 60-120yd dk weight yarn (I used knitpicks capra) size 6 (4mm) straight needles or size needed to obtain gauge), Cable needle, size 6 (4mm) dpn for the icord ties if so desired , yarn needle
Gauge: appx 5sts/inch in stockinette st Gauge is very important!
Sizes (appx head circumference) [appx finished size laid flat] : newborn (13ins) [5x5ins], infant (14.5 ins) [5.25×5.25ins], sitter (16ins) [6.5×6.5ins], toddler (17ins) [7.25×7.25ins]
Stitch Key
K – knit p – purl
K2tog – knit 2 stitches together
t2f – slide next st onto cable needle, hold in front, p next st, k st from cable needle
t2b – slide next st onto cable needle, hold in back, k next st, p st from cable needle
c5f – slide next 2 sts onto cable needle, hold in front, k next 3 sts, k2 sts from cable needle
Note: The cast on may seem huge but the ribbing and cables will shrink your fabric down a lot. I prefer to do i-cord ties (personal preference) you can do them however you please though. Also, I am left handed so your cables may go the opposite direction as the model image.
Nicolas Bonnet Pattern
NEWBORN
Long Tail Cast on 71sts
Row 1 (ws)– p1k1 to last st, p1
Row 2 (rs) – k1p1 to last st, k1
Repeat rows 1 and 2 1 more time then repeat row 1.
Row 6 – k1, p1, k1, p1 [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 7 – p1, k1, p1, k1 [k1, p5, k2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, p1, k1,p1
Row 8 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [p1, c5f, p2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 9 – repeat row 7
Row 10 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [p1, k5, p2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 11 – repeat row 7
Row 12 – repeat row 8
Row 13 – p1, k1, p1, k1, [k1, p2, k1, p2, k2] Repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, p1, k1,p1
Row 14 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 15 – repeat row 1
Row 16 – repeat row 2
Continue working in k1p1 ribbing until your work measures appx. 3.5ins from cast on edge. Finish after completing a wrong side row.
DECREASES
Row 1 (right side) – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 5sts] repeat [to] across (61sts)
Row 2 – work in established pattern across
Row 3 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 4sts] repeat [to] across (51sts)
Row 4 – work in established pattern across
Row 5 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 3sts] repeat [to] across (41sts)
Row 6 – work in established pattern across
Row 7 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 2sts] repeat [to] across (31sts)
Row 8 – work in established pattern across
Row 9 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 1sts] repeat [to] across (21sts)
Row 10 – work in established pattern across
Row 11 – k1[k2tog] repeat [to] across (11sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the back tight. Using this end sew the crown together to your stitch markers. (I like to use the mattress stitch since it is nearly invisible). Pick up 3sts along the front corner of your bonnet and work an i-cord for 12ins. Do the same on the opposite front corner.
Weave in ends and block.
INFANT
Long Tail Cast on 79sts
Row 1 (ws)– p1k1 to last st, p1
Row 2 (rs) – k1p1 to last st, k1
Repeat rows 1 and 2 1 more time then repeat row 1.
Row 6 – k1, p1, k1, p1 [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 7 – p1, k1, p1, k1 [k1, p5, k2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, p1, k1,p1
Row 8 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [p1, c5f, p2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 9 – repeat row 7
Row 10 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [p1, k5, p2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 11 – repeat row 7
Row 12 – repeat row 8
Row 13 – p1, k1, p1, k1, [k1, p2, k1, p2, k2] Repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, p1, k1,p1
Row 14 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 15 – repeat row 1
Row 16 – repeat row 2
Continue working in k1p1 ribbing until your work measures appx. 4ins from cast on edge. Finish after completing a wrong side row.
DECREASES
Row 1 (right side) – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 5sts] repeat [to] across to last st, k1 (68sts)
Row 2 – work in established pattern across
Row 3 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 4sts] repeat [to] across to last st, k1 (57sts)
Row 4 – work in established pattern across
Row 5 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 3sts] repeat [to] across to last st, k1 (46sts)
Row 6 – work in established pattern across
Row 7 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 2sts] repeat [to] across to last st, k1 (35sts)
Row 8 – work in established pattern across
Row 9 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 1sts] repeat [to] across to last st, k1 (24sts)
Row 10 – work in established pattern across
Row 11 – k1[k2tog] repeat [to] across (13sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the back tight. Using this end sew the crown together to your stitch markers. (I like to use the mattress stitch since it is nearly invisible). Pick up 3sts along the front corner of your bonnet and work an i-cord for 12ins. Do the same on the opposite front corner.
Weave in ends and block.
SITTER
Long Tail Cast on 87sts
Row 1 (ws)– p1k1 to last st, p1
Row 2 (rs) – k1p1 to last st, k1
Repeat rows 1 and 2 1 more time then repeat row 1.
Row 6 – k1, p1, k1, p1 [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 7 – p1, k1, p1, k1 [k1, p5, k2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, p1, k1,p1
Row 8 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [p1, c5f, p2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 9 – repeat row 7
Row 10 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [p1, k5, p2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 11 – repeat row 7
Row 12 – repeat row 8
Row 13 – p1, k1, p1, k1, [k1, p2, k1, p2, k2] Repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, p1, k1,p1
Row 14 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 15 – repeat row 1
Row 16 – repeat row 2
Continue working in k1p1 ribbing until your work measures appx. 5ins from cast on edge. Finish after completing a wrong side row.
DECREASES
Row 1 (right side) – k1, k2tog work in established pattern across to last 3sts, k2tog, k1 (85sts)
Row 2 -k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 5sts] repeat [to] across (73sts)
Row 3 – work in established pattern across
Row 4 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 4sts] repeat [to] across (61sts)
Row 5 – work in established pattern across
Row 6 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 3sts] repeat [to] across (49sts)
Row 7 – work in established pattern across
Row 8 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 2sts] repeat [to] across (37sts)
Row 9 – work in established pattern across
Row 10 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 1sts] repeat [to] across (25sts)
Row 11 – work in established pattern across
Row 12 – k1[k2tog] repeat [to] across (13sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the back tight. Using this end sew the crown together to your stitch markers. (I like to use the mattress stitch since it is nearly invisible). Pick up 3sts along the front corner of your bonnet and work an i-cord for 12ins. Do the same on the opposite front corner.
Weave in ends and block.
TODDLER
Long Tail Cast on 95sts
Row 1 (ws)– p1k1 to last st, p1
Row 2 (rs) – k1p1 to last st, k1
Repeat rows 1 and 2 1 more time then repeat row 1.
Row 6 – k1, p1, k1, p1 [t2f, k1, p1, k1, t2b, p1] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 7 – p1, k1, p1, k1 [k1, p5, k2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, p1, k1,p1
Row 8 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [p1, c5f, p2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 9 – repeat row 7
Row 10 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [p1, k5, p2] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 11 – repeat row 7
Row 12 – repeat row 8
Row 13 – p1, k1, p1, k1, [k1, p2, k1, p2, k2] Repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, p1, k1,p1
Row 14 – k1, p1, k1, p1, [t2b, k1, p1, k1, t2f, p1] repeat [to] across to last 3 sts, k1, p1,k1
Row 15 – repeat row 1
Row 16 – repeat row 2
Continue working in k1p1 ribbing until your work measures appx. 5.75ins from cast on edge. Finish after completing a right side row.
DECREASES
Row 1 (wrong side) – k1, k2tog work in established pattern across to last 3sts, k2tog, k1 (93sts)
Row 2 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 5sts] repeat [to] across (80sts)
Row 3 – work in established pattern across
Row 4 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 4sts] repeat [to] across (67sts)
Row 5 – work in established pattern across
Row 6 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 3sts] repeat [to] across (54sts)
Row 7 – work in established pattern across
Row 8 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 2sts] repeat [to] across (41sts)
Row 9 – work in established pattern across
Row 10 – k1[k2tog, work in established k1,p1 pattern for 1sts] repeat [to] across (28sts)
Row 11 – work in established pattern across
Row 12 – k1[k2tog] repeat [to] across (15sts)
Do not bind off. Cut yarn leaving appx -10ins. Pull yarn through remaining stitches and cinch the back tight. Using this end sew the crown together to your stitch markers. (I like to use the mattress stitch since it is nearly invisible). Pick up 3sts along the front corner of your bonnet and work an i-cord for 12ins. Do the same on the opposite front corner.
Weave in ends and block.
Nicolas Bonnet PDF
