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Mini Bobble Bonnet pattern was created shortly after my 26 weeker came home from the nicu. It was 1 of 4 new patterns I created that year. I struggled hard to do anything when she came home. She was in the nicu for 121 days so I was trying to heal and bond with her but also, I was exclusively pumping because she had a lot of mouth issues that prevented nursing. I was a zombie from lack of sleep and so numb from the trauma, that designing knits was so hard. I had no energy which often leads to no inspiration.
Mini Bobble Bonnet was the pattern that unleashed the floodgates. It was my change of direction, my pivot. So this pattern I hold very near and dear to my heart. I only have 1 picture of it being worn, and it’s a cell phone image of my daughter wearing one just a few weeks after she came home, in her carseat.
Understand, this is a victory image. The baby everyone told us would die, very much alive (though clearly very sleepy) wearing the first new design after I took 5 months off of designing because I spent a month in the hospital followed by our sweet girl spending 4 months in the nicu. It was the normalcy I thought we might never get back to. And just the little thing of putting a hat I made on her, in her carseat, and snapping a picture healed places I didn’t even know were wounded. And I am blessed to share this pattern with you here, now.
To check out the free hat pattern directory click here.
Materials and Info
Yarn – Willow Yarns Farmhouse Cotton (100g, 360yd)
Gauge – 26st per 4x4in or 10x10cm
Needles – 3 (3.25mm) circular and dpn
Sizes – newborn, (infant, baby, toddler) child
Head Measurement – 12-14in/30-35cm, (13-15in/32.5-37.5cm, 14-16in/35/40cm, 15-17in/37.5-42.5), 16-18in/52.5-57.5cm
Other –yarn needle
Mini Bobble Bonnet is a classic styled bonnet for all your vintage inspired needs. Named such because of the smaller bobble used to add a simple and clean texture. It is worked flat until the crown where it is joined in the round. The ties are i-cords with an applied i-cord neck edging to connect the ties.
Abbreviations can be found on the last post.
Mini Bobble Bonnet Pattern
NEWBORN
Cast on 65sts. I used the long tail cast on.
Work in a k1p1 ribbing (k1p1 across) for .5in/1.5cm. End after completing a wrong side row.
Row 1 (right side)– knit across
Row 2 – purl across
Row 3 – k2, [(k,yo,k, turn, purl 3, turn, k3togtbl) bobble made all in the next st, k7] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, bobble in next st, knit 6
Row 4 – purl across
Row 5 – knit across
Row 6 – purl across
Row 7 – k2 [k4, bobble, k3] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, k4, bobble, k2
Row 8 – purl across
Repeat rows 1-8 until your work measures appx 4in/10cm ending after completing a right side
row. Transfer sts to dpn. Join in the round by knitting the first and last stitch together. (64sts)
DECREASES
Round 1 – [k2tog, K6] Repeat [to] around (56sts)
Round 2 – knit around
Round 3 – [k2tog, K5] Repeat [to] around (48sts)
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – [k2tog, K4] Repeat [to] around (40sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog, K3] Repeat [to] around (32sts)
Round 8 – knit around
Round 9 – [k2tog, K2] Repeat [to] around (24sts)
Round 10 – knit around
Round 11 – [k2tog, K1] Repeat [to] around (16sts)
Round 12 – knit around
Round 13 – [k2tog] Repeat [to] around (8sts)
Do not bind off. Cut a tail appx 6-8ins long. Using a yarn needle, pull through remaining stitches and cinch sts closed tightly. Weave in ends.
I-cord Ties:
Cast on 3sts on double pointed needles and work appx 9-10ins for personal use and 12-14ins for photography use of i-cord (tutorial at the end of the pattern).
Begin i-cord edging by using the length of i-cord you have already worked. Do so by knitting 2 icord sts, slip the last st, dip the needle into the edge of the back loop of the bonnet, and bringing the yarn around to knit, pick up a stitch in your salvage edge. Knit the last stitch of Icord together with the picked stitch of the bonnet. Once you have picked up and knit across salvage edge stitches, work an additional length of i-cord that matches the other tie. Weave in ends. You can find a tutorial I made for left handed knitters here: https://youtu.be/3liQWHn8B0 Even if you are a right handed knitter it should be helpful to explain the process.
INFANT
Cast on 73sts. I used the long tail cast on.
Work in a k1p1 ribbing (k1p1 across) for .75in/2cm. End after completing a wrong side row.
Row 1 (right side)– knit across
Row 2 – purl across
Row 3 – k2, [(k,yo,k, turn, purl 3, turn, k3togtbl) bobble made all in the next st, k7] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, bobble in next st, knit 6
Row 4 – purl across
Row 5 – knit across
Row 6 – purl across
Row 7 – k2 [k4, bobble, k3] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, k4, bobble, k2
Row 8 – purl across
Repeat rows 1-8 until your work measures appx 4.5in/11cm ending after completing a right
side row. Transfer sts to dpn. Join in the round by knitting the first and last stitch together. (72sts)
DECREASES
Round 1 – [k2tog, K6] Repeat [to] around (63sts)
Round 2 – knit around
Round 3 – [k2tog, K5] Repeat [to] around (54sts)
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – [k2tog, K4] Repeat [to] around (45sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog, K3] Repeat [to] around (36sts)
Round 8 – knit around
Round 9 – [k2tog, K2] Repeat [to] around (27sts)
Round 10 – knit around
Round 11 – [k2tog, K1] Repeat [to] around (18sts)
Round 12 – knit around
Round 13 – [k2tog] Repeat [to] around (9sts)
Do not bind off. Cut a tail appx 6-8ins long. Using a yarn needle, pull through remaining stitches and cinch sts closed tightly. Weave in ends.
I-cord Ties:
Cast on 3sts on double pointed needles and work appx 9-10ins for personal use and 12-14ins for photography use of i-cord (tutorial at the end of the pattern).
Begin i-cord edging by using the length of i-cord you have already worked. Do so by knitting 2 icord sts, slip the last st, dip the needle into the edge of the back loop of the bonnet, and bringing the yarn around to knit, pick up a stitch in your salvage edge. Knit the last stitch of Icord together with the picked stitch of the bonnet. Once you have picked up and knit across salvage edge stitches, work an additional length of i-cord that matches the other tie. Weave in ends. You can find a tutorial I made for left handed knitters here: https://youtu.be/3liQWHn8B0 Even if you are a right handed knitter it should be helpful to explain the process.
BABY
Cast on 81sts. I used the long tail cast on.
Work in a k1p1 ribbing (k1p1 across) for .75in/2cm. End after completing a wrong side row.
Row 1 (right side)– knit across
Row 2 – purl across
Row 3 – k2, [(k,yo,k, turn, purl 3, turn, k3togtbl) bobble made all in the next st, k7] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, bobble in next st, knit 6
Row 4 – purl across
Row 5 – knit across
Row 6 – purl across
Row 7 – k2 [k4, bobble, k3] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, k4, bobble, k2
Row 8 – purl across
Repeat rows 1-8 until your work measures appx 5in/12.5cm ending after completing a right side row. Transfer sts to dpn. Join in the round by knitting the first and last stitch together. (80sts)
DECREASES
Round 1 – [k2tog, K6] Repeat [to] around (70sts)
Round 2 – knit around
Round 3 – [k2tog, K5] Repeat [to] around (60sts)
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – [k2tog, K4] Repeat [to] around (50sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog, K3] Repeat [to] around (40sts)
Round 8 – knit around
Round 9 – [k2tog, K2] Repeat [to] around (30sts)
Round 10 – knit around
Round 11 – [k2tog, K1] Repeat [to] around (20sts)
Round 12 – knit around
Round 13 – [k2tog] Repeat [to] around (10sts)
Do not bind off. Cut a tail appx 6-8ins long. Using a yarn needle, pull through remaining stitches and cinch sts closed tightly. Weave in ends.
I-cord Ties:
Cast on 3sts on double pointed needles and work appx 9-10ins for personal use and 12-14ins
for photography use of i-cord (tutorial at the end of the pattern).
Begin i-cord edging by using the length of i-cord you have already worked. Do so by knitting 2 icord sts, slip the last st, dip the needle into the edge of the back loop of the bonnet, and bringing the yarn around to knit, pick up a stitch in your salvage edge. Knit the last stitch of Icord together with the picked stitch of the bonnet. Once you have picked up and knit across salvage edge stitches, work an additional length of i-cord that matches the other tie. Weave in ends. You can find a tutorial I made for left handed knitters here: https://youtu.be/3liQWHn8B0 Even if you are a right handed knitter it should be helpful to explain the process.
TODDLER
Cast on 89sts. I used the long tail cast on.
Work in a k1p1 ribbing (k1p1 across) for .75in/2cm. End after completing a wrong side row.
Row 1 (right side)– knit across
Row 2 – purl across
Row 3 – k2, [(k,yo,k, turn, purl 3, turn, k3togtbl) bobble made all in the next st, k7] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, bobble in next st, knit 6
Row 4 – purl across
Row 5 – knit across
Row 6 – purl across
Row 7 – k2 [k4, bobble, k3] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, k4, bobble, k2
Row 8 – purl across
Repeat rows 1-8 until your work measures appx 5.5in/13.5cm ending after completing a right side row. Transfer sts to dpn. Join in the round by knitting the first and last stitch together. (88sts)
DECREASES
Round 1 – [k2tog, K6] Repeat [to] around (77sts)
Round 2 – knit around
Round 3 – [k2tog, K5] Repeat [to] around (66sts)
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – [k2tog, K4] Repeat [to] around (55sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog, K3] Repeat [to] around (44sts)
Round 8 – knit around
Round 9 – [k2tog, K2] Repeat [to] around (33sts)
Round 10 – knit around
Round 11 – [k2tog, K1] Repeat [to] around (22sts)
Round 12 – knit around
Round 13 – [k2tog] Repeat [to] around (11sts)
Do not bind off. Cut a tail appx 6-8ins long. Using a yarn needle, pull through remaining stitches and cinch sts closed tightly. Weave in ends.
I-cord Ties:
Cast on 3sts on double pointed needles and work appx 9-10ins for personal use and 12-14ins
for photography use of i-cord (tutorial at the end of the pattern).
Begin i-cord edging by using the length of i-cord you have already worked. Do so by knitting 2 icord sts, slip the last st, dip the needle into the edge of the back loop of the bonnet, and bringing the yarn around to knit, pick up a stitch in your salvage edge. Knit the last stitch of Icord together with the picked stitch of the bonnet. Once you have picked up and knit across salvage edge stitches, work an additional length of i-cord that matches the other tie. Weave in ends. You can find a tutorial I made for left handed knitters here: https://youtu.be/3liQWHn8B0 Even if you are a right handed knitter it should be helpful to explain the process.
CHILD
Cast on 97sts. I used the long tail cast on.
Work in a k1p1 ribbing (k1p1 across) for 1in/2.5cm. End after completing a wrong side row.
Row 1 (right side)– knit across
Row 2 – purl across
Row 3 – k2, [(k,yo,k, turn, purl 3, turn, k3togtbl) bobble made all in the next st, k7] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, bobble in next st, knit 6
Row 4 – purl across
Row 5 – knit across
Row 6 – purl across
Row 7 – k2 [k4, bobble, k3] repeat [to] across to last 7sts, k4, bobble, k2
Row 8 – purl across
Repeat rows 1-8 until your work measures appx 6in/15cm ending after completing a right side row. Transfer sts to dpn. Join in the round by knitting the first and last stitch together. (96sts)
DECREASES
Round 1 – [k2tog, K6] Repeat [to] around (84sts)
Round 2 – knit around
Round 3 – [k2tog, K5] Repeat [to] around (72sts)
Round 4 – knit around
Round 5 – [k2tog, K4] Repeat [to] around (60sts)
Round 6 – knit around
Round 7 – [k2tog, K3] Repeat [to] around (48sts)
Round 8 – knit around
Round 9 – [k2tog, K2] Repeat [to] around (36sts)
Round 10 – knit around
Round 11 – [k2tog, K1] Repeat [to] around (24sts)
Round 12 – knit around
Round 13 – [k2tog] Repeat [to] around (12sts)
Round 14 – [k2tog] Repeat [to] around (6sts)
Do not bind off. Cut a tail appx 6-8ins long. Using a yarn needle, pull through remaining stitches and cinch sts closed tightly. Weave in ends.
I-cord Ties:
Cast on 3sts on double pointed needles and work appx 9-10ins for personal use and 12-14ins
for photography use of i-cord (tutorial at the end of the pattern).
Begin i-cord edging by using the length of i-cord you have already worked. Do so by knitting 2 icord sts, slip the last st, dip the needle into the edge of the back loop of the bonnet, and bringing the yarn around to knit, pick up a stitch in your salvage edge. Knit the last stitch of Icord together with the picked stitch of the bonnet. Once you have picked up and knit across salvage edge stitches, work an additional length of i-cord that matches the other tie. Weave in ends. You can find a tutorial I made for left handed knitters here: https://youtu.be/3liQWHn8B0 Even if you are a right handed knitter it should be helpful to explain the process.
Abbreviations
k – knit
P – purl
yo – yarn over
k2tog -knit 2 stitches together
k3togtbl – knit 3 together through back loop
bobble – (k, yo, k, turn, purl 3, turn k3togtbl) all in the next stitch
I-cord instructions – To make an i-cord cast on 3 sts on double pointed needles. Slide these sts to the right of your needle. Knit the row. Slide the sts to the right of the needle. Knit the row and slide the sts to the right of the needle. Continue in this manner until you reach your desired length, occasionally giving the resulting cord a gentle tug.
Download Mini Bobble Bonnet PDF
