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Knitting has always been my sanctuary, a peaceful retreat where I can lose myself in the rhythmic dance of needles and yarn. Recently, I embarked on a project that not only brought me immense joy but also resulted in a delightful newborn photo prop that I am excited to share with you. The Naomi Bonnet, a simple yet charming creation, has quickly become one of my favorite knitting projects. Crafted using KnitPicks Billow and adorned with a delicate mohair crochet lace in KnitPicks Aloft, this bonnet is perfect for capturing those precious moments of a newborn’s early days.

The Inspiration Behind the Naomi Bonnet

The Naomi Bonnet is inspired by the timeless beauty of vintage baby bonnets, with a modern twist that makes it both practical and stylish. I wanted to create something that would highlight the natural texture of the yarn, allowing it to take center stage. KnitPicks Billow, with its soft, chunky cotton fibers, provides the perfect canvas for this. The yarn’s thick-and-thin texture creates a cozy, rustic look that is simply irresistible.

Choosing the Yarn: KnitPicks Billow

KnitPicks Billow is a yarn that truly stands out. It’s made from 100% Pima cotton, which is known for its softness and durability. The yarn comes in a variety of beautiful, muted colors that are ideal for baby items. For the Naomi Bonnet, I chose a soft, neutral shade that would complement any newborn’s wardrobe and make the bonnet a versatile photo prop.

Working with Billow is a delight. The yarn glides smoothly over the needles, and its texture adds a unique, tactile quality to the finished piece. The thick-and-thin nature of the yarn means that each stitch looks a little different, giving the bonnet a handmade, artisanal feel. This is especially important for photo props, as the texture can add depth and interest to the pictures. Purchase the yarn for this project here.

Adding a Touch of Elegance: KnitPicks Aloft

While the body of the bonnet is knit in Billow, the real magic happens around the face, where a delicate mohair crochet lace edge adds a touch of elegance. For this, I used KnitPicks Aloft, a luxurious blend of super kid mohair and silk. This yarn is incredibly soft and has a beautiful halo that catches the light, adding a subtle shimmer to the bonnet.

Crocheting the lace edge was a lovely way to finish off the bonnet. The Aloft yarn is a dream to work with, and it pairs beautifully with the Billow yarn. The contrast between the rustic, textured body of the bonnet and the delicate, airy lace edge creates a stunning visual effect. It’s the perfect combination of softness and sophistication, making the bonnet not only a practical item but also a beautiful keepsake.

The Simplicity of the Pattern

One of the things I love most about the Naomi Bonnet is its simplicity. The pattern is straightforward and easy to follow, making it suitable for knitters of all skill levels. The body of the bonnet is knit flat and then seamed at the back, while the lace edge is crocheted separately and then attached.

Despite its simplicity, the bonnet looks incredibly intricate and detailed, thanks to the texture of the Billow yarn and the lace edge in Aloft. This makes it a great project for those times when you want to create something special but don’t have the time or energy for a complex pattern.

The Joy of Handmade

There’s something truly special about handmade items, especially when they are made with love and care. The Naomi Bonnet is a perfect example of this. As I knit and crocheted, I couldn’t help but think about the little one who would eventually wear the bonnet. I imagined the joy on the parents’ faces as they saw their baby in such a beautiful, handcrafted piece.

Handmade items have a way of carrying the maker’s love and intentions. Each stitch is a small act of care, and the finished item is more than just a bonnet; it’s a tangible expression of love. This is one of the reasons I enjoy making photo props for newborns. They are not only practical but also become cherished keepsakes that families can treasure for years to come.

Capturing Memories

Newborn photography is all about capturing those fleeting, precious moments in the first few weeks of life. The Naomi Bonnet is designed with this in mind. Its soft, cozy texture and delicate lace edge frame a baby’s face beautifully, making it an ideal accessory for newborn photo shoots.

I can just picture a sweet, sleeping baby, wrapped in a soft blanket, wearing the Naomi Bonnet. The natural, earthy tones of the Billow yarn create a serene, peaceful vibe, while the mohair lace adds a touch of whimsy. It’s the perfect combination for creating timeless, memorable photos.

Sharing the Love

One of the best things about knitting is the ability to share your creations with others. The Naomi Bonnet makes a wonderful gift for new parents or for photographers who specialize in newborn shoots. It’s a thoughtful, handmade present that shows how much you care.

I recently gifted a Naomi Bonnet to a friend who had just had a baby. She was thrilled with it and couldn’t wait to use it in a photo shoot. Seeing her excitement and knowing that I had created something special for her baby was incredibly rewarding.

Final Thoughts

The Naomi Bonnet has quickly become one of my favorite knitting projects. It’s simple yet elegant, practical yet beautiful. Working with KnitPicks Billow and Aloft was a joy, and the finished bonnet is a testament to the beauty of handmade items.

If you’re looking for a knitting project that is both easy and rewarding, I highly recommend trying the Naomi Bonnet. It’s a wonderful way to create something special for a newborn, and the combination of Billow and Aloft yarns results in a stunning, textured piece that will be cherished for years to come.

Happy knitting!

Materials and Info

Materials: 1 skein of Knitpicks Billow (bulky size 5), 10 (6mm) straight needles and dpn, yarn needle, stitch markers, size 3.25mm crochet hook, a few yards of lace weight mohair

Gauge: appx 3.5st/in – GAUGE IS VERY IMPORTANT!!!!

Sizes (appx finished measurement laid flat): newborn –(5x5ins), 0-3mths (5.5×5.5ins), 3-6mth (6x6ins), 6-12mths (6.5×6.5ins), Toddler (7x7ins)

Abbreviations:
K – knit

P – purl

k2tog – knit 2 together

sc – single crochet

sl – slip st

dc- double crochet

ch – chain

Naomi Bonnet Pattern

Newborn
Cast on 39sts
Row 1: k3, purl across to last 3 sts, k3
Row 2: knit across
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your work measures 3.5ins from cast on edge ending after working a knit row.
Join in the round.
Decreases
Round 1 -(k2tog k11) repeat around (36sts)
Round 2 – (k2tog k4) repeat around (30sts)
Round 3 – knit around
Round 4- (k2tog k3) repeat around (24sts)
Round 5 – knit around
Round 6- (k2tog k2) repeat around (18sts)
Round 7- (k2tog k1) repeat around (12sts)
Round 8- (k2tog) repeat around (6sts)
Do NOT bind off. Cut yarn and pull through the remaining sts. Weave in ends. Cut 1 strand of yarn appx 24ins long. Fold it in half and pull a loop through the front corner of the hood. Pull the ends through this loop and secure. Repeat on the other side.
Edging: (sc, ch2, dc2) all in first st, [skip next st, (sc, ch2, dc2) all in next st)] repeat [to] across the front edge of your bonnet. Finish off by sl1 in last st.

0-3months
Cast on 43sts
Row 1: k3, purl across to last 3 sts, k3
Row 2: knit across
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your work measures 4ins from cast on edge ending after working a knit row.
Join in the round.
Decreases
Round 1 -k2tog, knit around (42sts)
Round 2 – (k2tog k4) repeat around (35sts)
Round 3 – knit around
Round 4- (k2tog k3) repeat around (28sts)
Round 5 – knit around
Round 6- (k2tog k2) repeat around (21sts)
Round 7- (k2tog k1) repeat around (14sts)
Round 8- (k2tog) repeat around (7sts)
Do NOT bind off. Cut yarn and pull through the remaining sts. Weave in ends. Cut 1 strand of yarn appx 24ins long. Fold it in half and pull a loop through the front corner of the hood. Pull the ends through this loop and secure. Repeat on the other side.
Edging: (sc, ch2, dc2) all in first st, [skip next st, (sc, ch2, dc2) all in next st)] repeat [to] across the front edge of your bonnet. Finish off by sl1 in last st.

3-6months
Cast on 46sts
Row 1: k3, purl across to last 3 sts, k3
Row 2: knit across
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your work measures 4.5ins from cast on edge ending after working a knit row.
Join in the round.
Decreases
Round 1 -k1 (k2tog, k13) repeat (to) around (42sts)
Round 2 – (k2tog k4) repeat around (35sts)
Round 3 – knit around
Round 4- (k2tog k3) repeat around (28sts)
Round 5 – knit around
Round 6- (k2tog k2) repeat around (21sts)
Round 7- (k2tog k1) repeat around (14sts)
Round 8- (k2tog) repeat around (7sts)
Do NOT bind off. Cut yarn and pull through the remaining sts. Weave in ends. Cut 1 strand of yarn appx 24ins long. Fold it in half and pull a loop through the front corner of the hood. Pull the ends through this loop and secure. Repeat on the other side.
Edging: (sc, ch2, dc2) all in first st, [skip next st, (sc, ch2, dc2) all in next st)] repeat [to] across the front edge of your bonnet. Finish off by sl1 in last st.

6-12months
Cast on 51sts
Row 1: k3, purl across to last 3 sts, k3
Row 2: knit across
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your work measures 5ins from cast on edge ending after working a knit row.
Join in the round.
Decreases
Round 1 – (k2tog, k15) repeat around (48sts)
Round 2 – (k2tog k4) repeat around (40sts)
Round 3 – knit around
Round 4- (k2tog k3) repeat around (32sts)
Round 5 – knit around
Round 6- (k2tog k2) repeat around (24sts)
Round 7- (k2tog k1) repeat around (16sts)
Round 8- (k2tog) repeat around (8sts)
Do NOT bind off. Cut yarn and pull through the remaining sts. Weave in ends. Cut 1 strand of yarn appx 24ins long. Fold it in half and pull a loop through the front corner of the hood. Pull the ends through this loop and secure. Repeat on the other side.
Edging: (sc, ch2, dc2) all in first st, [skip next st, (sc, ch2, dc2) all in next st)] repeat [to] across the front edge of your bonnet. Finish off by sl1 in last st.

Toddler
Cast on 55sts
Row 1: k3, purl across to last 3 sts, k3
Row 2: knit across
Repeat rows 1 and 2 until your work measures 5.5ins from cast on edge ending after working a knit row.
Join in the round.
Decreases
Round 1 – k2tog, knit around (48sts)
Round 2 – (k2tog k4) repeat around (40sts)
Round 3 – knit around
Round 4- (k2tog k3) repeat around (32sts)
Round 5 – knit around
Round 6- (k2tog k2) repeat around (24sts)
Round 7- (k2tog k1) repeat around (16sts)
Round 8- (k2tog) repeat around (8sts)
Do NOT bind off. Cut yarn and pull through the remaining sts. Weave in ends. Cut 1 strand of yarn appx 24ins long. Fold it in half and pull a loop through the front corner of the hood. Pull the ends through this loop and secure. Repeat on the other side.
Edging: (sc, ch2, dc2) all in first st, [skip next st, (sc, ch2, dc2) all in next st)] repeat [to] across the front edge of your bonnet. Finish off by sl1 in last st.

Naomi Bonnet PDF