by Karima Sundarji

When my niece invited me to her Gender Reveal Baby Shower where they would find out and reveal the baby's gender, I wanted to make her something appropriate for the theme. So I created this little reversible baby hat.

Although my niece is probably too young to remember it, I had a chuckle remembering the old "It's Pat" sketch on Saturday Night Live played by Julia Sweeney.

The project also has another benefit. I'm always looking for an excuse to buy and use more Lion Brand Bon Bons. They are irresistable -- they are to yarn what kittens are to the Internet. There is also enough leftover to use the yarn for adding some color to the wrapping.

The extra warmth of the double layer will be great for cold bald baby heads in the winter. There is very little finishing needed on the hat as the wrong sides are never seen so no issues with messy woven in ends or long floats that will catch when putting things on.

And it also allows Baby to accessorize for their day and night outfits just by turning the hat inside out.

SIZE
Newborn

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS
Head Circumference: 14 inches

MATERIALS
Yarn
[MC] LB Collection Superwash Merino [100% Merino; 306 yds/280 meters per 100g skein]; color: ivory, 1 skein.

LionBrand Yarns Bon Bons package [100% Acrylic; 224 yds/208 m per 80g ; color: Crayon (#680). Each package contains 8 mini-skeins of 28 yds/26 meters per 10g, colors are:
[CC1] Bright Green
[CC2] Royal Purple
[CC3] Aqua Blue
[CC4] Tangerine
[CC5] True Red
[CC6] Hot Pink
[CC7] Bright Orange

Recommended needle size
[always use a needle size that gives you the gauge listed below -- every knitter's gauge is unique]
1 16-inch US #6/4mm circular needle
US #6/4mm needles for working the decrease in the round

Notions
Scrap yarn
US 6-F/4mm crochet hook for provisional CO
Stitch markers
Yarn needle

GAUGE

PATTERN NOTES
[Knitty's list of standard abbreviations and techniques can be found here.]

The colorwork will create some long floats that you can twist with the other color yarn in the row every 5-6 stitches or just leave them long. Since the back of both hats will face each other, the floats cannot catch on anything.

This project uses a provisional cast on. Use your preferred provisional cast on technique; directions for one technique may be found here.

DIRECTIONS
Heart Hat:
Cuff
Using a provisional cast on and waste yarn, CO 80 stitches.

Join MC. Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.

Ribbing round: [K2, p2] around.

Work ribbing as set until hat measures 1.5 inches.

Crown
With MC, decrease as follows: [K2tog, k38] twice. 78 sts.

Next round: Work Hearts Chart around.
Work in pattern until Hearts Chart is complete.

Switch to MC and knit even until hat measures 4.5 inches from CO edge.

Crown Decreases:
Round 1: [K11, k2tog, pm] around. 72 sts.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: [K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog] around. 6 sts decreased.

Repeat the last 2 rounds until 18 sts rem, ending with a decrease round.

Cut yarn leaving a 6-inch tail. Weave the tail through the live stitches using a tapestry needle and pull tightly. Weave in all ends or just tie and snip them. The back of the work will not show.

Triangle Hat:
Cuff
Remove waste yarn from your provisional cast on and return live stitches to your needle
Join MC. Place marker and join for working in the round, being careful not to twist.
Turning round: Purl around.
Ribbing round: [K2, p2] around.
Work ribbing as set until hat measures 1.5 inches.

Crown
With MC, decrease as follows: [K2tog, k38] twice. 78 sts.
Next round: Work Triangle Chart around.
Work in pattern until Triangle Chart is complete.
Switch to MC and knit even until hat measures 4.5 inches from CO edge.

Before starting decreases, weave in all ends or just tie and snip them. The back of the work will not show.

Crown Decreases
Round 1: [K11, k2tog, pm] around. 72 sts.
Round 2: Knit.
Round 3: [K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog] around. 6 sts decreased.
Repeat the last 2 rounds until 18 sts rem, ending with a decrease round.

Cut the yarn leaving a 6-inch tail.
Weave the tail through the live stitches using a tapestry needle and pull tightly into the hat.

FINISHING
Wet block. Steam can be tricky with acrylics; too hot and it might melt.

Karima Sundarji learned to sew from her mom as a child. She quickly started making her own patterns. But sewing machines and small apartments in New York City did not mix. Looking for a more portable and social hobby, she picked up knitting needles almost 20 years ago and has not put them down since. She is easily distracted by shiny, sparkling, pretty yarn.

She can be found on Ravelry.