Lorna

Lorna Bonnet by Maria Montzka

What Is Being Made

The Lorna is a charming baby bonnet designed by Maria Montzka and published by Stitched in Sweden. This downloadable knitting pattern creates a fitted bonnet suitable for newborns through 24-month-old children, with head circumference sizing ranging from approximately 13–14 inches (33–37 cm) for newborns up to 19–20 inches (49–51 cm) for 24-month sizes. The bonnet features a classic construction that combines flat knitting with circular knitting techniques, resulting in a garment that contours gently to a child's head for comfort and security.

Knitting Techniques and Construction Methods

The Lorna bonnet employs several intermediate knitting techniques to achieve its polished finish. The pattern begins with flat knitting, which allows for easy shaping and pattern work before the piece is joined in the round to create the main crown section. This transition from flat to circular knitting provides flexibility in the design process and makes the pattern accessible to knitters at various skill levels.

One of the standout features of this bonnet is the use of the Kitchener stitch, also known as grafting, to seamlessly join the two sides together at the back of the bonnet. This advanced finishing technique creates an invisible seam, eliminating the need for a visible bind-off edge and ensuring a professional, polished appearance. The back shaping is carefully engineered to contour the head, providing both aesthetic appeal and a secure fit for active babies and toddlers.

Additional finishing details include picking up stitches at the neck opening to create a neat edge, which is then finished with an i-cord tie—a tubular cord that serves as both a functional closure and a decorative element. A pompom is attached at the crown, adding a playful finishing touch while also serving as a visual marker to help keep the bonnet in place.

Stitches Used

• Seed stitch—featured in the band section, this textured stitch alternates knit and purl stitches to create a bumpy, reversible fabric with excellent elasticity and visual interest
• Stockinette stitch—the primary stitch for the main body, creating a smooth, classic knitted fabric
• Colorwork pattern—a simple two-color pattern that adds visual depth and allows knitters to practice basic color techniques
• Kitchener stitch (grafting)—used to join the back seam invisibly
• I-cord—a tubular cord created by knitting in the round on a small number of stitches, used for the tie

Materials and Yarn Specifications

The Lorna bonnet is designed for 4-ply yarn, a lightweight yet durable yarn weight that provides excellent stitch definition and creates a soft, breathable fabric ideal for delicate baby skin. Yarn requirements vary by size, ranging from approximately 80 yards (74 meters / 20 grams) for newborn and 3-month sizes up to 140 yards (128 meters / 35 grams) for the 24-month size. The pattern calls for two colors: a main color and a contrast color for the colorwork pattern, with contrast yardage ranging from 12 to 28 yards depending on the size being knitted.

The sample bonnet shown in the pattern was knit using The Wool Barn Twist Sock yarn in the colorway "Blush" for the main color, demonstrating the beautiful results achievable with quality sock-weight yarn. Standard knitting needles appropriate for 4-ply yarn are required, along with basic notions including a tapestry needle for grafting and finishing, and materials for creating the pompom.

Difficulty Level

This pattern is rated as beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for knitters new to garment construction. While the pattern incorporates several techniques—including colorwork, the Kitchener stitch, and i-cord—the straightforward construction and clear progression from flat to circular knitting provide a supportive learning environment. The generous sizing range and the designer's note to "size up, kids grow" reflects a practical, encouraging approach to pattern design.