Bubble & Squeak Hat and Shoes in Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton - Downloadable PDF

Bubble & Squeak Hat and Shoes in Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton – Pattern Summary

This downloadable PDF pattern by Erika Knight presents a charming coordinated set of baby accessories: a classic garter stitch hat and a pair of Mary-Jane style shoes, both designed for newborns and infants up to twelve months. The set is knitted in Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton, a 100% cotton DK-weight yarn, making it an ideal choice for baby skin — breathable, soft, and gentle. The pattern is rated intermediate in difficulty and is available as a downloadable and printable PDF.

What Is Being Made

The pattern covers two distinct designs that work together as a coordinated baby gift set or wardrobe staple:

• Bubble Hat – A round, seamless baby hat worked in the round using double-ended needles, featuring simple top shaping and a clean, classic silhouette.
• Squeak Shoes – A pair of flat-knitted baby shoes in a sweet Mary-Jane style, fastened with a small button for a decorative and functional finish.

Sizes and Measurements

Hat Sizes

• 0–6 months: Head circumference approximately 32cm / 12½in; finished length approximately 15cm / 6in
• 6–12 months: Head circumference approximately 36cm / 14¼in; finished length approximately 16cm / 6¼in

Shoe Sizes

• 0–3 months: Sole length approximately 7cm / 2¾in
• 3–6 months: Sole length approximately 8cm / 3¼in
• 6–12 months: Sole length approximately 9cm / 3½in

Techniques Used

Both the hat and shoes rely on a small, accessible set of knitting techniques, making this pattern approachable for knitters who are comfortable moving beyond beginner projects:

• Knitting in the round – The hat is constructed using a set of four double-ended needles, casting on stitches distributed across three needles and working with the fourth. A stitch marker is placed to indicate the beginning of each round.
• Flat knitting – The shoes are worked flat on straight needles, allowing for seaming and the addition of button fastenings.
• Top shaping with decreases – The hat crown is shaped through a series of decrease rounds, alternating knit and purl rounds with evenly spaced K2tog and P2tog reductions, gradually tapering from the full stitch count down to a neat, closed crown.
• Button fastening – Each shoe is finished with a small button, adding the signature Mary-Jane strap detail.

Stitches Used

Garter stitch is the primary stitch pattern used throughout both the hat and the shoes. In flat knitting, garter stitch is achieved by knitting every row. When worked in the round, as in the hat, garter stitch is created by alternating a knit round with a purl round — this produces the same characteristic ridged, reversible fabric. Garter stitch is well loved in baby knitting for its natural elasticity, its flat lay without curling, and its beginner-friendly rhythm.

Key Stitches and Abbreviations Referenced in the Pattern

• K – Knit
• P – Purl
• K2tog – Knit two stitches together (a right-leaning decrease)
• P2tog – Purl two stitches together (a decrease worked on purl rounds)
• Yfwd – Yarn forward (used in the shoe construction)
• G st – Garter stitch

Materials

Yarn

• Erika Knight Gossypium Cotton – 100% cotton, DK