Jana Bonnet and Mitts Set - Knitting Pattern in Debbie Bliss Aymara & Rialto DK

Jana Bonnet and Mitts Set – Knitting Pattern in Debbie Bliss Aymara and Rialto DK

The Jana Bonnet and Mitts Set is a charming knitting pattern by Debbie Bliss, designed for babies and toddlers aged 6–12, 12–18, and 18–24 months. The set includes two coordinating accessories: a classic bonnet-style hat and a pair of mitts, both worked in a combination of Debbie Bliss's luxurious Aymara and Rialto DK yarns. The finished pieces are further embellished with decorative hand embroidery, making this an engaging and rewarding project for intermediate-level knitters.

About the Designs

The Jana Bonnet Hat

The Jana bonnet is a fitted baby hat worked flat on straight needles, beginning with a cast-on of 80, 88, or 96 stitches depending on the size being made. The body of the hat is worked in stocking stitch for a smooth, classic fabric, and the back of the head is shaped using a series of decreases — specifically k2tog (knit two together) and skpo (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) — to create a neat, rounded fit. This shaping technique is typical of traditional bonnet construction and produces a tidy, symmetrical finish at the crown.

Once the knitted fabric is complete, the hat is decorated with hand embroidery using small amounts of yarn in multiple colours. The embroidery chart provided in the pattern specifies a variety of embroidery stitches in a range of shades, bringing the design to life with folk-inspired motifs.

The Jana Mitts

The Jana mitts are worked flat on straight needles and sized to match the hat across the same three age ranges. Each mitt begins with a 1×1 rib cuff — worked as knit one, purl one — using 3.25mm (US 3) needles for a snug, stretchy edge that stays in place on little wrists. After 14 rows of ribbing, the work transitions to 3.75mm (US 5) needles for the main body, which is worked in stocking stitch.

A simple thumb shaping is incorporated using m1 increases (make one by picking up and working into the back of the loop lying between stitches), creating a small thumb gusset for a more comfortable and practical fit. Like the hat, the mitts are finished with hand embroidery using the same colourful palette and stitches, ensuring the two pieces work together as a cohesive set.

Techniques Used

• Worked flat on straight needles throughout both the hat and mitts
• Stocking stitch (knit on right side, purl on wrong side) for the main fabric
• 1×1 rib (knit one, purl one) for the mitt cuffs
• Decreasing using k2tog (knit two together) and skpo (slip one, knit one, pass slipped stitch over) for hat shaping
• m1 increases (make one) for thumb gusset shaping on the mitts
• Hand embroidery applied after knitting is complete

Embroidery Stitches

A detailed embroidery chart is included in the pattern. The following decorative stitches are specified:

• Chain Stitch in Gold
• Detached Chain Stitch in Blue, Purple, and Black
• Straight Stitch in Yellow
• Back Stitch in Gold
• French Knots in Blue, Purple, Black, and Red

These embroidery techniques are accessible for knitters who have a basic familiarity with needlework, and