Hats in King Cole Cottonsoft Baby Crush DK - 5105pdf - Downloadable PDF

Hats Knitted in King Cole Cottonsoft Baby Crush DK – Pattern 5105 Summary

This downloadable PDF knitting pattern from King Cole provides instructions for knitting a collection of children's hats sized from 6 Months up to 7 Years, making it a versatile pattern for babies, toddlers, and young children. The pattern is rated Easy and is suitable for intermediate knitters who are comfortable working in the round of shaping and familiar with basic ribbing techniques. All designs are worked flat on straight needles and shaped at the crown using classic decrease methods.

Yarn and Materials

All hats in this pattern are designed to be knitted in King Cole Cottonsoft Baby Crush DK, a DK weight yarn. This yarn is a soft, baby-friendly yarn well suited to children's accessories. The recommended needle size is 3¼ mm needles, and the pattern uses the thumb method for casting on.

Tension

Achieving the correct tension is essential for accurate sizing across all five sizes. The stated tension for the Ribbed Hat is 26 stitches and 33 rows to 10 cm measured over 1x1 rib on 3¼ mm needles. Knitters are advised to adjust needle size accordingly — using thinner needles if fewer stitches are achieved, or thicker needles if more stitches are produced.

Design 1: Ribbed Hat

The Ribbed Hat is a classic, structured children's hat worked entirely in rib stitch. It is a straightforward knit that produces a stretchy, snug-fitting hat ideal for keeping little ones warm. The hat is worked flat and seamed, beginning with a cast-on and progressing through the brim and body before shaping the crown.

Construction and Techniques

The hat begins with a 2x2 rib (knit 2, purl 2) for the lower brim section. Stitches are cast on using the thumb method with stitch counts ranging from 90 to 110 stitches depending on size. The 2x2 rib is worked until the hat reaches the appropriate length for each size, ranging from approximately 18 to 21 cm.

The pattern then transitions into a 1x1 rib (knit 1, purl 1) section for the upper body of the hat, with minor stitch count adjustments made at the centre of the transition row for certain sizes to accommodate the change in rib pattern. The 1x1 rib section is worked for a further 12 to 15 cm depending on the size being made.

Crown Shaping

Crown shaping is achieved through a series of decrease rows worked at regular intervals, reducing the stitch count progressively to draw the top of the hat to a neat close. The decreases use k2tog (knit two together) worked in a set repeat pattern across multiple rows, with plain rows worked in between each decrease row. The sequence of decrease rows reduces stitches from the working count down through stages — for example from 66 to 81 stitches (depending on size) down to a final small stitch count — before the yarn is drawn through the remaining stitches to finish the crown.

Stitches Used

• 2x2 rib – knit 2, purl 2 repeat, used for the lower brim
• 1x1 rib – knit 1, purl 1 repeat, used for the upper body
• k2tog – knit two together, a right-leaning decrease used throughout crown shaping
• k3tog – knit three together, a double decrease used in crown shaping rows
• p2tog – purl two together, used in the final crown decrease row
• s1 – slip 1 stitch knitways
• k1b – knit into the stitch one row below

Sizing

• Size 1: 6 Months