Wednesday, August 19, 2015

Baby Bear Hooded Cowl

Baby Bear Hooded Cowl
Size 7 - 12 (so it will fit more snugly on a larger child)

I think we've probably all seen some version of this hat, what with the ears, the hood, and the cute kid poking out and all. So here, by request, let me present my version: the Baby Bear Hooded Cowl, which knits up quickly on size US 10 needles and with chunky weight yarn. Of course, it's not just kids who deserve to look this cute, so I've also sized the thing from toddler to adult. Make one for your husband! He'll love it, I promise (note: my promise does not constitute a legal, binding agreement. In fact, make one for your husband at your own peril. Seriously.)!

Sizes: Toddler (Ages 4 - 6; Ages 7 - 12; Teen/Small Adult; Large Adult)

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Chunky Tweed (75% Acrylic, 22% Wool, 3% Rayon; 143 yards [131 meters]/100 grams); #T599 Brown - one skein (two skeins; two skeins; two skeins; two skeins)

A closer look at the face hole.
Filled by one of the cutest little faces.
Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 9, one 16" circular needle in size US 10, one set of double pointed needles (dpns) in size 10, and one 24" circular needle in size US 10 if you're knitting size 7 - 12 or larger

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 14 stitches = 4 inches on size 10 needles 

So let's get started! Using your 16" size 10 circular needle, then, cast on 64 (68; 72; 76; 80) stitches, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll knit the following edging rows:

Edging Rows 1 - 3: purl

And once those bad boys are done, knit 2" (3.5"; 5"; 7"; 9") in stockinette. Switch to your size 9 needle, and we'll do a few ribbing rows before we move on to the hood, like so:

Ribbing Row: * k2, p2; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row 4 (4; 4; 6; 6) times. Transfer work back to your 16" US 10 needle. Now we're going to be working back and forth from the break, although we'll continue to use circular needles. We're going to begin with some decrease rows, as follows:

Decrease Row 1 (wrong side): purl

Decrease Row 2: ssk, knit until you have 2 stitches left in row, k2tog

Knit decrease rows 1 & 2 until you have 54 (58; 62; 66; 70) stitches left on needle. Then, work in stockinette until portion above ribbing measures 8.5" (9.5"; 10.5"; 11.5"; 12.5"). Bind off loosely and then seam, or bind off and seam at the same time with a three needle bind off.

Now that the body of the cowl & hood is finished, we'll finish the face hole. With that in mind, using your 16" (16"; 24"; 24"; 24") size 10 needle, pick up 68 (78; 90; 102; 116) stitches evenly along edge of face hole, place marker, and join in round. Purl three rows around and bind off loosely.

And now it's time to make some ears! With that in mind, using your dpns, cast on 16 (16; 20; 20; 20) stitches. Divide between three dpns as follows; 4 (4; 5; 5; 5) stitches on the first, 8 (8; 10; 10; 10) on the second, and 4 (4; 5; 5; 5) on the third. Join in round and work as follows:

Rows 1 - 5: knit (all sizes)

Row 6: k3, k2tog, ssk, k6, k2tog, ssk, k3 (sizes 7 - 12 and larger ONLY)

Row 7: knit (sizes 7 - 12 and larger ONLY)

Row 8: (k2tog) twice, (ssk) twice, (k2tog) twice, (ssk) twice (all sizes)

At this point, you should have 8 stitches left: 2 on your first needle, 4 on your second, and 2 on your third. Using your third dpn, knit across 2 stitches on first dpn. Now you should have 4 stitches on each of two needles. Using the Kitchener stitch, graft together. Make another, and then seam to hood slightly in front of halfway between front and back of hood, and about 1/2" - 1" on either side of the seam, depending on your preferences (you'd probably want them closer on a smaller hood, further apart on a larger one). Tuck in ends and block, if desired.






49 comments:

  1. This is precious!!! I'm going to tell my friend about it - her Grandson's name is "Teddy"!

    Linda in VA

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    1. That's adorable! A Teddy definitely needs a teddy hat. :)

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  2. Especially love the last picture. Looks like baby bear got into the cookie jar.

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  3. Adorable! I would like to knit this using worsted weight yarn (that's what I have available).
    It looks like you cast on in multiples of 4. I've figured out most of it but not sure how many stitches I would pick up for the face hole if I cast on 96 stitches at the start. I appreciate the patterns and the help.

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    1. Hi Debbie!

      I am very happy to help you with this. What gauge are you estimating and what size are you making? That should help me help you! :)

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  4. For the yarn I'm using 5 stitches across and 5 stitches up is 1 inch. As much as I hate to admit it I've never made a swatch for any knitted item (I know, I know bad Debbie). I usually just use whatever needles size is listed on the label. Most everything I knit is on either 8 or 9's. As for size I'm making this for someone with a big head and a lot of hair. If I'm correct adding 16 stitches at the beginning should give about 2 1/2-3 inches extra that will fit around the head (to make up for not using bulky yarn).

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    1. Hi again!

      Don't worry, I didn't gauge anything for a really long time either - now I just have to! :) And you can always just cast on face hole stitches based on how big the opening is once it's completed - if you know your gauge and the measurements, you should be able to determine how many to cast on! If you'd prefer some guidance, I apologize, but I still need to know which size you're planning to make, since that determines how long the face opening will be. Again, though, if you wait until that part of the hood is complete and simply measure, you can also calculate it on your own or ask for help then. :)

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  5. I'll go with what I've figured out so far. I'll let you know how it goes :)

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  6. any suggestions for making this for a toddler age 1 to 3 years old?

    please respond to mcgranepb@comcast.net

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    1. Hi Betty!

      The Toddler size of this hood should work just fine for that age. :) And let me know if you have any other questions!

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  7. This is so cute. I can't wait to see it on my grandson! Thanks for sharing the pattern!

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    1. Glad you like it! I hope it turns out well - I'm sure you're grandson will be very cute. :) Let me know if you have any questions!

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  8. This is really cute! I have to knit it for my son! He has a quite big head for his age (18 months) - for which head circumference is the toddler size? His head circumference is 52-53 cm. Do you think the toddler size will fit?

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    1. Hi there!

      Yes, I am confident the toddler size will fit. :) However, the shape of this hat makes it possible to knit a larger size and still have it fit since it doesn't use a ribbing to hold it in place, and fits more like a hood either way. So if you're worried you could always knit the larger size and let him grow into it a bit!

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  9. Hello - I have a question about this portion of the pattern "Transfer work back to your 16" US 10 needle. Now we're going to be working back and forth from the break, although we'll continue to use circular needles. We're going to begin with some decrease rows, as follows:

    Decrease Row 1 (wrong side): purl

    Decrease Row 2: ssk, knit until you have 2 stitches left in row, k2tog"

    - Once I transfer back to the size 10 needle, I am still joined in the round. How do I go from being in the round to knitting back and forth. I tried to look up online, but have not been able to find out any info...Thank you, adorable pattern!

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    1. Hi there!

      Glad you like the pattern! :) And you work back and forth by simply treating each end of the circular needle as if it's its own needle - basically, you just take out your row marker and turn the work around rather than proceeding in the round when you reach that part. Does that help?

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  10. Ok so went I get to market, turn the other way? Am I turning the work inside out? I tried a couple of rows and do see I have created a "split". I am still generally confused about how it will come together as I haven't done this technique before. Thank you so much for fast response! I was chugging along and then came to a reluctant screeching halt ��

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    1. Typing this on phone so apologies for typos and weird snarky tone that it read as...."when I get to marker" do I turn the other way by turning work inside out?

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    2. Hi again!

      First off, you will not be rejoining the hood in the round; when you get to the top you'll be seaming it. And I know it can be weird to think of turning it around, and it's one of those silly, easy things that's nevertheless hard to explain. Anyway, you don't need to turn your work inside out. Instead, simply take the end of the circular needle that you usually have in your right hand and hold it in your left, and put the normally-left-hand needle in your right. Now you should be looking at the wrong side of your fabric at the needle break. It can be a bit awkward to work the first few rows, until the split gets longer, but it will seem more and more like regular flat knitting the longer you work. Is this helping any more than my previous instruction? I can try to make a video for you, but that will take a few days at least to get ready. :)

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    3. Thanks, I kept going and I now see the simplicity of it :). Now you may hear from me again when I get to the ears!! Thank you so much for your help.

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    4. Wonderful! And no worries - I'm always happy to help!!! :)

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  11. I did mine in Black Tweed because we have black bears here in Michigan. I love it! I did use fewer stitches around the face because I wanted it to fit tighter.
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153245936665957&set=pcb.10153245938940957&type=3
    https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153245936675957&set=pcb.10153245938940957&type=3

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  12. This little hood is super cute! I never make baby things, but a friend is expecting so I was searching the blogs I enjoy (psst, yours is one of them) I wasn't even looking for a hat or hood! I love this, and I think that I will have to make an entire bear hood set for the family! What a great photo that will be! Thank you for sharing your patterns and giving me inspiration to jump off from. I will send you photos!

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    1. Awesome, I look forward to it! My son still wears his almost every day, and it came in really handy when we had an unexpected dress-up day at his school! Anyway, let me know if you have any questions, and I'll keep an eye out for the pics. :)

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  13. How important is the switch to size 9 needles for the ribbing? I don't have 9. 8 okay?

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    1. An 8 for the ribbing is great! :) Let me know if you have any other questions.

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    2. Thanks for answering. Love your pattern.❤

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  14. Hello Gretchen
    I have knitted three of these wonderful hoods for twin Nephews and a niece since Sunday! I have adult Son's who have seen them and they would love one too!
    Thank you so much for sharing your beautiful patterns, I find you so inspirational, I have a wonderful list of your patterns for my 2019 Christmas list xxxxx

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    1. Oh wonderful, I'm so glad to hear the pattern is working out for you! :) And thanks for your kind words. Let me know if you ever have any questions!

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  15. Hi Thank you for this pattern. I am actually going to change it into a mickey mouse hat requested by my daughter. I just wanted to check what UK size needles are used please. It is 10mm?
    Thanks for any help.

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    1. US 9 is a 5.5 mm, US 10 is a 6 mm. Here's a link to a conversion table as well. :)

      https://bestyarns.com/knitting-needle-conversion-chart/

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  16. Hi Gretchen. I am a little stuck on your pattern. I have got to the ribbing and wondered what the abbreviation for SSK is please. I have asked my knitting guru on this but we can't work out the 2 decreasing rows. Any help would be amazing. Thank you

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    1. Hi there!

      The ssk is a standard left-leaning 2-to-1 decrease. Here's a link to a video! :)

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WVZhsz9wZxE

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  17. Thank you so much. Loving the pattern so far. :)

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  18. LOVE this pattern! I just finished making one and I'm pleased with the results. Since I didn't use bulky yarn, I played around with different needles to work it with. I took a photo of my finished project but, I don't see where to share it here. Thank you so much for sharing your pattern!

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    1. Glad to hear it worked out so well for you! And you can always share it on my Facebook page... You can find the link above. :)

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  19. Hi Gretchen, lovely pattern! What seaming method should I use for the top of the hood? Thanks : )

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    1. Hi there! Glad you like the pattern. :) I think I used the three needle bind off but you could do this as well...
      https://pattylyons.com/2016/01/tuesday-tip-seaming-knitted-shoulders/

      Pretty much any way you like to do it should work! :)

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  20. Hi Gretchen. I love this pattern! I would like to make for my first granddaughter who is not quite one. Her head circumference is 18 inches. I’m planning to use your smallest size instructions. Would love to use Malabrigo Mecha yarn. This yarn comes in skeins of 130 yards. I see I should need 143 yards. Can I shorten the cowl portion a bit so I don’t run out of yarn, and if so, how many rows to save 13 yards? I really don’t want to buy 2 skeins. Would this be the best way to accomplish this? It will have growing room no matter how I make it a bit smaller. Thank you so much. Excited to make this. Arlene Birch

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    1. Hi Arlene! I am in full support of not using two skeins! I think you could probably knit the whole pattern as is without having any problems, but of course I can't guarantee it. That being said, another thing you could do is you could start with a provisional cast-on since that would leave you with live stitches in both directions. Then you could knit one row around and then go directly to the ribbed portion. Then once you're done with the top of the hat you could pick up your provisional stitches at the bottom and complete it, potentially leaving out a row or two if you needed to. Hope that helps! :)

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    2. Gretchen, thank you for answering so quickly! I’ll learn that cast on method from Google! Thanks again. Asking my daughter which color malabrigo then hitting the ‘buy now’ button!!!! Yay! 😘

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    3. Awesome, let me know if you have any other questions! :)

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  21. Just made this for my son, he looks so cute in it. The instructions were super clear sad made it easier to knit!

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    1. Awesome, I'm glad to hear it! I'm a real sucker for kids in hoods with ears!!! :)

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