Completely Cabled Baby Bonnet

Size: newborn (3-6 months). Basic pattern is for NB size, the changes for 3-6 months will be given in (). Needles: 2.5mm/US #1.5 (2.75mm/US #2) circular needles and double pointed needles Yarn: 100% cotton, 4 ply, 120 m/131 yards - 50 g Gauge: 6 st x 8 rows = 1 inch (7 st x 9 rows = 1 inch) INSTRUCTIONS Make two I-cords for the ties, each on 3-st. Hide the tail inside the cord while knitting. Cast on 86 stitches between the ties to have in total 92 stitches, this number includes 2 edging stitches (always slip the first stitch and purl the last stitch in every row). Rows 1-6: work flat back and forth in reverse stockinette stitch, this means rows 1, 3, 5 purl to the end; rows 2, 4, 6 knit to the end. Next 32 (40) rows work the cables according to the below chart. Then split up the stitches to 3 parts onto 3 double pointed needles, as 31-30-31. Work the 5 cables on the central needle only, just as they go, decreasing each row in turn 1 or 2 stitches from the side needles. Its easy to count if working, in turn, 2 or 3 together at the end of each row, taking one (the last) stitch from the central part and one or two stitches from the corresponding side part. In the RS rows purl this 2 or 3 together while decreasing, in the WS rows knit 2 or 3 together, this maintains cables to be well-defined on the reverse stockinette stitch. Here is the exact decreasing instruction, continue knitting on the central part like this: 1 (RS) row p1, *k4, p2*repeat 4 times, k4 (thus 1 st remains on the needle), slip 1 st on the left side needle to the central needle and purl these 2 stitches together. Turn your work. 2 (WS) row sl 1, *p4, k2*repeat 4 times, p4 (1 st remains on the needle), slip 1 on the side needle to the central needle and knit 2 stitches together. Turn your work to the RS. 3 (RS) row sl 1, *k4, p2*repeat 4 times, k4 (1 st remains on the needle), slip 2 on the side needle to the central needle and purl 3 stitches together. Turn your work to the WS. 4 (WS) row sl 1, *p4, k2*repeat 4 times, p4, slip 2 on the side needle to the central needle and knit 3 stitches together. Turn your work and repeat from the 1 row twisting the cables as they go, every 8 row. Side needles should get empty in 40 rows. Last 4 rows of the bonnet back side can be optionally worked out in reverse stockinette stitch. Bind off remaining 30 stitches and weave in the ends. Wash with fabric softener, lay flat to dry, and (for 100% cotton only!) iron the bonnet through the wet handkerchief to affix its shape. Knitting Chart.
st th th rd nd st

RS right side

WS wrong side

Edging stitches (slip the first stitch and purl the last stitch in every row)

k1 in RS rows, p1 in WS rows

p1 in RS rows, k1 in WS rows

Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in back, k2, knit stitches on cable needle

Slip 2 stitches onto cable needle and hold in front, k2, knit stitches on cable needle
Pattern and Images Lena Swan 2011