2013-02-22
I used Judy’s Magic Cast-on rather than the suggested “figure-8 cast-on.” My gauge with the Bernat Softee Baby DK on size 3 Knit-Picks nickel-plated dpns was slightly too small at 6.5 stitches per inch (the pattern gauge is 6 st/in). The overall size of the bonnet, however, seems to be suitable for a newborn-sized hat at 14” around.

The ears were interesting - worked in-the-round on two needles. There’s always a new technique to learn! I made the second ear with reverse-shaping, putting the increases on the opposite side and using a ssk for the decreases.

I used my Embellish-Knit to make the I-cord ties, so they were four stitches instead of the recommended three. They still seemed to be in good proportion to the hat.

I used Bernat Softee Baby in white for the eyes and Red Heart Sport in black for the nose and mouth. I embroidered the features instead of crocheting them: chain-stitch for the eyes, duplicate and stem stitch for the nose, and split stem-stitch for the mouth. I also added “glints” to the eyes.

I made a pair of “Ruth’s Perfect Baby Booties” to complete a set with this bonnet.

The set is for Rick’s Criminal Justice professor, Col. Aldridge, who just became a grandfather.

The Bernat Softee Baby was easy to work with in this project, and the fabric has an attractive shine that sets off the anime character’s features. Both the bonnet and booties together used less than one 362 yd/140 g skein.