I love when people contact me about custom projects. It forces me to expand my creative horizons and make items that may be a little out of my normal, crafting comfort zone. These projects are especially gratifying since I know someone is entrusting me to make the perfect design based on their idea. It's not always an easy task.
When my sister-in-law asked if I would be willing to knit a Strawberry Shortcake Halloween costume for my baby niece, I jumped at the opportunity. I couldn't really find a pattern I liked, so after exchanging a few ideas and pins with SIL, I set to work creating my own pattern.
The complete set includes a pink strawberry hat, green and white striped legwarmers and a strawberry skirt. My favorite piece, and I think you'll agree, is the strawberry hat. It's just so dang cute with the visor and the little knotted stem!
Materials
- 1 skein (5 oz/141 g 256 yds/234 m) Red Heart Soft Baby Steps in Strawberry
- 1 skein (5 oz/141 g 256 yds/234 m) Red Heart Soft Baby Steps in Baby Green
- 1 skein (5 oz/141 g 256 yds/234 m) Red Heart Soft Baby Steps in White
- US size 8 (5.0 mm) dpn or circular needles
- stitch markers
Gauge
17 sts x 23 rows = 4 inches in stockinette stitch
Finished hat fits a 6-18 month baby. It's 15 inches in circumference and stretches to approximately 20-22 inches.
Abbreviations
k - knit
p - purl
sl - slip
m1 - make 1 stitch by lifting the strand between the needles with the left needle tip and knit the lifted loop through the back
yfwd - pull the yarn forward under the needles
ybk - pull the yarn back under the needles
k2tog - knit 2 stitches together
ssk - slip two stitches individually, knit wise then knit the stitches together through the back loopssl - slip
m1 - make 1 stitch by lifting the strand between the needles with the left needle tip and knit the lifted loop through the back
yfwd - pull the yarn forward under the needles
ybk - pull the yarn back under the needles
k2tog - knit 2 stitches together
Directions
With white, co 72.
Rnd 1-4: *K1, p1* around.
Break white and attach strawberry
Rnd 5: *K2, m1* around. There will be 108 sts in the round.
Rnd 6-17: K all sts.
Rnd 18: K all sts placing 6 markers evenly around every 18 sts.
*K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog* until 42 sts remain.
Break strawberry and attach baby green.
*K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog* until 6 sts remain.
*K1, K2tog* twice. 4 sts remain.
Work an I-cord by sliding all 4 sts onto one dpn.
*K 4 sts. Without turning the needle, slide sts to other point and pull the yarn around the back* repeat until I-cord measures 3 inches long.
Break the yarn and thread the tail through the 4 sts, pulling tightly. You can hide the tail by threading it down through the I-cord. Tie the I-cord in a knot.
Next, you will make the visor.
With right side facing, pick up 30 sts along the cast on edge of the brim with baby green yarn.
Row 1: *P1, ybk, sl 1, yfwd* across.
Row 2: Ssk, *k1, yfwd, sl 1, ybk* across to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 3: Sl 1, *p1, ybk, sl 1, yfwd* across to last stitch, p1.
Row 4: Ssk, *yfwd, sl 1, ybk, k1* across to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 5: *P1, ybk, sl 1, yfwd* across.
Row 6: Ssk, *k1, yfwd, sl 1, ybk* across to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Bind off.
Here's a peek at all three pieces.
The extended version of my Baby Strawberry Costume Pattern, with directions for all three pieces of the set in multiple sizes, is available in my pattern shop.
Rnd 1-4: *K1, p1* around.
Break white and attach strawberry
Rnd 5: *K2, m1* around. There will be 108 sts in the round.
Rnd 6-17: K all sts.
Rnd 18: K all sts placing 6 markers evenly around every 18 sts.
*K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog* until 42 sts remain.
Break strawberry and attach baby green.
*K to 2 sts before marker, k2tog* until 6 sts remain.
*K1, K2tog* twice. 4 sts remain.
Work an I-cord by sliding all 4 sts onto one dpn.
*K 4 sts. Without turning the needle, slide sts to other point and pull the yarn around the back* repeat until I-cord measures 3 inches long.
Break the yarn and thread the tail through the 4 sts, pulling tightly. You can hide the tail by threading it down through the I-cord. Tie the I-cord in a knot.
Next, you will make the visor.
With right side facing, pick up 30 sts along the cast on edge of the brim with baby green yarn.
Row 1: *P1, ybk, sl 1, yfwd* across.
Row 2: Ssk, *k1, yfwd, sl 1, ybk* across to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 3: Sl 1, *p1, ybk, sl 1, yfwd* across to last stitch, p1.
Row 4: Ssk, *yfwd, sl 1, ybk, k1* across to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Row 5: *P1, ybk, sl 1, yfwd* across.
Row 6: Ssk, *k1, yfwd, sl 1, ybk* across to last 2 sts, k2tog.
Bind off.
Here's a peek at all three pieces.
The extended version of my Baby Strawberry Costume Pattern, with directions for all three pieces of the set in multiple sizes, is available in my pattern shop.
