Animal Ear Bonnets to Knit for Little Ones

Last year I shared a couple of different options for sweet pixie bonnets for little kids with animal ears. The patterns are from Fox and Pine Stitches, and they actually have quite a few different options for kids in your life who like different kinds of animals.

I had already shared a mouse and bunny hat, but there are also a cat, which you can see above, fox and bear options. The bear or cat could also be a dog, depending on the type of ears that you would like your dog to have.

Each of the patterns is worked in worsted weight yarn and they come in seven sizes: newborn, 0-3 months, 3-6 months, 6-12 months, 1-2 years, 3-4 years and 5+.

They each use the same basic pattern for the hat but are worked in different colors and with different ears to evoke different animals. And because of the bonnet shape you don’t need to worry about adding eyes, whiskers or other features because there’s not really a place to do so.

The I-cord ties on these are super cute as well. (Check out my post on how to knit cord if you aren’t sure how to do this part.)

These hats would be great to encourage kids to keep warm in the winter months (and they’re quick to knit so you can still make one for this season in the Northern Hemisphere, or to prepare for colder weather in the South), or you can make them as an easy addition to a Halloween costume, or even just for everyday dress up.

All of the patterns are free and available from Fox and Pine Designs at the links above. And don’t miss their little bear ears beanie, which you could adapt to have any of the ears that are shown in these patterns to make whatever animal your little one desires.

[Photo: Fox and Pine Stitches]

Not too long ago I did a test knit for another designer that was for a cabled cardigan. It’s really cozy and nice but it just about broke me in a ton of different ways. I couldn’t get gauge, which I suppose is my own problem, but mainly I was somehow both bored and forced to pay attention at the same time.

Because it used the same cable all over, I always had to know what row I was on, but nine out of ten of those rows, nothing in particular was going on. So I couldn’t stop paying attention, but what I needed to attend to was boring.

It may have ruined me for knitting cabled sweaters, but maybe I just need something that’s more engaging. Like this Modern Aran Cardigan pattern from Lion Brand Yarn.

This is a reworking of an old pattern from their archives, and you can tell that form the classic look of the cables and the oversized feel (nothing cropped about this one!). It has allover cables, but like a classic Aran sweater it’s not the same cable, so you’ll have to pay attention to what row you’re on and what cable turns happen for which cables on that row.

Because of this, it’s considered an intermediate knitting pattern, but if you’re comfortable working from multiple charts at once it shouldn’t be a problem for you. There are three different charts and seven different cable moves.

Also because the pattern is so big and boxy there are only two sizes available, with a finished chest measurement of either 49 or 63 inches (that’s 124.5 or 160 cm). It’s up to you to decide how much ease you would like and whether that will work for your body.

The pattern uses worsted weight yarn (and calls for another classic, Lion Brand Fisherman’s Wool). It calls for six buttons and includes pockets to make it extra cozy.

This one looks like a great winter project to make and to wear if you’re up for a bit of a challenge. You can grab the free pattern or buy a kit with the yarn needed direct from Lion Brand Yarn.

[Photo: Lion Brand Yarn]

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