Knit a Hat for Your Little Elf

Lots of these gift idea knitting patterns have been for adults, but of course one way to get a project done fast is to make something for a child (tell that to the gigantic blanket I’ve been working on for more than a month).

Because their bodies are smaller, it generally takes less yarn to cover them. And they look universally adorable in bulky knits, if you ask me.

So here’s a sweet elf-style (aka stocking cap) knit hat you might want to stitch for a kiddo in your life. The pattern, from Gina Michele, is super simple and sized for kids from toddler up to big kid. It uses Lion Brand Thick and Quick and size 13 US needles, so you’ll make quick work of it no matter the size you need to make.

Just don’t forget the adorable contrast pom-pom!

[Photo: Gina Michele.]

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When I knit socks (which sadly I have not done in a while; need to get a new pair on the needles soon!) I generally stick to pretty simple designs and colorwork that isn’t all that detailed.

Don’t get me wrong, I love a fancy sock, I’m also just pretty lazy and I figure a project worked on size 0 or 1 US needles is going to take a long time even without the added work of intricate colorwork, so why make it more complicated?

But there are definitely socks out there I’d be willing to make an exception for, and I think Tangled Bliss by Annette Schleicher may just be one of them.

If you can’t tell from looking, this is decidedly an advanced knitting pattern. There’s brioche for the cuffs, complex looking colorwork done with the ladderback jacquard technique, multiple charts, and colors changing everywhere.

There are links to tutorials for all the special skills in the pattern, but still it would help to have a handle on these concepts before you get started.

The pattern uses three colors of light fingering weight yarn at a whopping 31 stitches per 4 inches/10 cm (that’s 7.75 stitches per inch/2.5 cm).

Would you believe me if I told you that this pattern was designed for a speed knitting contest? Speed would be the last thing on my mind.

But again, I think all the work for these fancy socks would be worth it. I love hoe the colorwork looks like an old tile floor, and think of the bragging rights when you tell people you made them yourself. (Though of course you did; have you ever seen store-bought socks that look anything like this?)

Best of all, this pattern is available for free on Ravelry, so there’s no reason not to give it a try if you’ve got the skills. If you do, I’d love to hear about it!

[Photo: Annette Schleicher]

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