Polka Dot Picot Beanie

Little polka dot picot bobbles make this beanie irresistable!

I first tried the Picot Stitch when making a Picot Headband for my cousin, and loved the little bobbles the finished products have! This Polka Dot Picot preemie beanie incorporates this simply stated texture into the classic half-double crochet stitch pattern.

What's important to remember when making this beanie is to make sure that each picot stitch lies between two picot stitches from the previous row - that way you get that nice, alternating "polka dot" pattern.

The finishing touch is two rows of slip stitches to create a knit-like hat rim. Be sure to slip stitch loosely, or else the rim will be extremely inflexible and it will be difficult to stretch the hat onto a babies head. And of course, you can always add a pom or other embellishments as you wish!

Because the number of stitches in each row is pertinent to the picot stitches lining up, I've written the Polka Dot Picot preemie beanie pattern in just one size - for 3-4lb babies.

Here's the pattern, enjoy!

SIZE: 3-4 LB PREEMIE, 3.5'' tall, 9'' circumference

Materials:

- Size G crochet hook

- 1 skein baby* yarn (I used Bernat Baby Sport)

*Worsted weight yarn will work as well, as long as it's soft enough. If you do use worsted weight yarn, your gauge and finished hat size will be a bit larger, but that's totally fine! The NICU needs hats in newborn and larger sizes as well.

- Tapestry needle for weaving in ends

Notes:

- Sl St = slip stitch

- Hdc = half double crochet

- Sc = single crochet

- Ch = chain

- Yo = yarn over

- Blo = back loop only

*Some rounds, you will be asked to chain, and then turn your work for the next round. Other rounds, you will work in non-turned, non-continuous rounds. Be sure to pay attention to when to turn, and when not to turn!

Picot Stitch: Insert hook into the next stitch, yo and pull up a loop. Yo and pull through the loop on your hook. Yo and pull through the loop on your hook again. Yo and pull through the loop on your hook once more. Yo and pull through both loops on your hook. (Now, you should see what looks like a "chain 4").

PATTERN:

Round 1: Ch 3, 10 hdc in third ch from hook. Sl st to top of the first hdc to join the round.

Round 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to top of the first hdc to join the round.

Round 3: Ch 2, *2 hdc in 1st stitch, 1 hdc in next stitch* repeat around. Sl st to top of the first hdc to join the round.

Round 4: Ch 2, *2 hdc in 1st stitch, 1 hdc in next 2 stitches* repeat around. Sl st to top of the first hdc to join the round.

Round 5: Ch 2, *2 hdc in 1st stitch, 1 hdc in next 5 stitches* repeat around. Sl st to top of the first hdc to join the round.

Round 6: Ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Sl st to top of first sc to join the round.

Round 7: Ch 1, turn. *Picot Stitch in first stitch, 1 sc in next 5 stitches* repeat around. Sl st to top of 1st picot stitch in the round to join round. Ch 2, turn.

Round 8: 1 hdc in each stitch around. Sl st to top of 1st hdc. Ch 1, turn.

Round 9: Sc 3, Picot Stitch in next stitch. *Sc 5, Picot Stitch* repeat 5 times more. (Picot Stitch should lie in the middle of 2 Picot Stitches from the previous round.) Sc 3, Sl St to top of 1st sc in the round. Ch 2, turn.

Round 10: 1 hdc in each st around. Sl St to top of 1st hdc. Ch 1, turn.

Round 11: *Picot Stitch, 1 sc in next 5 stitches* around. Sl St to first Picot St in the round to join. Ch 2, turn.

Round 12: 1 hdc in each stitch around. Sl St to top of 1st hdc. Ch 1, turn.

Rounds 13-14: Repeat rounds 9 & 10.

Round 15: Sl St (loosely!) in each stitch around.

Round 16: Sl St in blo of each stitch around.

Tie off and weave in ends.