Red, White, & Blue Baby Boy

So you can probably tell that life for this great big family has been busy! We had the last of mom's six (yes I said six) children graduate high school a couple weeks ago, so lots of valuable knitting time was spent in planning, preparing, and traveling for the big event. But, on the 6 hour car ride from here to the family farm I stitched up this little hat for a new baby at church. What makes a better gift for a July 3rd baby shower than a July 4th inspired hat (that hopefully won't be needed until about November).

Here's the pattern:

Materials:

• Size 7 Circular Needle 16 inches
• Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn in Navy, Ranch Red, and White Frost
• Stitch Marker
• Yarn Needle

Cast on 80 stitches in Navy. Knit in K2,P2 rib for 1 inch. Knit 2 rows in stockinette stitch. Begin pattern.

Row 1: Switch to Red, *Knit 3, Slip 1 with yarn in back* Repeat.

Row 2: *Purl 3, Slip 1 with yarn in back* Repeat.

Rows 3&4: Switch to Navy and knit entire row.

Row 5: Switch to White, Knit 1, *Slip 1 with yarn in back, knit 3* Repeat to last 3 stitches, Slip 1 with yarn in back, knit 2.

Row 6: purl 1, *Slip 1 with yarn in back, purl 3* Repeat to last 3 stitches, Slip 1 with yarn in back, purl 2.

Rows 7&8: Switch to Navy and knit entire row.

Repeat Rows 1 thru 8 three times more, then repeat rows 1 through 4 (you should end two rows after fifth red row). Decrease as follows:

Row 1: Knit 8, Knit 2 together, repeat.

Row 2: Knit 7, Knit 2 together, repeat.

Row 3: Knit 6, Knit 2 together, repeat.

Row 4: Knit 5, Knit 2 together, repeat.

Row 5: Knit 4, Knit 2 together, repeat.

Row 6: Knit 3, Knit 2 together, repeat.

Row 7: Knit 2, Knit 2 together, repeat.

Row 8: Knit 1, Knit 2 together, repeat.

Row 9: Knit 2 together, repeat.

Sew up remaining 8 stitches and tie in all ends.