Helmet with Mittens Pattern

Directions are for 6-month to 1-year size. Changes for 2 to 3 year size are in parentheses.

MATERIALS:
NOMOTTA Mothproof Germantown Zephyr (matched dye-lots)
3 1-oz skeins
1 pair needles size 5

GAUGE: 6 sts = 1 inch; 9 rows = 1 inch

BROKEN RIB PATTERN STITCH: On a multiple of 4 sts plus 1.
ROW 1: K 2, P 2 across row, ending with K 1.
Repeat this row for pattern.

HELMET

Starting at lower edge, cast on 89 (93) sts. Work in Pattern for 2¾ ins. Decrease for Neck as follows: P 1, *slip 1 stitch as if to knit, K 1, pass slip-st over knit-st, P 2 together; repeat from * across; 45 (47) sts remain. Work firmly in ribbing of K 1, P 1 for 9 rows. Now, increase as follows: Working in ribbing of K 2, P 2, increase 1 stitch in each of the next 44 (46) sts, knit last st; 89 (93) sts. Change to Pattern and work 1¼ (1½) ins.

Face Opening: Work 36 (37) sts, bind off next 17 (19) sts, continue in Pattern to end of row. Keeping established pattern and working on one side only work straight for 2½ ins, end at face edge. Break yarn. Attach yarn at face edge of other side and work to correspond with first side, but do not break yarn. Cast on 17 (19) sts at end of needle, work in Pat­tern across the 36 (37) sts for first side; 89 (93) sts. Con­tinue in Pattern until Helmet measures 2½ (3) ins straight up from last cast-on sts. Decrease across next row same as for neck; 45 (47) sts remain. Work in ribbing of K 1, P 1 for 6 rows. Break yarn leaving a long end. Draw end through all sts tightly and fasten on wrong side.

MITTENS

Cuff: Cast on 33 (35) sts. Note: For 1-year Size Only, end Pattern row with P 1. For Both Sizes: Work in Pattern for 1¾ (2) ins. Decrease 16 (17) sts across next row, same as for Neck of Helmet; 17 (18) sts remain. Work in ribbing of K 1, P 1 for 4 rows. Next Row, increase 16 (17) sts as follows: P 1, work in ribbing of K 2, P 2, increasing 1 stitch in each of the remaining 16 (17) sts; 33 (35) sts. Work 2 rows in Pat­tern. Slip a marker on needle then cast on 2 sts for thumb.

Hand and Thumb Gusset: K 1, P 1, slip marker from one needle to the other, work in Pattern across hand. Working the thumb sts in ribbing of K 1, P 1 and the Hand sts in Pat­tern, increase 1 stitch at each side of thumb every other row until there are 12 (14) sts in thumb. Work 1 (2) rows after last increase row. On next row, work to marker, slip thumb sts on a thread. Continue in Pattern across Hand until hand measures 2¾ (3) ins straight up from ribbing. Shape Tip as follows: Decrease 16 (17) sts across row same as for hand; 17 (18) sts remain. Change to ribbing of K 1, P 1 and work 2 rows. Break yarn and draw end through all sts tightly.

Thumb: Slip the thumb sts from thread onto needle. Work in ribbing of K 1, P 1 for 4 (6) rows. Break yarn, draw end tightly through all sts.

Finishing:Sew thumb gusset to hand, then sew side seam.