Use a lightweight Sport Yarn. Picture shown uses "I Love This Yarn" sport weight from Hobby Lobby, in orange. Leaves and stem are the same yarn in green. Hat may also be made in other colors or with stripes. Try red and green for tomato or apple.

Gauge: approx 13 sts: 2"

2 pound size:

Cast on 50 sts on #3 dpn's.

K 32 rounds (about 3") in orange.

Change to green.

K 8, K 2 tog. Repeat sequence around. (45 sts)

K 7, K 2 tog. Repeat sequence

K 6, K 2 tog., etc

Continue decreases until 5 sts remain. Knit 5 more rounds for stem. Break yarn and run through the 5 sts and fasten off on the inside.

3 pound size:

Cast on 60 sts.

K 35 rounds in orange.

K 8, K 2 tog. Repeat sequence around (54 sts)

K 7, K 2 tog. Repeat sequence around

K 6, K 2 tog., etc.

Continue decreases until 6 sts remain.  K 6 rounds for stem. Break yarn and run through the 6 sts and fasten off on the inside.

Make larger sizes by using a larger needle. Increase width by multiples of 10 and make the crown deeper.

A kind knitter made one of these caps which our grandson received in the NICU. I have replicated the design, changing the stitch count, to match the size of the original, with yarn that was available to me. We cherish that little hat, and thank the anonymous donor.

July 30, 2009