A Simple NIN Bonnet

by Merry Higby ©2001


IMPORTANT! Use size 10 thread or it will not be big enough. This bonnet was designed to work up quickly to encourage more people to tat a bonnet to be used for Newborns In Need. One major thing that makes this work up quickly is using size 10 thread.
The pictures show the bonnet on a regulation sized soft ball, which is about the size of a grapefruit.

SIDES AND TOP OF BONNET:

(This consists of chains and rings.)

FIRST ROW:
Begin the 1st "strip" with a Ch.
Ch: 4-2-2-4. DO NOT RW.   (Also, keep the picots pointing outward on this chain.
LR: 6-6-2-2-6-6. CR. RW.
Ch: 4-2-2-4. RW.
LR: 6 + (to last P of Prev R) 6-2-2-6-6. CR. Rw.
Ch: same as Prev Ch.
Continue in this manner until the "strip" has 12 Chs & 12 LR. DO NOT RW.
Ch: 4-2-2-4. DO NOT RW. The Ps on this end chain should be pointing outward.


ROW TWO: (heading back the other way)
LR: 6-6-2-2-6-6. CR. Rw.
(You should now be heading back in the reverse direction so you can join the Chs in this row to the Chs in the 1st row.)
* Ch: 4-2 + (to center P of Ch between the last 2 LR of 1st row) 2-4. CR. RW.
LR: 6+ (to last P of Prev LR in row 2) 6-2-2-6-6. CR. RW. *
Continue from * to *, stopping after the chain before the last ring.
Join to chain at beginning of row 1.

Cut and tie
Split ring
Last Ring: 6+ (to last P of Prev LR) 6-2-2-6-6.
Cut and tie. Hide Ends.
Row 3
Ch: 4-2-2-4. DO NOT RW.   (Keep the picots pointing outward on this chain.)
* LR: 6-6-2+(to center p on LR of row 2) 2-6-6. CR. Rw.
Ch: 4-2-2-4. CR. RW.* 		SR: 6+ (to last p of prev LR) 6-2 / 6-6-2

Row 3
SR: 2-6+6/2-6-6
*Ch: 4-2-2-4. CR. RW.
R: 6+6-2-2-6-6*
Continue from * to * to end of row, climbing to row 4 with a chain (with picots facing outward).

ROW FOUR:
LR: 6-6-2-2-6-6. CR. Rw.
* Ch: 4-2 + (to center P of Ch between the last 2 LR of 1st row) 2-4. CR. RW.
LR: 6+ (to last P of Prev LR in row 2) 6-2-2-6-6. CR. RW. *
Repeat from * to * to end of row.
Do Not Reverse
Ch: 4-2-2-4+(to last R on row 3)
Cut and tie. Hide ends.


BACK MEDALLION:
See SCMR alternative below.
BegR: 1DS, 15 P separated by 2 DS) 1DS. CR. Leave 3/8 inch spacer thread. Do NOT cut thread.
Next round:
SR: 2-2+ (to 1st P on Prev round of medallion) 2-2. Leave 3/8 inch spacer thread.
LR: 6-6-2-2-6-6. CR. Leave 3/8 inch spacer thread. RW.
SR: 2+ (to last P of 1st SR) 2+ (to next free P on BegR of medallion) 2-2. CR.
Leave 3/8 inch spacer thread. RW.

LR: 6+ (to last P of 1st LR in second round of medallion) 6-2-2-6-6.
Leave 3/8 inch spacer thread. CR. RW.
Continue in this manner, until you get to the 4th LR of medallion.
4th LR: 6+ (to last P on Prev LR in second round of medallion) 6-2+ (to center P of 1st LR on last row of Rs & Chs (which is the sides & top of bonnet.) 2-6-6. CR.
Leave 3/8 spacer thread. RW.

Continue around making & joining the SRs & LRs in the medallion in the same manner, being sure to join the center P of the LRs of medallion to the center P of the LRs of the "strip of Rs & Chs" until you get to the LAST (15th) SR & LRs. Be sure to join them to the corresponding SR & LR at the beginning of the medallion. (You should have one LR of medallion from LR #4 thru #15, connected to each LR of the "strip of Rs & Chs section of the bonnet.)

SCMR, less SR and all measuring at once version
Note: - - indicates a picot that is 3/8" when it is folded (or 3/4" on horizontal gauge.)

SCMR: 2 [leave 3/8" thread, R: 2-2- -2-2, leave 3/8" thread] 2 * [leave 3/8" thread, R: 2+2- -2-2, leave 3/8" thread] 2 *

Repeat from * to * until there are 14 rings surrounding the center ring.

Leave 3/8" thread.

SR: 2+2 / 2+2

Leave 3/8" thread

*R: 6-6-2+(to center p on LR of bonnet top and sides) 2-6-6

Join to LP on next small ring of SCMR*

Repeat from * to *, joining to all 12 rings of bonnet top.

**R: 6-6-2-2-6-6

Join to LP on next small ring of SCMR**
Repeat from ** to **, joining to remaining 3 LP and joining last LR to first LR.

Tie tail of last LR to tail coming from SR at end of SCMR.

Cut and tie. Hide ends.
Some of these directions may seem too wordy for the experienced tatter, but I tried to write this so even a beginner would be able to follow it.

I hope you all enjoy the simplicity of this pattern and enjoy making them. I ask only that you please make at least one bonnet for NIN or as many as you'd like for them (any chapter or division) because NIN was my inspiration for designing it.

I would love to hear from any of you who make it and hear how you liked it, so please email me.

For more information on NIN (Newborns In Need) please check out their web-site


  
ABBREVIATIONS
R:  ring LR:  Large ring SR:  Small ring
BegR:    Beginning Ring CR:    Close Ring DS(s):    Double Stitch(s)
p or -:  picot -- :   Long Picot ch:  chain
prev.:  previous RW or rev:  reverse work Numerals  indicate the number of double stitches
+:  join (text in brackets following indicate join location)



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