Baby hats and cir. needles

[monstr27]

My sister is pregnant with my first nephew. I want to make some hats, and of course there are millions of patterns out there. The problem is, the smallest ones say they're for 6-12 month old babies. My nephew is due in late February/early March, so he needs some warm clothes right away. Does anybody know how big a newborn's head is??? Will a regular 6-month pattern be okay?

Aso, I hear that I can use to circular needles, or one extra long one (magic loop?), to finish a hat, but I can't seem to find instructions on either method. Can someone help? Thanks.

[of troy]

How big is a newborns head?
it depends on the newborn.

some people (and some babies) have small heads--for a newborn, this might be 14 inches round..
some people (and some babies have HUGE Heads-my son had the nurses gasping.. he had a 20 inch head!(some adult don't have heads that big!)

Fortunately knitting stretches!

a 16 inch hat is a good place to start for a newborn.. it might be a bit big (for a week or two!) but babies grow fast!

The easiest (and best fitting!) is a simple ribbed hat. (knit flat or in the round) swatch to find out how many stitches you need for 16 inches (in stocking knit) --correct the number (you want a number that is a multiple of 4) GOING UP in stitch count to get correct number)

(add 2 more if knitting flat)
work K2, P2, (k2 -an extra half rib if knitting flat)

for 6 to to 7 inches.
decrease (first change to K2, P1 pattern) then to a K1, P1 pattern then to stocking knit (all with P2tog, or K2tog)

then another round or 2 of k2tog.. (until you have 10 or fewer stitches)
drawsting them closed, (and if needed, sew seam)

a ribbed hat will fit a newborns head, and will still fit 3 or 4 months latter!

(the Sweet baby hat--free on ravelry is one hat pattern that comes in size 0 (newborn) 6 month and 12 month size..

its a fun hat to knit, (a single ball (50gm) of sock yarn will do it.. and most sock yarns are superwash--so the hat will be washable.
self striping sock yarn makes a pretty hat.

[Jan in CA]

Here are some average size charts for children and babies.
http://www.bevscountrycottage.com/size-chart.html
http://www.fibergypsy.com/common/children.shtml

[monstr27]

My thanks to both of you. The help is greatly appreciated. By the way, troy, I'm guessing you had a c-section, or you wouldn't be alive to tell the tale!

My "little" brother was born at 9 pounds 13 ounces, and despite having a c-section, Mom suffered pretty bad because of it--you have my pity and my respect for your remarkable achievement.

[of troy]

No--i come from a long line of peasants,and have peasant hips..not only no c section,i had natural delivery.. (no drugs)--

and no internal damage.. i was at teaching hospital, and while my doctor was there, i also had resident and intern.. and got to hear the lesson..

Resident showed how to do post partem internal exam--and to look for internal tears... and kept saying, well, usually, really, almost always with a big baby like this. you have some tears.. i don't see any.. (and had my doctor double check)

(my ex was scared when he first saw son, and thought there was a problem (his head was so big, he was sure it was hydroencephelits)--His head was so big, the hospital newborn hats didn't fit!

i am overweight.. but i have big hips.. (under all the fat!)
(my son was just 9 lbs, my daughter had a slightly smaller head, and was 9.15oz.. (both were 23 inches long, (over 50cm for those of you who do metric!)--

I (and sibling, and neices/nephews, grandchildren) all have big heads--my son took the prize for the biggest at birth.. but we are all known for our bowling ball (big and round!) heads--from birth on!