Baby Bear Hooded Cowl

Baby Bear Hooded Cowl
Size 7 - 12 (so it will fit more snugly on a larger child)

I think we've probably all seen some version of this hat, what with the ears, the hood, and the cute kid poking out and all. So here, by request, let me present my version: the Baby Bear Hooded Cowl, which knits up quickly on size US 10 needles and with chunky weight yarn. Of course, it's not just kids who deserve to look this cute, so I've also sized the thing from toddler to adult. Make one for your husband! He'll love it, I promise (note: my promise does not constitute a legal, binding agreement. In fact, make one for your husband at your own peril. Seriously.)!

Sizes: Toddler (Ages 4 - 6; Ages 7 - 12; Teen/Small Adult; Large Adult)

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Encore Chunky Tweed (75% Acrylic, 22% Wool, 3% Rayon; 143 yards [131 meters]/100 grams); #T599 Brown - one skein (two skeins; two skeins; two skeins; two skeins)

A closer look at the face hole.
Filled by one of the cutest little faces.

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 9, one 16" circular needle in size US 10, one set of double pointed needles (dpns) in size 10, and one 24" circular needle in size US 10 if you're knitting size 7 - 12 or larger

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 14 stitches = 4 inches on size 10 needles 

So let's get started! Using your 16" size 10 circular needle, then, cast on 64 (68; 72; 76; 80) stitches, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll knit the following edging rows:

Edging Rows 1 - 3: purl

And once those bad boys are done, knit 2" (3.5"; 5"; 7"; 9") in stockinette. Switch to your size 9 needle, and we'll do a few ribbing rows before we move on to the hood, like so:

Ribbing Row: * k2, p2; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row 4 (4; 4; 6; 6) times. Transfer work back to your 16" US 10 needle. Now we're going to be working back and forth from the break, although we'll continue to use circular needles. We're going to begin with some decrease rows, as follows:

Decrease Row 1 (wrong side): purl

Decrease Row 2: ssk, knit until you have 2 stitches left in row, k2tog

Knit decrease rows 1 & 2 until you have 54 (58; 62; 66; 70) stitches left on needle. Then, work in stockinette until portion above ribbing measures 8.5" (9.5"; 10.5"; 11.5"; 12.5"). Bind off loosely and then seam, or bind off and seam at the same time with a three needle bind off.

Now that the body of the cowl & hood is finished, we'll finish the face hole. With that in mind, using your 16" (16"; 24"; 24"; 24") size 10 needle, pick up 68 (78; 90; 102; 116) stitches evenly along edge of face hole, place marker, and join in round. Purl three rows around and bind off loosely.

And now it's time to make some ears! With that in mind, using your dpns, cast on 16 (16; 20; 20; 20) stitches. Divide between three dpns as follows; 4 (4; 5; 5; 5) stitches on the first, 8 (8; 10; 10; 10) on the second, and 4 (4; 5; 5; 5) on the third. Join in round and work as follows:

Rows 1 - 5: knit (all sizes)

Row 6: k3, k2tog, ssk, k6, k2tog, ssk, k3 (sizes 7 - 12 and larger ONLY)

Row 7: knit (sizes 7 - 12 and larger ONLY)

Row 8: (k2tog) twice, (ssk) twice, (k2tog) twice, (ssk) twice (all sizes)

At this point, you should have 8 stitches left: 2 on your first needle, 4 on your second, and 2 on your third. Using your third dpn, knit across 2 stitches on first dpn. Now you should have 4 stitches on each of two needles. Using the Kitchener stitch, graft together. Make another, and then seam to hood slightly in front of halfway between front and back of hood, and about 1/2" - 1" on either side of the seam, depending on your preferences (you'd probably want them closer on a smaller hood, further apart on a larger one). Tuck in ends and block, if desired.