"Lottie Hood" - Knitting Pattern in MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran

Lottie Hood Knitting Pattern by Helena Rosen in MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran

The Lottie Hood is a charming knitted baby and toddler hood designed by Helena Rosen for MillaMia. Rather than a traditional knitted hat, this pattern produces a cosy, fitted hood that frames a young child's face beautifully and fastens with a narrow ribbon tie under the chin. It is an excellent project for knitters who are ready to move beyond the very basics and want to explore simple shaping techniques in a practical, wearable accessory.

Who This Pattern Is For

The pattern is rated Beginner / Improving, making it an ideal stepping stone for newer knitters who have mastered casting on, basic knit and purl stitches, and are beginning to explore increases. The downloadable PDF format means the pattern is available instantly, ready to print or use on a device.

Sizes Available

The Lottie Hood is sized to fit three age ranges, making it a versatile pattern for gifting or making multiples:

• 6–12 months
• 12–24 months
• 36–48 months

Stitch counts are given throughout the pattern in the format small (medium: large), so knitters simply follow the number relevant to their chosen size.

Materials Required

The pattern calls for a small quantity of yarn, making it an economical make:

• Yarn: Two 50g / 1¾oz balls of MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran in Cherry Red (242). MillaMia Naturally Soft Aran is a smooth, machine-washable yarn well suited to children's accessories, offering both softness against delicate skin and durability through frequent washing.
• Needles: Three 5mm (US 8) knitting needles. The use of three needles suggests that seaming or a three-needle approach is involved in finishing the hood's top shaping.
• Notions: 80cm / 31½ inches of narrow ribbon for the ties that fasten the hood beneath the chin, adding a sweet, decorative finish.

Tension and Gauge

The recommended tension is 19 stitches and 25 rows to 10cm / 4 inches measured over stocking stitch using 5mm (US 8) needles. Checking tension before beginning is always advisable, particularly on a fitted item like a hood where the sizing needs to be accurate for a comfortable fit around a child's head and face.

Techniques Used

The Lottie Hood is worked flat on straight or double-pointed needles, meaning it is knitted back and forth in rows rather than in the round. The construction is straightforward and introduces a handful of key techniques:

• Ribbing / textured border: The hood begins with a rib-like textured band worked in a repeating pattern of knit and purl stitches, specifically a sequence of k5, [p4, k4] to create a neat, structured edge that frames the face.
• Stocking stitch (stockinette): The main body of the hood is worked in classic stocking stitch — knit on right-side rows, purl on wrong-side rows — creating a smooth, even fabric.
• Top shaping with increases (m1): The top of the hood is shaped using make one (m1) increases worked symmetrically on either side of a central stitch panel. This gradual increase sequence — adding two stitches every right-side row — creates the rounded, fitted crown of the hood. This is an excellent introduction to simple directional shaping for improving knitters.

Stitches Used

• Knit stitch (k)
• Purl stitch (p)
• Stocking stitch / stockinette (st st) — knit on RS, purl on WS
• Make one increase (m1) — used during top shaping
• Textured