Knitted "Shaken Baby Syndrome Purple Hats"

One of my virtual knit/crochet friends shared with several of us, knitters, a link (see below) about donating purple hats for Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS). Further more, I found an article that talks about the science behind SBS - click HERE if you'd like to read it. It's quite a fascinating read about what happens to a shaken baby, supplied with images.
The color of the hat is purple because it represents the abbreviation for "period of P.U.R.P.L.E. crying." Watch THIS  EXCELLENT VIDEO to understand this crying period, which is explained by Dr. Ron Barr, a world expert on infant crying.
THIS VIDEO explains more about SBS and how to prevent it.

Articles, videos, and P.U.R.P.L.E. hats could help parents to prepare for this difficult time, especially new parents whose babies are more vulnerable. Some children never cry, some cry a little, some cry a lot. And parents of infants that cry a lot will have to train themselves to have a lot of patience.
The purple hat, if worn by a child, could remind parents to stay "calm" when frustrated, and find ways how to deal with the situation. If you know of any new parents, share the links above with them and knit a purple hat as a gift.

I decided to knit few hats for the cause mentioned above. See a couple of links below for places that need P.U.R.P.L.E. hats. I hear that hats should be preferably unisex, from relatively soft yarn (not to scratch babies' skin), hats must fit newborn babies, and they should be minimum 50% purple.

For visual knitters, I made a video of a simple hat (for my right-handed video click HERE and if you are a left-handed knitter click HERE) so if you prefer knitting along click on these links. I made three hats using three different yarns: a sports yarn (#3 - light weight) for babies, and two types of worsted yarn (#4 - medium weight). All same unisex style to be worn by a boy or a girl.

Places where hats are needed at this time (August 2017) as I write this post:

• Oklahoma (several drop-off towns)
• Providence, Oregon

Abbreviations:
CO - cast on
K - knit
P - purl
DPN - double pointed needles
K2tog - knit 2 stitches together
BO - bind off

Gauge:
My gauge corresponds with a manufacturer's gauge on any yarn label


PATTERN #1 FOR 

Both hats were knitted with same knitting needles

Hat #1 & Hat #2 

Purple Hat #1 from Snuggly Wuggly yarn (Sof Lilac color)

Hat #2 from Shawl in a Ball yarn (Mindful Mauve color - use purple part)

Materials (if you shop, these affiliated links could help fund my projects):

Yarn for Hat #1: about 1/4 ball of Loops & Threads, Snuggly Wuggly; color Soft Lilac; 100% acrylic; 5 oz/141 g; 446yrds/408 m

Yarn for Hat #2: the purple part of Lion Brand; Shawl in a Ball; color: Mindful Mauve; 58% cotton/39% acrylic; 3 % other fiber; 5.3 oz/150 g; 518 yd/473 m; Note: I made 2 hats from one purple part of the yarn; this yarn is surprisingly soft to the touch

Double Pointed Needles or circular needles - size #5 (3.75mm), and #6 (4mm)
Hook - size #D
Yarn Needle (for weaving in the tail)
Scissors

Size:
Circumference: 13"-14"
Height: 6" (without the antennae)


Step-by-Step:

CO 70 sts on #5 (3.75 mm) long (or circular) needles and knit ribbing


PATTERN #2 

For Hat #3

Purple hat #3 - from Caron Cakes (Bumbleberry color)

Caron Cakes worsted yarn #4; Bumbleberry (purple variegated) color; 80% acrylic/20% wool; 7.1 oz/200g; 383 yd/350 m
Double Pointed Needles or circular needles - size #8 (5mm)
Hook - size #F
Yarn Needle (for weaving in the tail)
Scissors

Size:
Circumference: 13"-14"
Height: 5" (without the antennae)


Step-by-Step:

CO 60 sts on long (or circular) needles (5mm)