Baby Hat - 2 Ways

Who ever said Spring was the time for babies to be born never met the mothers I know.  But it is true that it does seem to come in waves, this 'so many babies being born all at once thing.' Every so often there are a whole lot of multiple births for which to knit, and all within the space of a couple of months it seems.  Hats are my go to project for babies (or rather: the parents).  Quick and easy, and unless you live in the Mojave desert, a necessity; hey, no, I'm wrong... even the desert gets cold at night.

A couple of years ago I came upon a blogger's Baby Hat with Mouse ears pattern and I hit pay dirt. http://tootsieknits.blogspot.ca/2010/10/infant-mouse-hat.html?zx=751be831c3671eca
It is a simple, straight-forward, well-designed infant hat.  With a little added surprise of fun (EARS!)

The first hat of this pattern that I ever knit was for Michelle.  I chose brown and we called it a Baby Bear hat.  I didn't double knit/embroider the inner ear.... rather, I crocheted the outer edges of the ears with a light weight varigated kid mohair (from Crystal Palace * thanks, Beryl!). It was perfect.  See an off-white (ecru) 100% mercerized cotton version above.  Many hats have been knit in the interim, but recently, when Michelle announced she was expecting again, it was obvious that another hat needed to be produced. (Actually, to be frank, her belly proclaimed it before she did) "With ears!" Michelle insisted.   think, think, think..... another bear or mouse hat????  Nope. Too expected.

Michelle always called my little guy "Ketzelleh" (a yiddish endearment, similar to calling someone "pussycat")... Michelle is now an SK teacher and I have it on good authority that she calls all her little SKers 'ketzelleh'. Hence, a Ketzelleh hat!

Why ears? What is our fascination with children wearing animal ears?  Michelle and I discussed this.... Apparently, unless you mock your infant child with novelty animal ears.... you're just not trying hard enough!  Ears = Love.  Seriously?  It would seem: Yes.