Easy baby bear hat and mittens set

I'm still a bit of a knitting novice, but I'm learning that even the basics will take you quite far with a bit of imagination. What I'm lacking in technical ability I try to make up for with a few finishing touches. To make this hat and mittens set all you need to know is how to cast on, knit, pearl, decrease and the rest is all simple applique.

To make a small baby size I used 5 1/2 mm knitting needles and double knitting variegated yarn.

Hat:

Cast on 56 sts. Work in stocking stitch for 22 rows. Then begin to shape the crown.
1. Knit 1, *k 4, k2tog* rep from * 9 times, end knit 1. (47 sts.)
2. Pearl
3. Knit 1, *k 3, k2tog* rep from * 9 times, end knit 1. (38 sts.)
4. Pearl
5. Knit 1, *k 2, k2tog* rep from * 9 times, end knit 1. (29 sts.)
6. Pearl
7. Knit 1, *k2tog* rep from * 7 times, end knit 1. (16 sts.)
8. *Pearl 2tog* across entire row. (8 sts.)

Leave your remaining sts on your needle cut the yarn with a long tail. Use a tapestry needle to draw the end of the yarn through the remaining sts as you remove them from the needle. Pull tightly and sew the two edges together to finish.

Ears (make 2):

Cast on 21 sts and knit 3 rows. Cut yarn leaving a long and draw through remaining sts with a tapestry needle. Pull tightly and knot to secure. Keep the tail to help secure the ears to the hat.
Finish by sewing a circle of felt to the centre of the ears. Use a contrasting colour and sew in place with a blanket stitch.

Sew the ears in place with the remaining tail of wool, sewing back and front to make them secure. Sew on top of the hat to create a bear, or on the sides to make a monkey!

Mittens (make 2):

Cast on 20 sts.
1. *k2, p2* rep from* 5 times. Do this for 5 rows.
2. Work in stocking stitch for 12 rows.
3. Knit 1, *k4, k2tog* rep from * 3 times, end knit 1. (17 sts.)
4. Pearl
5. Knit 1, *k3, k2tog* rep from * 3 times, end knit 1. (14 sts.)
6. Pearl
7. Knit 1, *k2, k2tog, rep from * 3 times, end knit 1. (11 sts.)
8. Pearl

Cut your yarn leaving a long tail. Draw through remaining sts with a tapestry needle, pull tightly and then use the tail to sew the edges of the mitten together.

To create a paw pattern use small circles of felt in a contracting colour. Sew in place with a blanket stitch. And you're done!

This set is going to a friend of mine whose hand-made baby shower I'll be attending next week. Hopefully they well be well-received.

Thank you for reading, and good luck in your crafts this week!

The Lucky Ladybird x