In recent days I’ve been having some mindless experimentation with my Penny Candy Hat pattern, designed in worsted-weight wool as a gauge tester for Penny Candy Winter.  The thing is,  the smallest size, though fine for a bigger baby or small toddler,  is too big for a newborn, so,  I’ve been trying out gauges & sizes with finer weights of yarn and smaller needles while thinking about babies.

Using superwash sock yarn, worked with 2.75mm – US2 needles for the lace, and 3.25 – US3 needles for the crown I’ve arrived at a gauge of 7 stitches to the inch. Here is the smallest of the four sizes,  77-stitch cast-on size:  Measures an itsy bitsy 10.75″ circumference by 4.75″ tall …

Here is the bigger of two smallest sizes, 88 stitches cast on, and measures 13″ circumference by 5.75″ tall (oh, and with only 2 lace repeats)…..

Details of both hats on Ravelry here

In same yarn & gauge, I estimate that the 99-stitch size would likely be approx. 13″ in circumference  and 6″ tall.

I have entertained the idea of coming up with a baby sweater in Penny Candy design, but I must say, I am not exactly sure about how to go about it. I have thought sport-weight superwash Merino wool would be best, but wonder should it be a cardigan ( probably seamless in 1 piece, and worked flat (back and forth), or just a pullover and not fuss with all of that.  What do you think?