Sweet Hat with Bow

New pattern for sale on Etsy & Craftsy!  This pattern is easy to follow and produces SUCH a cute result!  Check it out!

Hood Hat

This hat is SO easy, and produces a really cute result!  The girls absolutely love them!  In fact, I made one for Lili and Meili fell in love with it, so I had to make another right away!  Check out those pretty girls!  ;)

Super Duper Easy Hood Hat

Materials:
I Hook

Caron Simply Soft Yarn in your choice of colors (I used Strawberry for one hat, and Passion for another)

and/or

Red Heart Soft Yarn (not shown, but could be used)

and/or

Red Heart Shimmer (I used Pewter in both hats)

Hold 2 strands of yarn together throughout pattern.
Ch 72
R1: Dc in 3rd ch from hook.  Sc in next st.  *1 dc.  1 sc*  Repeat to end of row.  Turn.
R2-20: Ch 2.  *1 dc.  1 sc*  Repeat to end of row.

Stop here to fit a toddler.  Continue to 24 rows for child sizes, 26-28 rows for teen or adult sizes.

At the end of your last row, do not cut your yarn!  Fold your work in half, putting the shorter ends together.  Using your yarn, sc through both sides to attach the sides together, making the hood.

For the braids:

Measure out about 20 strands of yarn to be TWICE the length you want your braids to be.  Using a large crochet hook (or your fingers if you are well coordinated!) and pull the strands through the corner stitch at the bottom of the hood.  The middle of all the strands should be where the crochet stitch is, and you should half equal amounts of yarn on either side.  Put the ends together and braid.  Wrap yarn around the bottom of your braid and tie a knot to hold together.  Trim the ends to make them even if needed.  Repeat on the other side. 

Crochet Lamb Hat

A fun, soft, fluffy hat for Easter and Spring Time!  

Materials:

1 Skein Lion Brand Homespun Yarn in Deco

 K Hook

Yarn Needle

Stitch Markers

Stitches Used:

ch = chain

sc = single crochet

sl st = slip stitch

ps = popcorn stitch (make 5 sc in the same stitch, drop the loop on last stitch, insert hook into 1st sc made in cluster, then put the loop from the last stitch back on the hook, yarn over and pull through both loops)

sc2tog = single crochet 2 together (single crochet decrease)

Notes:

I highly recommend using stitch markers with this project!  The stitches can easily get jumbled up with this project because of the texture of the yarn.  I struggled through this, so save yourself some time and frustration!

Magic Circle (or ch 3 and join with sl st to create circle)
R1: 8 sc in center.  Join with sl st. (8 st)
R2: Ch 1. 2 sc in each stitch.  Join with sl st. (16 st)
R3: Ch 1. *ps.  2 sc in next stitch.* Repeat.  Join with sl st.  (24 st)
R4: Ch 1. *ps in next stitch (will land between 2 ps of prev round).  1 sc. 2 sc in next stitch.  (32 st)
R5: Ch 1. *2 sc.  ps. 1 sc in next 2 st.* Repeat.  Join with sl st.  (40 st)
R6: Ch 1. *ps.  2 sc.  1 sc in next 3 st.*  Repeat.  Join with sl st.  (48 st)
R7: Ch 1. *2 sc.  1 ps. 2 sc. 1 ps. 1 sc.* Repeat.  Join with sl st.  (56 st)
R8: Ch 1. 1 sc *1 ps. 2 sc.* Repeat to last stitch.  2 sc in last stitch.  Join with sl st.  (57 st)
R9: Ch 1. *2 sc.  1 ps.* Repeat to end of round.  Join with sl st.  (57 st)
R10-15: Repeat rounds 8 & 9 to round 15 or to desired length.
R16-18: Sc in each stitch around. (57 st)

Ears:
Ch 11.
R1: Sc into 2nd chain from hook.  1 sc in each chain across.
R2-R7: Ch 1.  Sc in each stitch across.  Turn.
R8:  Ch 1.  Sc2tog.  6 sc.  Sc2tog.  Turn
R9: Ch 1. Sc2tog. 4 sc.  Sc2tog.  Turn.
R10: Ch 1. Sc2tog.  2 sc.  Sc2tog.  Turn.
R11: Ch 1.  Sc2tog.  Sc2tog.  Turn.
SC around the entire ear.  Weave in ends.

To attach ears to hat:
Fold bottom of ear (the long side with two corners) in half, touching corner to corner.  Sew this to the hat, holding the ear flat and sewing through both halves of the hat and the hat.

Fall Lace Hat

I apologize up front for not having a video for the Anthro hat.  Please understand that I am a homeschooling mother of 5 kids, with a full time working/student husband and sometimes it takes up to a week for me to get through a single Etsy order.  So, extra time just doesn't come easily to me!   I also don't have a working digital camera anymore, so I am struggling with figuring out how to get someone to sit still long enough with me to record it with something else.  I tell ya, it's been an eventful few weeks!

Anyway, let's get on to the fun stuff!

Remember the Fall Lace Scarf I posted back in September?  It was a big hit!  It works up quickly and easily and is made with a beautiful yarn!  I sold a few in the Etsy Shop and have received a special request order for a hat to go with the scarf.  Of course, I obliged, and here is what I've come up with! 

I know it's winter now (the snow we had this weekend proves it!), but I kept the names similar so that you easily find the matching set.  

As you can see, the stitch pattern is the same, but now we're working in rounds to create a beanie style hat.  I tried to get a couple of different angles so you can see how the lace looks with the hat on.  Have you ever taken a picture of the top of your head?  Awkward!  :)

My pattern testers (an awesome group of ladies who devoted some time to this pattern last week!) have all come back saying that the hat turned out a little small for them.  It seems like some people said the hat fit for an adult, some said it fit their teens/preteens and one person even said it barely fit her 5 year old!  My apologies for not measuring the gauge as I made the hat.  I'm new to writing patterns for the public and have never paid much attention to gauge before.  I just created what came to mind.  So, I will have to look into that and implement it in the future!  Also, I think that I may stitch a bit looser than some others.  So, for my petite adult head, this pattern worked just fine, but you may want to adjust depending on how tightly you stitch.  I'd recommend adding additional rounds to enlarge the hat.  I will point out where to do that in the pattern.  With that said, here's the pattern.

Fall Lace Hat

Materials:

* H Hook

* Caron Simply Soft yarn in Garnet or Autumn Red (both are beautiful reds, and I've seen that most stores either carry one or the other but rarely both.)

Please Note:
Where the joins occur changes in this pattern!  In some rounds it is in the middle of a chain 3 and in some rounds it is at the top of a stitch.  Pay close attention to the join instructions because this makes up the lace pattern!

Begin with Magic Circle or Ch 4 and join with sl st.

R1: Ch 3. 8 DC in circle.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.

R2: Ch 4 (counts as DC, ch1).  1 DC in same space.  *1 DC, ch 1, 1 DC* in each space around.  Join with sl st in 3rd chain of chain 4.

R3: Sl st and ch 4 (counts as DC, ch 1). 1 DC in same space.  *1 DC, ch1, 1 DC* in each space around.  Join with sl st in 3rd chain of ch 4.

R4: Ch 3 (counts as DC).  1 DC in same space.  2 DC in each ch 1 space around.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.
If you need to increase the size of the hat, you'll need to repeat rounds 3 and 4 to the appropriate size for the person you are creating the hat for.

R5: Sl st in next stitch.  Sl st in space between the posts of the next 2 DC's of previous round.  Ch 4 (counts as DC, ch 1).  1 DC in same space.  *Skip 1 space.  1 DC, ch 1, 1 DC in next space.*  Repeat around.  Join with sl st in 3rd chain of ch 4.

R6: Sl st in ch 1 space.  Ch 3 (counts as DC).  2 DC in same space.  Ch 1.  *3 DC, ch 1* in each ch 1 space around.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3. 

R7: Sl st to the first ch 1 sp.  Ch 4 (counts as DC, ch 1).  DC in same space.  Ch 1.  *Skip 3 st, DC ch1, DC in same stitch.  Ch 1*  Repeat around.  Join with sl st in 3rd chain of ch 4. 

R8: Sl st in 1st ch1 space.  Ch 3 (counts as DC).  2 DC in same space.  *Skip 1 ch space.  3 DC in ch 1.* Repeat around.  Join with sl st in top of ch 3.

R9: Skip first 2 stitches.  Sl st in next stitch (middle DC of 3 DC cluster of previous row).  Ch 4 (counts as DC, ch 1).  1 DC in same stitch.  Skip 2 stitches.  *1 DC, ch 1, 1 DC in next stitch (middle DC of next 3 DC cluster)*.  Repeat to end.  Join with sl st in 3rd chain of ch 4.

R10-R17: Repeat rounds 8 & 9.  Tie off to finish and hide ends.

Happy New Year - Pom Pom Hat

Happy New Year!  Welcome 2012

Were the holidays as busy and crazy for you as they were for me?  Wow!  What an end to the year!  2011 was great, and I am looking forward to a fun and adventurous new year in 2012!

I'm excited to start off the new year with a new pattern!  Sometimes I want an easy hat, but I don't want to do the same old single or double crochet.  I like to mix texture in, and keep things interesting without getting too complicated.  Crochet is supposed to be fun and relaxing, right?  The seed stitch technique lets you have the fun of textured stitches, without being too complicated or making you crazy when you lose your place or forget which stitch you're on!  This hat looks more complicated than it really is!  I'd rate this hat as Easy-Peasy!  ;)

White, Teal & Red Pom Pom Hat

This hat has beautiful colors and is fun to wear!

The combination of stitches makes this fast and easy hat look sophisticated.

Who doesn't love a good pom pom?  ;)

Toddler Sized Pom Pom Hat

Materials:

- H Hook

- Caron Simply Soft Yarn in White, Blue Mint & Autumn Red

- Pom Pom Maker (or cardboard to create one-can come from a simple cereal box)

Special Stitch used:

Seed Stitch: *1 SC, 1 DC* repeated to end of round.  On next round of seed stitch, reverse the order (*1 DC, 1 SC*) so that the DC is made in SC of previous row, and SC is made in DC of previous row.

Begin with White

Chain an even number of stitches.  I did 36, but in hindsight, that was a bit too much for my daughter.  I'd recommend making a chain that extends about 1/2 inch beyond the corners of the head if you were measuring up from the ears.  The foundation chain is the top of the hat.

R1: SC in 2nd ch from hook, and each chain across.  3 SC in last stitch, turning around as you go.  SC in each chain across on the other side (making this into a round).  3 SC in last stitch.  Sl st in first SC made.

R2-R10: Ch 1.  Seed Stitch (will be known as SS throughout the rest of the pattern) around.  Sl st in first stitch made.

R11-R12: Change color to Blue Mint.  Ch 1.  SS around. Sl st in first stitch made.

R13: Change color to White.  Ch 1.  SS around. Sl st in first stitch made.

R14: Change color to Autumn Red.  Ch 1.  SS around. Sl st in first stitch made.

R15:Change color to White.  Ch 1.  SS around. Sl st in first stitch made.

R16-17:Change color to Blue Mint.  Ch 1.  SS around. Sl st in first stitch made.

R18-R20:  Change color to White.  Ch 1.  SS around. Sl st in first stitch made.  Tie off end at the end of last round.

The size of this hat can easily be adjusted as you see fit.  To make larger or smaller, adjust the amount of chains you'll make at the beginning of the pattern (keeping it an even number to allow for the pattern of the seed stitch), and making more o less rows depending on the length desired.

POM POM'S:

For my pom poms, I used a pom pom maker that I picked up at my local craft store for about $5.  I've seen them in JoAnn's, Hobby Lobby and Walmart, and I'm sure you can find them in just about any craft section that is selling yarn and hooks.  They are cheap and easy to use.  Just follow the directions on you pom pom maker (as models vary) and sew them on in the top corners of the hat.

If you don't have a pom pom maker, you can make one using cardboard.  Some people find this easy, so you may want to give it a shot before you run out looking for a pom pom maker!

Take cardboard and cut out 2 donut shapes.  I'd recommend keeping the diameter around 5-6 inches, but the donuts need to be the same size.

You will then hold the two donut shapes together and wrap a length of yarn around the shapes, from the outside of the donut to the center of the donut.  You will end up with what looks like a donut wrapped in yarn.  The amount of yarn you use the wrap it is up to you.  I used 3 strands of yarn, and used a length of yarn that was about 3 feet long.  You don't need to use that much, but keep in mind that the fullness of your pom pom depends on how much yarn you use.  Don't go crazy, but don't skimp out either.

Now you will take a pair of scissors and cut the yarn between the two donuts.  When you have cut all the strands DO NOT PULL THE DONUTS APART!  Leave them close together, take another strand of yarn that is about 10 inches long and wrap it around the center of the strands, between the donut shapes.  Tie it up, then gently pull the shapes apart.  Roll your pompom gently between your hands to fluff it up, then attach to your hat.  :)

In case you'd like to see the technique, here is a video I found on YouTube:

Anthro Inspired Hat

I fell in love with this hat from Anthropologie, and knew I could recreate something similar.

It's no longer available for sale.  But, when it was, it retailed for close to $50.  I couldn't justify spending $50 on a hat, especially a hat that I could figure out how to make for myself!

I would rate this pattern as intermediate, because some parts are a bit tricky.  Feel free to email me if you have questions about this pattern and I'll get back to you ASAP.

Anthro-Inspired Hat

Materials:

*H Hook

*Caron Simply Soft Yarn in Soft Blue (This hat takes less than 1 skein.  In fact, you could probably get two hats from 1 skein!)

*Yarn needle

HAT:

Make a Magic Circle, ch 2.

R1: 8 DC in center.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.

R2: Ch 2.  2 DC, ch 1 between each DC of previous round.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.

R3: Ch 2.  2 DC in same space.  Ch 1.  3 DC in next space.  Ch 1.  *[2 DC, ch1, 2 DC] in next space.  [3 DC, ch 1] in next 2 spaces*  Repeat * - * to end of round.  NOTE: The repeat will not be fully completed at the end of round.  Crochet into each space, but finish the repeat in whatever space you end up in.  For example, in the video I ended rounds 3 and 4 with [2DC, ch 1, 2DC].  Join with sl st in top of first DC.
R4: Sl st in next stitch, and in the next space.  This brings you to the first space of the round.  Repeat R3.

I've added this video to help clarify rounds 3 and 4.  Please let me know if it helps and if there is anything else I can do to help!

R5: Ch 2.  2 DC in same space.  Ch 1.  *3 DC in next space.  Ch 1.*  Repeat *-* to end of round.
R6-7: Repeat R5
R8-11: Ch 2.  2 DC in same space.  *3 DC in next space* Repeat *-* to end of round.
R12: Ch 2.  DC in each stitch around.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.
R13-14: Insert hook from inside of hat to outside of hat in the next space.  Insert hook in next space.  Your hook should now be surrounding the next stitch.

Yarn over and sl st.  Ch 3.  FPTC (Front Post Treble Crochet) around each stitch around.  (To FPTC:  YO twice.  Insert hook around stitch as you just did, from inside of hat to outside, then back inside the hat on the other side of the stitch.  YO and pull up two loops. YO and pull up two more loops.  YO and pull up last loops.)  Join with sl st in top of first FPTC.

R15: Shell Edging:  Ch 2.  6 DC in next stitch.  Skip 1 stitch.  1 SC.  *Skip 1 stitch.  6 DC in next stitch.  Skip 1 stitch.  1 SC.*  Repeat *-* to end of round.  Join with sl st in top of first DC.  Tie off.

 Flower:  Honestly, this is the trickiest part of the hat!  Feel free to sub in whatever kind of flower you like if this turns out to be too confusing.  I explained it as simply as I can, but I just know I'll get emails about this one.  :)

Ch 4.  Join with sl st.
R1: Sl st in center of ring.  *Ch 3.  Sl st in ring.*  Repeat *-* to a total of 4 times.
R2: *Sl st in ch 3 sp.  Ch 2.  5 DC in space.  Sl st in same space.* Repeat in each ch 3 space around.
R3:  Sl st in next space, around chains from first round.  5 TC, sl st in same space.  Ch 3.  Repeat in each space around.
R4:Sl st in next ch space from previous round.  5 TC, sl st in space.  Repeat in each space around.

Tie off and leave a long tail to sew flower onto hat.

V-Puff Hat with Easy Rolled Flower

Materials:

*Red Heart Yarn in Navy and Gold (This hat took about 1/2 skein of navy and just enough Gold to make the flower as big as you want it-I use Red Heart Yarn often for hats and blankets because it's pretty much the only yarn available in my small town.  One thing I don't really like about this yarn is that while working with it, it's really stiff!  However, once you wash it, it becomes soft.    This hat came out just a little big on me, but after a wash, it was fine and became really soft.)

*H Hook

*Yarn Needle

Special Stitches Used:

PS=Puff Stitch (Insert hook, YO and pull up yarn to the same height as a DC or a ch 2.  YO, insert hook again, YO, pull up length of yarn.  YO, insert hook a third time, YO, pull up length of yarn.  YO and pull through all loops on the hook.  Chain 1 to secure.)

Vpuff=PS, ch1, PS

Magic Circle
R1:  *PS, ch 1* Repeat 7 times around.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R2:  Sl st in next 2 stitches, taking you to the chain 1 space.  Sl st in chain sp.  Vpuff in each ch sp around.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R3:  Sl st in next 2 stitches, taking you to the chain 1 space.  Sl st in chain sp.  *Vpuff, PS.* Repeat *-* to end of round.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R4:  Sl st in next 2 stitches, taking you to the chain 1 space.  Sl st in chain sp.  *PS, PS, Vpuff.*  Repeat *-* to end of round.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R5:  Sl st in next 2 stitches, taking you to the chain 1 space.  Sl st in chain sp.  *Skip ch sp, Vpuff*  Repeat to end of round.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R6-R11:  Sl st in chain sp.  Vpuff, *Skip ch sp, Vpuff* Repeat to end of round.  Attach to the top of first PS with sl st.
R12:  Ch 2.  DC in each st around.  Join with sl st in top of first stitch.
R13-14:  Sl st around next DC of previous row.  Ch 3.  FPTC around to end of row.  Join with sl st in top of first stitch.

Easy Rolled Flower

Using Gold Yarn

Chain 60

In every other stitch: SC, DC, TC, DC, SC.

Continue to end of chains.  Sl st in last stitch to finish and then leave a long tail to sew up the flower.  

Roll up the petals, using yarn needle and tail to sew up the flower as you roll up.  If you leave a long enough tail, you can also use that yarn to attach flower to hat.

Silly Spider Earflap Hat

Super fun hat for Halloween!

Materials:

*Red Heart Yarn in white and black

*I Hook

*Yarn needle

*Scissors

Magic Circle (Or ch 4, sl st into first chain to make ring)
R1: 8 DC in ring, ch 2.
R2: 2 DC in each stitch around, ch 2.
R3: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R4: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 2 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R5: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 3 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R6: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 4 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R7: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 5 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R8: *2 DC in first stitch, 1 DC in next 6 stitches.  Repeat around.  Ch 2.
R9-R10: DC in each stitch around.  Ch 2.
R11: DC in each stitch around.  Tie off, weave in ends.

Earflaps (Will make on both sides)
Lay hat flat.  Find center stitch at the bottom of the hat.  This will be the center point of your earflap.  Sometimes I get a little bit of a "seam" at the point of a new round on my hats, so I choose to put this in the back if it bothers me.  This means, when you lay the hat flat, you'll want to have the "seam" to one side.

Count 4 stitches to the right.  This is where you will begin stitching.

Attach yarn to hat with sl st.  Ch 2.
R1: 8 DC.  Ch 2.
R2: DC dec in next 2 stitches.  DC in next 2 stitches.  DC dec in last 2 stitches.  Ch 2.
R3: DC dec in next 2 stitches.  DC in next stitch.  DC dec in last 2 stitches.  Tie off, weave in ends.

Make earflap on opposite side in same fashion.

Switch to black.  SC around the bottom of the hat and earflaps.

Using yarn needle and black yarn, create spiderweb effect.  I used an embroidery stitch, but there are lots of ways to stitch onto the hat!  If you'd like to use the embroidery stitch, here is what I did:

Cut a long length of yarn.  I had to do this several times throughout the process, so don't be nervous about running out because you can just get more.  Insert needle and yarn through the back side of the work, at the top center of the hat and pull through.  Leave a tail on the back side of the yarn to tie off.  Now, insert hook in the same place you just pulled the yarn through.  Begin to pull yarn through, but only enough that you leave a loop on the right side.  Before pulling yarn all the way through, insert hook from back side to where you'd like your next stitch to be, being sure that the needle comes through the loop made in the previous stitch.  Pull up your yarn and the previous stitch will now be anchored, and the next stitch is now begun!

Spider Tassles:
Make Magic Circle (Or ch 3, join with sl st)
8 SC in center of circle.  Join with sl st at top of first SC.  Chain 25 and join to hat with a sl st.  Tie off and weave in ends.