Cait’s Messy Bun Hat

Cait’s Messy Bun Hat

This is a fairly simple pattern and an advanced beginner could probably make it in an hour or two.  Don’t be intimidated by the front post stitches.  There are a lot of good online instructions that can teach you how to do them. You can even leave them out, although you won’t get the ribbed look to the cuff if you do that.  This pattern can also be used to make a hat without the hole in the top.  Instructions for that appear at the bottom of the pattern.

Materials needed:

WW yarn

Size H crochet hook 

Covered rubber band (the kind you would use for a ponytail on your hair)

Stitches Used:

Ch-chain

Sc - single crochet

Ss-slip stitch

Dc-double crochet

HDC-half double crochet 

FPHDC-front post half double crochet 

Notes:

This hat has a lot of stretch.  Mine had a 20 inch circumference around the cuff, and was between 7.5 and 8 inches high, measuring from the bottom of the cuff to the rubber band.  It stretched to easily fit my head, even though I actually designed it for my young teen great niece.

It is reversible, the cuff looks ribbed on one side and has horizontal ridges on the other side.

I crochet loosely, but you can add extra increase rows if you crochet tightly.  Likewise, you can easily add length if needed. 

Except for round 1, the beginning ch 2 counts as a double crochet. You can use a ch 3 here if you prefer.  When I use a ch 3, I get a gap. 

This hat is made in rounds with the first round crocheted onto the rubber band.  This allows the top of the hat to fit snuggly around the hair.

The ch 2 at the beginning of rounds counts as a stitch, unless stated otherwise.

Pattern:

Round 1:  attach yarn to rubber band with a slip knot, chain 2, (in this round the ch 2 does not count as a stitch), make 24 double crochet stitches worked into the rubber band. Join with ss to first dc.  (24 stitches)

Round 2:  chain 2, ( counts as first dc. ( you may prefer to chain 3 rather than 2), 2 dc in next stitch, *1 dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch*, repeat the directions between the *’s to the end of the round, join to top of beginning ch 2 with a ss. (You have added an extra stitch in every other stitch for a total of 36 stitches) 

If you want your hat to be a little larger, add an increase round here by adding a stitch in every third stitch. (You would end up with 48 stitches). The rest of the stitch counts will be different if you choose this option). If you think you need still another increase row, increase in every fourth stitch around. You would then have 60 stitches before you start round 3.

Round 3:  ch 2, 2 dc in same stitch, skip one stitch, *3 dc in next stitch, skip one stitch*, repeat the directions between the *’s around, join with ss into top of beginning ch 2. (You are placing three dc in every other stitch. (52 dc)

Rounds 4-9:    Ss to Center dc of first dc group. Ch 2, 2 dc in same stitch, 3 dc in the center stitch of each dc group from the previous row, join to top of beginning ch 2 with a ss. (52 stitches)

(If you want more length do more repeats of rounds 4 to 9)

Round 10:  ch 2, HDC in each stitch around, join around post of beginning ch 2. (52 stitches)

Round 11 to 13:   Ch 3, FPHDC around the post of each stitch in the previous row.  Join to top of the beginning ch 3 with a ss.

(If you want a wider cuff, add more of these rounds.  If you hate FP stitches, just do regular HDC.  Crocheting around the post gives the cuff a ribbed look.)

Row 14: ch 1, turn. ( this is the only time in this pattern that you turn. You will work this round in the opposite direction of the other rounds and you will likely wish to turn the hat inside out to do this one.) 

Sc in same stitch as the joining stitch and sc around. Join with ss in the first sc. 

Finish off by weaving in yarn ends.

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Variation:

If you wish to use this pattern to make a regular hat, you can also do that.  You won’t need the covered rubber band.

To start, chain 4, join with a ss to make a ring.  Ch 2 (doesn’t count as a stitch here, but does in the next row.), and work 12 into the ring. Join with a ss into top of beginning dc.  (12 dc) 

Second round, chain 2, dc in same stitch, 2 dc in each stitch around, join with a slip stitch into the beginning ch 2. (24 dc)

Proceed with messy bun hat pattern, starting with round 2.

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Ribbed Headband with Flower Trim

This is so easy that you still have time to make one of these for Christmas.  I made this one is just a little over an hour.

WW yarn (I used Bernat Special Value yarn)
J hook
Yarn needle
Large button (optional)

Stitches used:
Ch (Chain)
DC (Double crochet)
HDC (Half double crochet)
FPDC (Front post double crochet)
BPDC (back post double crochet)
TC (Triple Crochet)

Even if you have never done post stitches before, you should be able to make this headband.  Here is a link to an article from Crochet Today that explains how to do post stitches, and shows some of the lovely effects that can be achieved with them.   (If you Google front or back post stitches, you'll find lots more tutorials for these stitches.)

Size: 4 inches wide by approximately 18 inches in diameter.
Can easily be modified to make larger or smaller.

My headband is worked quite loosely so it is somewhat lacy in appearance.  Using a smaller hook and working more tightly will create a more solid headband.  You will need more rows to get enough length, and  a longer beginning chain to make it as wide as mine.  The pattern works with any uneven number of DCs in the first row.  The stitch pattern could also be used to make a ribbed scarf.

Chain 15 fairly loosely.
1st row:  DC in 3rd chain from hook and in each chain across. (13 DC) (Ist two chain count as a DC in this row.)
2nd row:  Chain 2, (counts as first HDC here and throughout rest of pattern), turn, *FPDC in next stitch, HDC in next stitch* repeat from * to *  to end of row, working last HDC into the turning chain. (7 HDC's and 6 FPDC's)
3rd row:  Chain 2, turn, *BPDC in next stitch, HDC in next stitch*, repeat from * to * across, working last HDC into the turning chain

Notes:  Each row has 13 stitches in it.
You will always BPDC into the previous rows FPDC and vice versa.  All HDCs are made into the HDCs of the previous rows.
Repeat rows 2 and 3 until headband is long enough to fit around your head snugly. (I did 32 rows, all worked loosely, and my headband was about 18 inches long before I sewed the ends together.) Sew ends together.

Flower trim:

Chain 4, join with slip stitch to form a ring.  *Chain 3, slip stitch into ring to form a loop*.  Repeat from * to * 6 or 7 more times, making chain 3  loops around the outside of the ch 4 ring.  (each loop will form a petal, and you can make any number of petals, I made 7)
Once you have your  loops made, you will stitch into the loops to form petals.
Into each loop do:  1 SC, 2 HDCs, 2 DCs, 1 TC, 2 DCs, 2 HDCs, 1 SC .  This will form a petal.  In between each petal I slip stitched into the area between each loop, but I don't think this is necessary.

Sew flower to headband, using it to hide the area where you joined the ends.  If desired sew a button to the center of the flower.

Alternatively, a row of large buttons or a felt flower would also be an effective and attractive way to hide the seam.  (or maybe your sewing is better than mine and your seam looks good and doesn't need hiding!)

A couple of finished projects

I finished both of these projects this week.  Unfortunately neither of them were in that list of UFOs I posted earlier this year, so that list is still not shrinking.
Hat pattern is here.  The tote is called Stash Buster tote and the pattern is available for purchase at Ravelry.
The hat is made from Vanna's in beige, and the tote is the same beige and "I Love this Yarn" in high meadow ombre.  The yarn was leftover from the Bernat Mystery afghan.  I used a G hook for the hat and a K for the tote.

More finished Projects

I am still using up that lilac Caron pounder.  I used an H hook for all three projects.  (And there is still yarn left....)
The dress pattern is here.  I didn't use a pattern for the hat and booties.  As usual these items will be donated.

Shell Baby Hat

Shell Baby Hat

Size 3 to 6 months

Materials:

WW Yarn

Size G hook

Stitches Used:

Ch - chain

Ss - slip stitch

Hdc - half double crochet

Dc - double crochet

Shell – 3 dc in same space

Beginning ch of each round counts as a stitch.

Join each round with a ss in top of the beginning chain.

Round 1:

Ch 4, 11 Dc in 4^th ch from hook, join with ss to top of beginning ch. (12 DC)

Round 2:

Ch 3, Dc in same st , 2 dC on each st around., join with ss to top of beginning ch 3 (24 DC)

Round 3:

Ch 3, + 2 Dc in next st, DC in next st + repeat from + to+ , 1 more Dc in same st as beginning ch 3, join with ss to top of beginning ch 3. (36 DC)

Round 4:

Ch 3 and Dc in each st around, join with SS in top of beginning ch 3. (36 DC)

Round 5:

(this row still increases the diameter of the hat.)

SS to next st, ch 3, 2 more DC in same st, + skip a stitch, 3 DC in next st +, repeat from + to + around, join with SS in top of beginning ch 3. (18 shells, each with 3 DC)

Round 6 to 12

SS to the center st of the next 3 DC group, do 3 DC in center stitch of each shell around.

Round 13:

Ch 2, HDC in next st and in each st around.

Fasten off.

Notes: You can easily make this hat bigger by adding some extra stitches in row 4.

Remember that row 5 increases the number of stitches again by 1/3, so don't add too many stitches. You need an even number of stitches in row 4 to make the pattern work.

You could also make the hat larger just by using a larger hook.

Add extra rows of shells to make hat taller.

If you want a turned up cuff add a few more rows of Hdc at the end.

Pattern is untested, except by myself. Please let me know if something is unclear, or you find a mistake.
You may sell one or two items made from this pattern, but you may not sell the pattern or publish it anywhere else. Please link to the pattern if you post a picture elsewhere.

Peek-a-Boo Hat and Scarf Set

Fits 4-6 year old

Hat:

Finished size: 18 inches around at cuff, 7 inches from bottom of cuff to crown.

This hat is stretchy and can easily be made larger by using a larger hook. It can also be made taller by repeating row 7.

Materials:

2 ½ 0z Lion brand Pound of Love

H (5.0 mm) hook

Stitches:

Ch (chain)

Dc (double crochet)

Ss (slip stitch)

FPDC Front post double crochet

Hat is worked in rounds, starting at top.

Chain 4, join to first chain with a ss to form a ring,

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as first dc here and throughout), 9 dc in ring, join to top of first ch 3 with ss (10 stitches)

Round 2: Ch 3, dc in same stitch, dc in each stitch around, join to top of first ch 3 with ss (20 stitches) You are increasing in each stitch

Round 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next stitch, * dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch* repeat from * to * around, join to top of first ch 3 with ss (30 stitches) You are increasing in every other stitch.

Round 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, * dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next st* repeat from * to * around, join to top of beginning ch 3 with ss (40 stitches) You are increasing in every third stitch.

Round 5: Ch 3, dc in next 2 stitches, 2 dc in next st, * dc in next 3 st, 2 dc in next st* repeat from * to * around, join with ss in top of beginning ch 3. (50 stitches) You are increasing in every fourth stitch

Round 6: Ch 3, dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next st, * dc in next 4 stitches, 2 dc in next st*, repeat from * to * around, join in top of beginning ch 3 with ss (60 stitches) You are increasing in every fifth stitch.

Round 7: Ch 3, Dc in each st around, join to top of beginning ch 3 with ss (60 stitches)

Round 8: Ch 3, 2 dc in same st, skip 2 stitches, *3 dc in next st, skip next 2 stitches* repeat from * to * around, ending with sk 2 stitches, join to top of beginning ch 3 with ss

Round 9-13: repeat rows 7 and 8, ending with row 7.

Row 14: ch 3 , FPDC around post of next st, * dc in next st, FPDC around post of next st* repeat from * to * around, ending with FPDC around post of last st. , Join with ss to top of beginning ch 3.

Round 15: ch 1, sc in each stitch around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Scarf:

Finished size: mine is 5 inches wide by 54 inches long

Scarf can be made any size by adjusting starting chain and number of rows

Pattern requires multiple of 3 stitches plus 2

Materials:

Lion brand Pound of Love (amount depends on size)

J (6.0mm) hook

Gauge: unimportant

Stitches used:

FDC (Foundation double crochet) (or alternatively you could make a chain and dc into it)

Sc (single crochet)

Dc (double crochet)

Ch (chain)

Row 1: FDC 158 stitches (or ch 160 st, dc into 3^rd ch from hook and into each chain for total of 158 dc)

Row 2: Ch 3, turn, (Counts as first dc here and throughout), skip next st, 3 dc in next st, * skip 2 stitches, 3 dc in next st* repeat from * to * until you have 2 st left, skip a stitch and dc into top of last DC

Row 3: ch 3, turn, dc across (158 st)

Row 4-7: Repeat rows 2 and 3, ending with row 3

Do not fasten off: Work edging:

*(sc, ch1, sc) in corner, place 2 sc in end of each row of short end of scarf, (sc,ch1,sc) in corner, sc in each stitch of long side of scarf* repeat from * to * once more, join to beginning sc with ss. Fasten off and work in ends.

Pattern is untested, except by myself. Please let me know if something is unclear, or you find a mistake.
You may sell items made from this pattern, but you may not sell the pattern or publish it anywhere else. Please link to the pattern if you post a picture elsewhere.