Closing up Shop

With a heavy heart I have decided to close up shop and take down this blog.  Dealing with people who want to complain about minor things (like photo clarity!) on free patterns has sucked the fun out of writing and sharing patterns.

If you use any of my patterns regularly please copy and paste into a word processing document before June 1st.  After that time you may not be able to access the patterns.

I look forward to going back to enjoying crochet as a hobby!

The "Creeper" Hat Pattern

I made this hat for my son a few weeks ago after he saw a rather expensive knit version on a popular retail site.  He is a HUGE Minecraft fan and loves green so this was right up his alley.  I finished it a little over 2 weeks ago and he has since taken to wearing it both inside and outside!!!!

Please note the base hat pattern is not mine and I am simply providing instructions on how to add this design to the base hat.  I recommend this hat because all the hats I have made with it have turned out awesome and it is made with sc which is necessary for the "creeper" design to look right.   The basic hat pattern can be found here: http://chiescrochetandknitting.blogspot.com/2005/11/very-simple-skateboarder-beanie.html

She offers tips on how to make it larger and smaller.  For mine I used Red Heart Super Saver in spring green and in black.

How to add the "creeper":

Find the center front 18 stitches of your hat, I just kind of guesstimated but use whatever method you are comfortable with.  For my son I started the design on round 11 of the hat.  You should start the design on whatever round seems appropriate to the size hat you are making therefore I am numbering this pattern starting with round 1 as it will be round 1 of the design area).  I recommend starting the design a couple rows after stopping the increase rounds of the hat (once you work only 1 sc in each stitch).

Round 1: work green stitches until you reach the 18 stitches in the center front of the hat.  Work 6 sc in black, 6 sc in green, and 6 sc in black. Finish the round in green.

Rounds 2-5:  repeat round 1.

Round 6:  Work in green until you reach the end of the back from the prior row, work 6 black stitches in the green stitches that fell between your two black squares (the 'eyes').  Finish the round in green.

Rounds 7-8: Repeat round 6

Round 9: Work green stopping 3 stitches before the black of round 8.  Change to black and work 12 black sc.  Finish round in green.

Rounds 10-12: Repeat round 9.

Round 13:  Start black in same spot as prior round working only 3 sc in black, change to green and work 6 sc, change to black and work 3 sc, finish round in green.

Rounds 14-15: Repeat round 23.

Finish hat in all green.

Preemie Sized Super Variation Beanie Pattern (featuring The Bunny Hat)

This is a preemie sized (11-12" circumference) hat that I designed after The Preemie Project (www.thepreemieproject.com) put out a call for Easter and spring themed hats.  I found other patterns but the ears were made in the round which made them quite heavy, not really appropriate for such tiny babies.  This one is simple and easy with no frills.  Make them up in every pastel color imaginable and donate away to your local NICU!!!

I am also including several variations that use the basic beanie hat the bunny ears are attached to.  I bore easily and these variations keep me exciting to be making these hats.  If I'm going to reach my goal of donating 100 hats this year I have to keep it interesting!!!

As with all my free patterns you are welcome to use your finished items for any purpose you wish.  Please do not reproduce or sell this pattern and take your own photos, mine aren't that great anyways!

Materials:  Size H crochet hook (G for smaller preemies, I for larger preemies), a little over 1 oz of light worsted weight yarn (I used Caron Simply Soft), tapestry needle for weaving ends and attaching the ears.

Notes: Pattern is written in standard US crochet terms.  Beginning chains do not count as stitches throughout the pattern.

Basic Hat

Ch 2 does not count as a stitch throughout the pattern

Round 1: Start with a Magic Circle, ch 2 and work 10 dc in the magic circle, pull tight and sl st to 1st dc. (10 dc)

Round 2: Ch 2, work 2 dc in each st around, joing with a sl st to the 1st dc. (20 dc)

Round 3: Ch 2, work 1 dc in the same st as the ch 2, *work 2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the following st*, repeat from * to * around, join to first dc with a sl st. (30 dc)

Round 4: Ch 2, work 2 dc in the same st as the ch 2, *work 1 dc in the next 5 st, work 2 dc in the following st*, repeat from * to * around, join with a sl st to the first dc. (35 dc)

Rounds 5-8: Ch 2, work 1 dc in each st around joining with a sl st to the first dc. (35 dc)

Round 9: Ch 1, work 1 sc in each st around joinging with a sl st to the first sc. (35 sc) Fasten off and weave in the end.

Ears (make 2)

The ch at the beginning of each row does not count as a st. Crocheting tightly will give you and ear that is stiff enough for you to mold the shape a bit which gives you some versatility with the finished look.

Row 1: Ch 5, turn and sc in 2nd ch and each ch accross. (4 sc)

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st accross. (4 sc)

Row 3: Ch 1, work 2 sc, sc sc, 2 sc. (6 sc)

Row 4-6: Ch 1, sc in each st accross. (6 sc)

Row 7: Ch 1, sc2tog, sc, sc, sc2tog. (2 sctog and 2 sc)

Row 8: Ch 1, sc in each st. (4 sc)

Row 9: Ch 1, sc2tog twice (2 sc2tog)

Row 10: Ch 1, sc2tog (1 sc2tog)

Row 11: Ch 1, sc. (1 sc)

Sc in down the side of the ear, sl st accross the bottom (the starting ch), and sc up the other side of the ear joining at the top of the ear with a sl st. Fasten off and weave in the ends.

Using a 12" length of yarn and the tapestry needle sew each ear to the top of the hat through the sl st on the bottom of the ears. I position on the top just outside of round 2 of the hat but place wherever you think is visually appealing.

Other Variations: This basic hat pattern is super versatile and is my go-to pattern for making charity hats.

Pom-pom hat: Add a pom of any size to the top, I especially like to do a two color pom and use the contrast color as the sc edging (row 9)

Striped Hat: switch yarn colors every other row. The example in the photo is worked in the colors of our local college (go Hawkeyes!)

Thick Thin Stripes: Use two colors of yarn, use one color for two rows then the other for one, keep switching back and forth in this manner.

Football Hat: Work rows 2 and 8 in a contrast color, Use a long piece of the contrast color and a tapestry needle to embroider laces onto the finished hat.

Shelly Edged: On row 9 work a sc, hdc, dc, hdc, sc pattern around joining with a sl st to the first sc.

Embellished Hat: Work hat or shelly edged version and add an applique or other embellishment such as a shabby flower.

Colin's Snakes and Snails Preemie Hat

This preemie pattern is designed with some special touches just for the boys!  A modified grit stitch section gives the hat some much needed texture, while a reverse single crochet edging gives a little rope like detailing to the bottom.  I have named this hat for my nephew Colin, who along with his twin sister, Shelby, was born quite premature.  He is now an almost 6 year old full of life and vigor, for that my family is eternally grateful!

This pattern is free for your personal, charitable, or small home business use but please do not sell or reproduce this pattern in any way.  Any photos on my blog are the property of me, or used with permission, as such they are copyrighted and you may NOT use them without written permission.

Materials: H hook, Caron Simply Soft yarn or similar light worsted weight yarn (about 1 oz), tapestry needed (for weaving in ends). 

Notes: Pattern is written in standard American crochet terms. Ch 1 does not count as a stitch on the hdc rows. The finished hat has a circumference of 11.5"-12", use a G hook if making for a smaller preemie or an I hook for a larger preemie.

Instructions:

Round 1: Use a magic circle, Ch 1 and work 8 hdc in the magic circle. (8 hdc)

Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st. (16 hdc)

Round 3: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in same st as chain, 1 hdc in next st. *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next st.* Repeat from * to * around joining to first hdc with a sl st. (24 hdc)

Round 4: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in same st as ch, 1 hdc in next 2 st. *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next 2 st.* Repeat from * to * around joining with sl st to first hdc. (32 hdc)

Round 5: Ch 1, *work 1 sc and 1 dc in next st, skip next st*. Continue from * to * around hat joining with a sl st to the beginning ch 1.

Round 6-11: Turn piece, ch 1, work dc in same st as ch 1. Work 1 sc and 1 dc in each sc of the prior round skipping the last sc of the round. Join to beginning ch with a sl st.

Round 12: Ch 1 (does not count as a st), work 1 hdc in each st around joining to the first hdc.

Round 13: Ch 1, reverse sc around hat joining with a sl st to the starting ch. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Ben's Button Flap Preemie Hat

Photo used with permission of Teri Diamond of Diamond Crochet

This versatile preemie sized hat is named for the son of one of my favorite photographers.  He and his twin sister were both born prematurely but have grown to be happy healthy kiddos!  This had measures about 10.5" around perfect for a small preemie.  To make for a larger preemie or a newborn simply increase your hook size up to an I.

Materials Needed:
Size H crochet hook (5.0 mm), about 1 oz of soft light worsted weight yarn (I like to use Caron Simply Soft), tapestry needle, scissors, sewing thread, sewing needle, and a button (anywhere from 1/2" to 1" in size)

Notes: This pattern uses US crochet terms.  

This pattern is free for use however you wish but please do not sell or reproduce the actual pattern itself and please use your own photos as all photos in this pattern are the property of Crafty Kate Going Crazy or Diamond Crochet.

copyright Teri Diamond

Round 1: Use a magic circle, Ch 1 and work 8 hdc in the magic circle. (8 hdc) See the photos below to see how to make a magic circle. There are many great tutorials out there if you need further help on making a magic circle.

create a circle by putting end of yarn under the rest of the yarn as shown

Use your hook to pull a loop through and do a sl st

Make 8 hdc around the magic circle

Pull on the loose end of the thread that is under the circle

Once the circle is tight with no hole in the middle join to the first hdc with a sl st.

Round 2: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in each st. (16 hdc) I work these over the loose tail from the magic circle just so I have less weaving in to do later!

Round 3: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in same st as chain, 1 hdc in next st. *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next st.* Repeat from * to * around joining to first hdc with a sl st. (24 hdc)

Round 4: Ch 1, work 2 hdc in same st as ch, 1 hdc in next 2 st. *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next 2 st.* Repeat from * to * around joining with sl st to first hdc. (32 hdc)

Rounds 5-8: Ch 1, work 1 hdc in each st around joining to first hdc with a sl st. (32 hdc)

Round 9: Ch 1, work 1 hdc in each st around and join to first hdc with a sl st.

Begin Flap: Ch 13. Turn and hdc in 2nd ch from the hook. Work 1 hdc in each ch. These hdc will be round 10 of the flap so simply continue with round 10.

copyright Teri Diamond

copyright Teri Diamond

Round 10: Work 1 hdc in each st around joining to 1st hdc with a sl st (do not work any more st on the flap this round)

Round 11: Ch 1, work 1 hdc in each st around continuing up the flap to the end of the flap. Ch 1 and turn. Work back down the flap with a sl st in each stich. Join to 1st hdc of the round with a sl st.

Round 12: Ch 1, sc around joining to first sc with a sl st. Finish off and weave in ends.

Lay flap flat and sew on button through the flap and hat securing well. This will hold the flap in place and attach the button in one step.

Have fun making this and choosing your buttons!!!  It's amazing how versatile this hat can be with your color choice and button choice.  My favorite?  Homemade wood buttons made from a HUGE ash tree branch that landed on my roof during a storm last summer.  Lemons into lemonade!

Butterfly Kisses Preemie Hat

This hat is worked using an H hook and a small amount of Caron Simply Soft Yarn.  The finished circumference is about 10" so you can adjust to a smaller or larger size by using a different sized hook or a lighter or heavier weight yarn.  Add any adornment that you wish, I chose a fabric and bead applique.  Whatever you choose make sure that you secure it well for safety reasons.

Note: This pattern is in done in American crochet terms.

Begin with a magic circle or chain 4 and join with a sl st to make a ring.  
 
Round 1: ch 1, work 8 hdc into your magic circle or starting ring.  Join with a sl st to your 1st hdc. Ch 1.  (8 hdc)
Round 2: work 2 hdc in each st around joining with a sl st to the 1st hdc. Ch 1.  (16 hdc) 
Round 3: work 1 hdc in the same st as the sl st. *2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next st.*  Repeat from * to * to end of round joining with a sl st to the first hdc.  Ch 1.  (24 hdc) 
Round 4: work 1 hdc in the same st as the sl st and in the next st.  *2 hdc in the next st, 1 hdc in the next 2 st.*  Repeat from * to * to end of the round joining to the first hdc with a sl st.  (32 hdc)
Round 5-8: Ch 3 (counts as first dc).  Work one dc in same st as ch 3.  2 dc in next st, skip 2dc.  *2 dc in next 2 st, skip 2 st.*  Repeat from * to * to end of the round joining with a sl st to top of the ch 3.  (32 dc)
Round 9-10: Ch 1.  Work 1 sc in each st around joining with sl st to the ch 1.  Finish off at the end of round 10.  

Weave in loose ends and attach adornment of your choice.

This pattern is free to use however you choose to make finished items.  However you may not reproduce and sell the actual pattern itself.  If you wish to link to the pattern you may but please use a link and do not copy and paste to any other site.

Pattern inspired by the Abbey Hat and altered with permission of Diamond Crochet.  Please check her wonderful patterns and finished items at www.facebook.com/Diamond Crochet.  You can find the Abbey Hat in preemie size here.

This pattern is untested so please let me know if you find any errors!!!!

Abbreviations used:
sl st - slip stitchch - chain
hdc - half double crochet
dc - double crochet
sc - single crochet
st - stitch