Crochet a Really Simple Hat

My youngest asked me recently to crochet her a hat.  She wanted something simple and warm and in a specific color.  I mentioned this to a friend of mine and she sent me these instructions -- I modified hers just a bit to make it even more simple and to look the way my daughter wanted it to look.  It took me no time at all to make and is simple enough for the very beginning crocheter (is that a word?).

[While searching around for a free pattern online I came across this website which has a lot of Really Helpful Instructions & Tips, even some Helpful Videos, on all kinda of things, crochet included.  Check out the crochet instructions, explanations, and videos here. ]  In the Instructions below I have linked to the pages on this website where you'll find relevant instructions and in some cases a Helpful Video!

Let us know if you make a hat (send us a photo!) or if you have any questions about the instructions.

This is made to fit an adult or teenager and uses up about 2/3 of the skein.  You'll have to size it down a bit for a child's head.

You'll need:

• 1 skein or ball sportweight yarn (I used Vanna's Choice "Oatmeal")
• size H crochet hook
• some kind of stitch marker (I used a small safety pin)
• scissors

Instructions:

Begin with a slip knot on your hook.  Chain 6.  Join the chains with a slip stitch to make a small loop. 

Make 10 single crochets into the center of the loop.  After the 10th one, put the safety pin (stitch marker) to the loop that's on your hook. 

Without doing a slip stitch or anything, make 2 single crochets into each of the 10 stitches you just did so that by the time you get back to your stitch marker, you will have done 20 single crochets.  Move the stitch marker to the loop that is now on your hook. 

For the next four rows, you will add 10 stitches to each row. 

Row 3: Make 1 single crochet into the first stitch, then 2 into the second.  Repeat this pattern 9 times until you are back at your stitch marker and have 30 stitches in that row.  Move the stitch marker to the loop on your hook. . 

Row 4: You're adding 10 more stitches.  Make 1 single crochet into the first stitch, 1 into the second, and 2 into the third.  Repeat that pattern 9 times until you have 40 stitches and are back at your stitch marker.  Move the stitch marker to the loop on your hook. 

Row 5:  Again, you're adding 10 more stitches.  Make 1 single crochet into each of the first three stitches.  Then, in the fourth stitch, do 2 single crochets.  Repeat the pattern 9 times, until you are back at your stitch marker and have 50 stitches.  Move the stitch marker to the loop on your hook.

Row 6: Again, adding 10 stitches.  Make 1 single crochet into each of the first 4 stitches.  Then, in the fifth stitch, do 2 single crochets.  Repeat the pattern 9 more times, until you are back at your stitch marker and have 60 stitches.  The stitch marker can now stay put. 

Row 7 and beyond:  Do one single crochet into each stitch for as many rows as it takes until you feel like the hat is the right length.  Use the stitch marker to tell you when you've made it around again.  When the hat is the length you'd like, fasten off (at the stitch marker) & weave in the yarn end. For my 13-year old's hat I did 28 rows total.

This project is small enough to carry with you -- it's nice to have something productive & fun to do while waiting in the car, at the doctor's or dentist's office, at the rink, outside of the dance studio, etc.  Plus, unlike reading a book, you can chat with other parents while crocheting!  (And sometimes it's a good conversation starter 'cause people wanna know what you're making...)

Additional notes & ideas:

The original pattern for this hat included a brim of sorts which you can add if you like by doing the following: 

Last row:  Switch to double crochet.  Double crochet 1 into the first stitch, then 5 double crochets int the second stitch.  Repeat that pattern 30 times to create a scalloped edge.   You could take this same idea and dial it down by making fewer double crochets (say 3 or 4 instead of 5) or by doing the same thing with single crochet.  Experiment and have fun with it!

You could also make this hat in several colors, even using up small amount of yarn, since it's easy enough to tuck the ends inside where no-one will see them.  Hey, what about adding a pom-pom to the top?  Other ideas? 

Enjoy creating!