This pattern provides a basic framework for crocheting a beanie, offering variations for small, medium, and large sizes. It’s a very flexible pattern, encouraging the crocheter to customize the hat’s length, color, and overall style. The construction is top-down, starting with a ring at the crown and increasing outwards. The primary stitch is the treble crochet (UK terminology – equivalent to a US double crochet).
Skill Level: The pattern itself is relatively simple, relying mostly on the treble crochet stitch. However, the instructions are quite sparse and assume some prior crochet knowledge. It would be best suited for a confident beginner or intermediate crocheter who is comfortable with:
- Chain (ch)
- Slip stitch (sc) – Note: This pattern uses “sc” for both slip stitch and to join rounds. This is unusual and could be confusing.
- Treble crochet (tr) – Again, UK terminology. This is a US double crochet.
- Increasing (working two stitches in one stitch)
- Joining rounds
- Working in the round
- Understanding basic crochet terminology and abbreviations (even if the abbreviations are used inconsistently here)
A complete beginner might struggle with the lack of detailed step-by-step guidance.
Sizing: The pattern offers three size options:
- Small: 52-56 cm circumference
- Medium: 56-60 cm circumference
- Large: 60-64 cm circumference
Yarn:
- Type: The pattern recommends “Molly/Luva” yarn, stating that 1 ball = 50g. It doesn’t specify the yarn weight category. Molly and Luva yarn are a chunky weight yarn.
- Amount:
- Short hat: about 2 balls
- Tall hat: about 3 balls
Hook: Use crochet hook no. 5 (5.00mm). This is a good size for the recommended yarn.
Construction:
- Start: Begin with 4 chain stitches, joined into a ring with a slip stitch.
- Rounds 1-6 (Medium Hat): These rounds establish the increasing pattern for the crown. Each round involves working a combination of single treble crochets and increases (2 treble crochets in one stitch). The increase pattern varies slightly in each round to create a relatively flat circle.
- Rounds 7-15 (Medium Hat): These rounds are worked even, with one treble crochet in each stitch. This forms the main body of the hat. The number of rounds can be adjusted to change the hat’s length.
- Small Hat Variation: Follows the medium hat instructions up to round 5, then works rounds 6-14 with no increases.
- Large Hat Variation: Follows the medium hat instructions up to round 6, then has a slightly different increase pattern in round 7, followed by even rounds (8-15).
- Striped Hat: The pattern suggests changing colors at the beginning of each round for a striped effect, leaving yarn tails to be woven in later.
- Finishing: The hat is finished with a slip stitch, and the yarn tail is secured on the inside.
Key Features/Oddities:
- Basic, Flexible Instructions: The pattern provides a framework rather than a rigid set of instructions, allowing for customization.
- UK Terminology: “tr” = UK treble crochet = US double crochet.
- Inconsistent Abbreviations: “sc” is used for both slip stitch and to join rounds, which is unusual and could be confusing.
- Sparse Guidance: The pattern assumes some prior crochet knowledge and doesn’t provide detailed step-by-step instructions for every aspect of the process.
- Emphasis on Customization: The pattern encourages the crocheter to choose their own colors, stripe patterns, and overall hat length.