Crochet beanie hat

A great idea for a handmade Christmas present for a loved one.

A lot of the Christmas presents I'm sending out this year are going to be handmade 'winter warmer' sets, such as scarves, hats, mittens, headbands, etc. You've already seen my link for a lace crochet scarf, and I'm making this beanie hat to go along with it for a set for my grandma. It's really simple, and I made this within one evening (I should probably find something else to do with my evenings, but sitting in crocheting with a cuppa and watching something daft on the telly with my boyfriend is a great cheap night, especially as its so cold outside!) 

Skills needed:
. Half double crochet (hdc). Yarn over, pull through stitch, (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all three loops.
. slip stitch.
. chain stitch.

For the hat I used a chunky lightweight beige coloured yarn and a 5mm hook. Here's what to do:

. Chain 5, ss together.
. Chain 2, 9 hdcs, ss together. (10 stitches)
. Chain 2, 2 hdcs into each gap, 1 dc into chain gap, sl st together. (20 stitches)
. Chain 2, 3 hdcs into each gap, 2 hdcs into chain gap, sl st together. (30 stitches)
. Chain 2, 4 hdcs into each gap, 3 hdcs into chain gap, sl st together. (40 stitches)
. Chain 2, 4 hdcs into each gap, 4 hdcs into chain gap, sl st together. (50 stitches)
. Chain 2, 5 dcs into each gap, 5 hdcs into chain gap, sl st together. (60 stitches)
. Chain 2, hdc into each stitch around, repeat until hat is desired length.

There you have your basic beanie hat. However, I like to jazz things up, so there are a couple of optional extras:

. A flowery addition:

. For flower, chain 2, 5 sc into 2nd chain from hook. Join with sl st. Chain 2, 3 dcs, chain 2, sl st into 1st sc, then sl st to next sc. Repeat for 5 petals. Using a yarn needle, sew onto desired spot on hat. Make as many as you like and add them where ever you fancy, using different colours if you'd like something bright and colourful!

. Turban 

To turn your beanie into a 1920's style turban, turn inside out and sew small stitches from about 4 inches from the edge to the brim of your hat. This will gather it, easily making the hat more stylish.

Easy, really! A 'winter warmer' set well on it's way. Now all it needs is a pair of mittens - watch this space!

                                 

Emma :) xx