Thursday 28 July 2016

QUICK BEANIE

QUICK BEANIE

This is a really special beanie for an awesome young boy who’s fighting “The Fight against The Big C”.  So before you head any further, please send out a positive message and thought for him.  The Universe hears it all, and Magic does happen!  

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Materials used : Today I’ve used just under 90 gms our lovely Indian Vardhaman Millenium  acrylic yarn,  with a 4 mm crochet hook
Optional : A marker

Skill level : Easy to Intermediate.   This pattern involves around the post stitches J

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : To refresh your skill on the fsc, please view this video https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA 

Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps.  One sc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ; 
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made.  
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8 

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk); [yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0


Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI


Abbreviations used :
lp(s) : Loop(s)                  sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet         sp : Space                                           
sl-st : Slip stitch               ch : Chain
st(s) : Stitch(es)               hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over
                                                           
                                   
Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.  This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project. 

We will start our beanie at the crown of the head and work in rounds to the bottom of the beanie.
So right off the bat, there are two suggestions –
1.       If you do not like the join line showing, then please work in a spiral without joining with a sl-st at the end of each row.  This is not an Easy Skill requirement, so I will be writing the instructions with joining with a sl-st, but what you need to do is keep a marker and work the stitches to the marker, and move the marker along each round.
2.     Joining each round with a sl-st.  This is an Easy skill requirement and I will be writing the pattern instructions like this.  Note though that your line of attachment should go around the back of the head (when worn) so that it looks neat around the front.

Instructions given are going to be general, in that, I do not specify what head size this is for.  I have attached links for several head sizing charts that I’d advise you to use for head measure.
I am writing instructions for a general adult sized head for circumference approx. 22”.
Please work according to your requirement / measurement.

Note also that with head wear, you need to work till the circumference of the forehead.  However, always keep in mind the stretch of your yarn, and the fact that post stitches afford a lot of stretch to the end product too.  So do key these factors in when working the beanie.

Finally (phew!) I am opting to use the lovely hdc or Half Double Crochet stitch and hdc-blo or Half Double Crochet Back Loop Only for the top part of my beanie – only because I love how cute and tiny these stitches are and now full they make my project.  That said, you can use the sc and sc-blo or the dc and dc-blo as well to get this effect.

Right then, on with our hookin..



Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8  

Round 1 : Start with a magic circle and 6 hdc into that circle.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st sc. Pull lightly to close.

From this round on, you can opt to either join at the end with a sl-st or work in spirals, as mentioned before.

Half double crochet back loop only (hdc-blo) : Here is an easy video tutorial https://youtu.be/mMZhS37JP2k

Round 2 : hdc-blo in the 1st hdc and in each hdc till end.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.  (12 hdc)

Round 3 : hdc-blo in the 1st hdc ; 2 hdc-blo in the next hdc ; 
*hdc-blo in the next hdc ; 2 hdc-blo in the next hdc* ; 
rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.  (18 hdc)

Round 4 : hdc-blo in the 1st 2 hdc ; 2 hdc-blo in the next hdc ; 
*hdc-blo in the next 2 hdc ; 2 hdc-blo in the next hdc* ; 
rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.  (24 hdc)

Round 5 : hdc-blo in the 1st 3 hdc ; 2 hdc-blo in the next hdc ; 
*hdc-blo in the next 3 hdc ; 2 hdc-blo in the next hdc* ; 
rep *to* all around and join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.  (30 hdc)

So as you can see, we’re increasing 6 sts each round.

Round 6 - 10 : Rep Rep Round 5, increasing 6 sts each round. (60 hdc)

Round 11 : hdc-blo in the 1st hdc and in each hdc till end.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (60 sts)

We’ve now completed the crown and will now start working down the head.  For this we will just work hdc-blo all the way down without increase till your project is about 7” from the crown OR about 2” from the end / final length you want for the project.

Now we’re assuming we’re 2” from the brim.
For the final 2” we will work in post stitches – fpdc or the Front Post Double Crochet. Please check the top of this blog for a “how to”.

Obviously this round is not the 12th round, but for convenience, I’m going to number it such.

Front Post Double Crochet : fpdc : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch of the row below.  
How to work the fpdc :  yo, hk into sp between posts of st from row below – going from back of stitch, around st and into the front of the st ; yo, pull yarn through the sps (3 lps on hk), (yo & pull through 2 lps) twice.  One fpdc complete 

Round 12 : fpdc around the 1st hdc and around each hdc till end.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (60 sts)

Round 13 : fpdc around the 1st dc around each hdc till end.  
Join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (60 sts)



Rep Round 13 till you have a 2” wide brim or for as long as you want.

Fasten off and weave in ends.


For the green ribbon, I worked a length of fdc (Foundation Double Crochet) in green and then I folded it in the ubiquitous ribbon fold, and stitched it to the side of the beanie with an embroidery needle.  This is just freehand, so there's no specific length or size. Just work a length, fold and see if you are happy with the ribbon size, and enjoy your creation.

Yes, this project has had so many choices and suggestions – but that said, this is what makes it creative.. and exclusive, so have fun.

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Have a great day and see you soon

Here are some of my other headwear creations.  Have fun with these patterns too