Friday 3 February 2017

JAS’ SPIRALLY WONDERFUL BEANIE

spiral beanie, ladies headwear, girls beanie
JAS’ SPIRALLY WONDERFUL BEANIE

I have made this cap before for a little girl and I usually do not repeat patterns, but with this one, I just had to make an exception. Not only is this for a dear friend, but this pattern is also one of a kind

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Materials used : Today I’ve used our lovely Indian Vardhaman millennium acrylic variegated yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
You also need  fabric glue ; embroidery needle 

In general : Use any yarn with a suitable hook to make these projects. 
For Indians : You can use Red Rose knitting cotton or Red Rose metallic cotton as well as Oswal acrylic yarns

International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used , I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.


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 

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 : (Using U.S terminology) 
lp(s) : Loop(s)                 sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet        ch : Chain
sp : Space                      sl-st : Slip stitch
 st(s) : Stitch(es)             hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over                     
dc 2-tog : Double crochet 2-together            


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.  For your convenience there video tutorials through the blog too
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.  

1.       SPIRALLY WONDERFUL CAP

free crochet pattern, ladies headwear, girls beanie

For my first pattern, I have used the brilliant free pattern from Danyel Pink at http://www.danyelpinkdesigns.com/2013/10/crochet-pattern-delaney-hat.html


This is a really cute pattern. It is worked in one continuous row from the forehead to the crown and then up and down the spiral. 
The designer started with a chain, but I (as usual) preferred my foundation chain start and started with a foundation half double crochet chain.  As I have said innumerable times, it may be a little difficult to work the foundation chain start, but in the long run, it is so much better to start this way, as both ends of your work have a similar stretch and they match up easier.

free crochet beanie pattern

Foundation half double crochet (fhdc) : This is an easy way to start a row of hdc without the starting chain row. 
Here is an easy video tutorial https://youtu.be/SEG2UCRfypA

So at the end of the foundation row, work 15 chain for the spiral and you work 2 or 3 sc in each ch all the way to the end of the foundation chain.  Then as per the design, work a hdc (half double crochet) in back loops only (blo) all the way up and down.
The spirals are worked only at one end, and that end becomes the crown.  So depending on the size you’re making this for, you will get that many spirals and it is an absolute blast.

free crochet beanie pattern

If you want a longer spiral, you just add more chain.  I also played around with the number of sc per chain, and worked a combination of 3, 4 and 5 sc in every alternating chain, and find that it spirals really well.
The other thing that I noted for getting a good spiral is to work only in one side of the chain. So usually, when working an sc, we pass our hook through two parts of the chain and this not only avoids a gaping hole, but also gives a firmer start.  In the case of spirals though, I felt that working through one part of the chain gave it a better spirally effect.  That said, play around with the number of stitches and where you place them, and be amazed with the effect of something this simple.

I’ve also added one round of reverse single crochet (or crab stitch) to end up my beanie.
free crochet beanie pattern

Crab Stitch or Reverse Single Crochet stitch : Here’s an easy video tutorial at https://youtu.be/cG3crwyHPnk

free crochet beanie pattern

Have fun creating something beautiful and hope the recipient loves it too.

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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