Monday 15 January 2018

ZEBRA MESSY BUN HAT with a pair of FINGERLESS GLOVES

free crochet messy bun hat pattern, free crochet fingerless gloves pattern
ZEBRA MESSY BUN HAT with a pair of FINGERLESS GLOVES 

The messy bun hats were a rave some months back, and then they just quietly died a natural death when something new took over.  This hat has been specially chosen by my client for its thick n chunky look – and I thought these simple finger-less gloves would be a superb matching compliment.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used some of our lovely Indian Ganga Acrowools Zebra 8-ply acrylic yarn with a 5 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue to seal ends 

This yarn is not specific for this project.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros ; Red rose metallic or  unbranded  knitting cotton as well as Oswal or Vardhaman 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 Alize bamboo yarn ; Spotlight stores 4-Seasons Marvel and Stallion yarns or Hobby Lobby I-Love-this-cotton yarn

Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 
Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs
Foundation Single Crochet : fsc : https://youtu.be/mcT85fwh4mA 

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

How to work a picot stitch : Traditionally for a ch-3 picot, you work (ch 3, sl-st in 3rd ch from hook).  For a ch-5 picot, you will work (ch 5, sl-st in 5th ch from hook). 
Here’s a great video https://youtu.be/8s3zVaBcn4s

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA
Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI


Instruction information
 I was given a photograph and asked if I could make this cap.  I am generally able to make most things crochet that I see – and I started on the project, making my notes as usual .. till I chanced on this pattern. 
I found that I had written a similar pattern in my notes, but also had the same yarn with similar yardage.. who’d have thunk it, right? ;)

free crochet messy bun hat pattern, free crochet fingerless gloves pattern

So let’s mosey on over to the free pattern at

There’s just one error/typo in the pattern.  
For the head bit, we work a set of 13 sts (dc/hdc/sc & sl-st).  
The count is a bit off in the pattern sheet (or so I thought). 
So I worked a combination of (8 dc ; 2 hdc ; 2 sc ; 1 sl-st) using the 3rd loop (a.k.a Camel stitch), and then worked the 13 hdc in the following row per pattern.

How to do the Camel stitch : The camel stitch is a lot like the back loop stitch, but you get a knitted finish on the top of your work.  The Camel stitch is worked in the 3rd loop, just behind the back loop of your stitch.

Camel stitch using hdc : Here is an easy video tutorial at https://youtu.be/mqeLOv0oOU0 

Remember to count every row – especially your hdc rows, as it is a little tricky getting into that 1st sl-st, which does count as a stitch ;)

Please check the top of this blog for a sizing chart and the ideas below as well
1. Hat circumference = measure around the head just above ears and subtract one inch for a nicely fitted finished hat.
2. Crown width = (this is a flat circular top of the hat) you need to divide hat circumference by 3.14 (pi).
3. Hat height = Head circumference / 10 x 4.

So you need to measure circumference of the head (round head measurement) and keep checking the outer circumference of your work.  
There is another trick for measuring circumference (without running your measure tape all around the edge of your circle as you are working). 
This works for a cap that you are working top down, from the crown of the head.
It works by dividing your round head measure by pi (3.14). 
So say your head measurement is 22, divide 22 by 3.14 = 7.  
Remember when calculating diameter, you must account for the stretch of your yarn too.
So once the ‘flat portion’ for the crown (or the first few rounds while you are still increasing) of your cap is 7” diameter, you can stop increases and start increasing just the length (without increasing stitches for the round)

Right then.. off you go to the pattern sheet for the messy bun hat.

free crochet messy bun hat pattern, free crochet fingerless gloves pattern

free crochet messy bun hat pattern, free crochet fingerless gloves pattern


For my pair of finger-less gloves, I changed the pattern *just a bit*.  
For the palm section, where the designer has worked ch-1 sps, I did not.  
I just worked 1 st in every st all around – to give a more compact and warmer finish.  My yarn is pretty chunky, and I thought working a st all around would just add to the warmth and chunkiness… not to mention bring out the lovely variegated colors of the yarn too. 

Finally, what if you do not have this chunky yarn and still want to make this pattern - well, the beauty of this pattern shows through more because of the yarn chunkiness - but here's how you can make any yarn bulky instantly. 


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Have a great day and see you soon. 

I have a few pieces of headwear already made as well, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go