PREEMIE
CAPS 3
MONSTAAH
CAPS
This
is my 3rd blog write up for preemie caps. When I started on my first preemie cap blog,
I thought I’d just make several similar type projects – and then I saw these
cuties. As I am donating, I thought let’s make it more fun fun fun.
Thank you for joining me.
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Materials used : Today I’ve used some of our lovely Indian Oswal Cashmilon 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 3 mm crochet hook ; embroidery needle
Abbreviations used :
sc
: single crochet dc : Double
crochet
ch
: chain ch-sp
: chain space
sp
: space rep
: Repeat
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 slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw
What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY
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
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
Here is a sizing chart for general head sizing :
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
Instructions using U.S terminology
As
I’ve mentioned in my earlier blog, for my preemie caps I have worked the
pattern ensuring I have a total length of 4” and a circumference of 12”.
This
is what worked for me, using my yarn(s) and hook. Please check the top of this blog for a
sizing chart.
In
general the pattern I’ve used for my caps is as follows. I have given links for the caps I’ve been
inspired by, but the general principle I’ve used is the same for all of my caps
– ensuring I get the preemie size right.
Start Round 1 : with a magic circle and 10 hdc in that circle.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st hdc.
(10)
Round 2 :
(Increase round ) : 2 hdc in the 1st hdc and in each hdc all around.
Join
with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (20)
Round 3 :
(Increase round ) : hdc in the 1st hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc ;
*hdc
in the next hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc* ;
rep
*to* all around.
Join
with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (30)
Round 4 :
(Increase round ) : hdc in the 1st 3 hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc ;
*hdc
in the next 3 hdc ; 2 hdc in the next hdc* ;
rep
*to* all around.
Join
with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (36)
Check
that your hat circumference is about 12” for preemie.
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, back to the pattern sheet.
Round 5 :
hdc in the 1st hdc and in each hdc all around.
Join
with a sl-st to the 1st hdc. (36)
Rep
Round 5 till you have a finished length of 4”.
Now
below are some pattern links for my inspirations. See what works for you with your yarn and
hook. Cheers.
1.
Simple scary monstah preemie cap
The
very first pattern I’ve chosen is a really cute and simple one at http://pinssneedles.com/free-crochet-pattern-scared-silly-monster-hat-for-baby-preemie-sizes/
Materials used : I have used a few grams of local Indian Oswal
Cashmilon 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
Skill level : Easy
A
quick note on what we are doing with this pattern.
This
is a top down cap. Our first row is the top/crown of the cap.
I
started with fsc, and we work till the end of the 1st fsc row, and
then around the end of the row and along the other end to make a round.
Thereon,
we will work in rounds.
The
yarn I’ve used is not the one specified by the designer.
So
in case you too are working with a yarn
that is not specified, then your first row should be half the head
circumference of the child. We are
basically working a rectangle all the way down, so you should ensure that it
will fit around the head of the child from that 1st row on. Got it?
Check
the top of this blog for head sizing charts.
Just for a small finish, I ended with a row of crab stitch or reverse single crochet. This is not part of the original pattern.
Crab stitch / Reverse single crochet :
(Reverse sc)
: This is your regular single crochet st, but done in reverse. So instead of moving ‘clockwise’ as we
regularly work, you move anti-clockwise
or counter clockwise, and you’ll achieve a slightly ‘bumpy’ single crochet,
which is your reverse sc.
How to do the crab stitch or reverse single crochet : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wE-ObvYb_Pk
2.
Caterpillar baby cap
This
cute cap has been on my ‘to-do’ list.. now its DONE ! Yaay.
The
free link for this pattern has a hat and cocoon, so spread more smiles with
this full set.
Get
the full details at http://www.ouicrochet.com/2015/01/newborn-caterpillar-hat-and-cocoon-free.html
Materials used : I have used a few grams of (Indian) Oswal
Cashmilon 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
Skill level : Easy
For
this cap too, there are several sizes given, but no preemie. So I just started with the same number of sts
as instructed for a new born 0-3 m, and
worked till the length needed
3.
Shark baby cap
I’ve
made a shark baby cocoon before, and now a cute shark baby cap.
Get
the free crochet pattern at
Materials used : I have used a few grams of (Indian) Oswal
Cashmilon 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
Skill level : Easy
For
this cap too, there are several sizes given, but no preemie. Once again, I just started with the same
number of sts as instructed for 0-3 m, and worked till the length needed. I then worked the shark gums and teeth as
specified and it worked just fine.
For
the shark fin, I worked till Round 9 (again for the 0-3m size) but worked my
stitches a little bit tighter so that the fin is a little smaller. I also will
not be using any poly fill for the fin, as this cap is intended for a preemie
in NICU, so a tighter stitch means a fin that will hold up straight without
filling. J
4.
Monsters Inc inspired baby cap
I’ve
made a one-eyed monster cap before, and this one is pretty similar and so
cute. Get the free crochet pattern at
Materials used : I have used a few grams of (Indian) Oswal
Cashmilon 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
Skill level : Easy
For
the horns, I used the same technique as I have for the shark fins – and it is
standing up without any polyfill filling.
Again as these are preemie caps, I thought it would be better without
the ‘under-the-chin’ ties, so the slight difference in look.
And
that’s four uber cute monstah preemie caps for you.
I
plan on making a few more preemie caps, so do follow me / this blog for more
fun and interesting ideas. Cheers.
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