Sweet Nothings Crochet: PREEMIE CAPS 3

free crochet pattern, donation, crochet headwear, free crochet headwear pattern, free crochet preemie baby cap pattern, free crochet monster cap pattern, free crochet preemie monster baby cap pattern, Oswal Cashmilon, Vardhaman Millennium,

PREEMIE CAPS 3

MONSTAAH CAPS

This is my 3^rd 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.

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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

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros e ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns

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 :

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279839058772/ OR

https://in.pinterest.com/pin/470063279837764548/

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 1^st hdc. (10)

Round 2 : (Increase round ) : 2 hdc in the 1^st hdc and in each hdc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st hdc. (20)

Round 3 : (Increase round ) : hdc in the 1^st 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 1^st hdc. (30)

Round 4 : (Increase round ) : hdc in the 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st hdc and in each hdc all around.

Join with a sl-st to the 1^st 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 1^st 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 1^st 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

http://www.repeatcrafterme.com/2013/08/crochet-shark-hat-pattern.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. 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

https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/monsters-inc-mike-wazowski-inspired-baby-hat

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

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2020/04/easy-slim-seeded-headband.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2020/04/easy-slim-crossed-headband.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2020/04/easy-cinched-headband.html

https://shyamanivas.blogspot.com/2020/04/easy-faux-cable-headband.html