Sweet Nothings Crochet: PREEMIE CAPS 15 : CUTE OWL CAPS

PREEMIE CAPS 15 : CUTE OWL CAPS - Crochet pattern info from Sweet Nothings Crochet

Yesterday I shared two really cute birdie caps – a chick and a turkey, and today we go a little owl-eyed crazy… six oh, so cute, owl cap patterns in this blog.

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Materials used : Today I’ve used some of our lovely Indian Oswal Cashmilon 4-ply acrylic yarns with a 3 mm crochet hook ; embroidery needle and craft glue for sealing ends

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

You could use cotton as well – I just had acrylic ready in all the colours I wanted, so went with this selection.

Skill level : Easy to intermediate.

Basic sewing skills needed.

Abbreviations used :

ch : chain ch-sp : chain space

sp : space rep : Repeat

fsc : Foundation single crochet

dc : Double crochet

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot :https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a slip stitch : https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

What is a crochet chain stitch ? https://youtu.be/pXx5ukBjKkY

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

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

Front post single crochet : fpsc : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch on the row below. Here is an easy video tutorial for the fpsc at https://youtu.be/OQa8YLpkdXs

Back post single crochet : bpsc : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch of the row below. Here is an easy video tutorial for the bpsc at https://youtu.be/L1K_MMLl-D4

How to seamlessly crochet in rounds : When working with head wear, this is a really neat way to seamlessly end each round. Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to this at https://youtu.be/ISBZK7Du7yE

Here is a sizing chart for general head sizing : here or here

Whipstitch to join : https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI

Instructions using U.S terminology

I am making preemie hats for donation and in all of the patterns below, I am using a free inspiration pattern.

I do not have the yarns specified by the designer most of the time – but what I always do is keep my head sizing chart handy and then work the pattern as given by the designer till the size I need. I always start with the same number of stitches, using whatever yarn I have in hand, in the color specified (if possible). Then I keep tabs first on the circumference I need. For a preemie hat, you need a (maximum) circumference of 12”. Once I get that circumference, I stop increases and start working down for the length. I need a total length of (maximum) 4”.

Once I have the basic hat/cap done, then embellishments need a little tweaking, sometimes. The simplest way to tweak embellishments (nose, eyes etc) is to work with a smaller hook. I also try to tighten the stitches a little bit. The tightening not only makes the embellishment smaller, but also allows it to hold shape without polyfill filling (if that’s what’s asked by the designer). As I am donating to the NICU preemie baby ward, I do not want to muck around with polyfill and possible allergens. I also prefer not to have ‘under-the-chin’ ties – so these are the two basic differences that you will see in my finished projects.

So what is my basic hat pattern for preemies ?

For my preemie caps I have worked the pattern ensuring I have a total length of 4” and a circumference of 12”. Please check the top of this blog for a sizing chart.

In general the pattern I’ve used for my caps is as follows.

Magic circle : https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

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

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.

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)

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”.

Some patterns directly have worked for me, so I have used the instructions given by the individual designers. So come along and let’s create some cute caps today.

1. Sleeping owl cap

One cute sleepy eyed owl.. do not even try to resist.. let’s make this with this lovely free pattern here. Also check out this and this link

2. Four owl caps

This set of owl caps is a paid pattern from Ambassador crochet here

... but aren't they totally worth it?

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Here are some of my other creations.

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

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