Monday 28 May 2018

PREEMIE CAPS 16 : CUTE XMAS INSPIRED CAPS

CUTE XMAS INSPIRED CAPS free crochet patterns from Sweet Nothings Crochet
PREEMIE CAPS 16
CUTE XMAS INSPIRED CAPS

As you know, if you have been following my blogs, I’m making a few preemie / newborn baby caps that I recently donated  across three charity centres in Australia.  There are not too many free preemie cap patterns available online, but using existing ideas, patterns and inspirations, I’ve made a few caps.
Today let’s work on six cute xmas inspired caps.

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These caps were donated between the Gold Coast Hospitals Charity Foundation and the Redland Hospitals Charity Foundation, Cleveland.  These charity centers sell handmade items and donate the proceeds to the hospital.  I am thrilled to share the photographs of these two organisations.

Handing over the preemie caps for charity - from Sweet Nothings Crochet
Gold Coast Hospitals Charity Foundation

Handing over the preemie baby caps at Redlands hospitals charity foundation - from Sweet Nothings Crochet
 Redland Hospitals Charity Foundation, Cleveland

Materials used  & Skill level :  Check each pattern link for info.

Abbreviations used :
ch : chain                    ch-sp : chain space
sp : space                   rep : Repeat
hk : Hook
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

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

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

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 :  https://youtu.be/ISBZK7Du7yE   

Here is a sizing chart for general head sizing :

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
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.

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.

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

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.

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”.

Below are the inspiration blogs / pattern links.  What I did was check to see if the pattern link works for me (using my yarn and hook) – if it did not, then I worked my pattern above and them embellished as instructed.
With the embellishments too, if I had to reduce size (as my cap is so tiny), then I reduced my hook size and/or tightened my stitch.  I have also opted not to use any poly fill stuffing (as these are for preemies) – but found that tightening the stitch did hold the part up quite well.  Hope this works for you too.


1.        Gingerbread man cap
gingerbread man preemie baby cap - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet
For this yummy looking cap, get this free pattern from Ravelry at https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/gingerbread-man-hat-3

Materials Used : I’ve used a few gms of Indian Oswal Cashmilon acrylic 4-ply yarn with a 4mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros ; Red rose metallic or unbranded  knitting cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns

Skill level : Easy

2.      Adorable snowman cap
adorable snowman preemie baby cap - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet
For this darling cap, check out the lovely freebie at http://repeatcrafterm.wpengine.com/2012/10/crochet-snowman-hat-pattern.html

Materials Used : I’ve used a few gms of Indian Oswal Cashmilon acrylic 4-ply yarn with a 4mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros ; Red rose metallic or unbranded  knitting cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns

Skill level : Easy

For this cute cap, I’ve used the instructions for Size 0-3 m.  I’ve worked it till I had a circumference of about 12” and then worked the pattern down till I had a length of about 4”. 

I worked with a 3.5 mm crochet hook for the cap, nose and eyes.
For the black coal eyes, rather than use a button, I worked 10 hdc in a magic circle  (using Indian Vardhaman millennium 4-ply acrylic yarn) and left a long yarn to attach it onto my snowman’s face.
For the “coal teeth”, I worked 6 hdc (with Vardhaman millennium again) and left a long tail for attachment.

I have not worked the under the chin ties as I think they’ll be too much for the preemies.

3.      Reindeer cap
reindeer preemie baby cap - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet
Xmas and reindeers go hand in hand.. and how can we say Christmas without Rudolph and his red nose , right?

Materials Used : I’ve used a few gms of Nako Saten (Gold) plus little bit of Indian Oswal Cashmilon acrylic 4-ply yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros ; Red rose metallic or unbranded  knitting cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns

Skill level : Easy

4.     Hershey’s kiss cap
hershey's kiss preemie baby cap - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet
This is just the cutest hat ever.. how can you resist it..

Materials Used : I’ve used a few gms of Indian Oswal Cashmilon acrylic 4-ply yarn with a 4mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros ; Red rose metallic or unbranded  knitting cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns

Skill level : Easy

5.      Cupcake cap
cupcake preemie baby cap - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet
And yet another yummy, cute and irresistible hat ....

Materials Used : I’ve used a few gms of Indian ICE Batik acrylic yarn plus Oswal Cashmilon acrylic 4-ply yarn with a 4mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros ; Red rose metallic or unbranded  knitting cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns

Skill level : Easy
6.     Santa cap
santa preemie baby cap - a free crochet pattern from Sweet Nothings Crochet
And how can we have Christmas without Santa. Enjoy making this Santa hat with this free pattern at https://www.favecrafts.com/Crochet-Hat-Patterns/Baby-Santa-Hat-Crochet-Pattern-from-Caron-Yarn

Materials Used : I’ve used a few gms of Indian Oswal Cashmilon acrylic 4-ply yarn with a 4mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros ; Red rose metallic or unbranded  knitting cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns

Skill level : Easy

I opted to work a ball rather than a pompom for the top of my Santa cap.  I used the cherry pattern from the cupcake cap pattern, increasing the number of repeats a little to get a slightly bigger ball.
As with all my preemie caps, I have not used any poly-fill but worked tighter stitches to get the little pompom-ball to hold shape.

I have so much fun crafting these lovely baby caps, and I am sure you did too.

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Have a great day and see you soon. 

Here are some of my other creations. 


























































https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/peek-a-boo-infinity-cowl


























https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/manga-maalai-wrap


https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/aasaan-wrap




https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/kaju-katli-scarf



























.. and my gloves are at 















Here are my headwear patterns


































































































































































































































































































































and some boleros / jacket / vests ...








































and here are some tops.. that a bolero would look swell over..



















































































and a doll’s top..


I have a few girls dresses, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go