PREEMIE
CAPS 23
SESAME
STREET CHARACTER CAPS
This
is my 23rd blog write up for preemie caps made for a recent donation in Australia. In this blog, I’ve made the characters from
Sesame Street.
Come
along and let’s see how we can spread some more small smiles.
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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 ; a light metal headband ; embroidery needle
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns
General yarn info : The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
International yarns : Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, 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 and Alize bamboo yarn.
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 chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=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
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.
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. 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.
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. Elmo cap
Who
doesn’t love Elmo, right? I know when I
made an Elmo inspired stuffed toy for a baby girl, that was and is one of her
favourite toys.. makes both mum and baby smile.. so hey!
Come
along and let’s make our Elmo inspired cap at https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/crochet-elmo-earflap-beanie
Materials used : I have used a few grams of (Indian) Vardhaman Millenium 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal acrylic yarns
Skill level : Easy
For
this cap too, just work as many rows as you need checking circumference and
length if the sizing does not work. The
designer has given several sizes – so have fun.
As my cap is intended for preemies in NICU, I decided not to muck around with polyfill for the eyes and nose. So rather than have them all pop out a lot, I worked as given in instructions and then flattened it all out a bit when stitching it on – and I think my cap looks absolutely brilliant.
As my cap is intended for preemies in NICU, I decided not to muck around with polyfill for the eyes and nose. So rather than have them all pop out a lot, I worked as given in instructions and then flattened it all out a bit when stitching it on – and I think my cap looks absolutely brilliant.
Go ahead, create
and make a difference too
2. Ernie preemie cap
Materials used : I have used a few grams of (Indian) Vardhaman Millenium 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal acrylic yarns
Check
out this link at https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Back-to-School-Crochet/How-to-Crochet-Sesame-Street-Hats or http://girlinair.blogspot.in/2010/07/how-to-crochet-sesame-street-hats.html
Or
get this (paid) pattern at https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/ernie-hat
3. Bert preemie cap
Materials used : I have used a few grams of (Indian) Vardhaman Millenium 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal acrylic yarns
Check
out this link at https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Back-to-School-Crochet/How-to-Crochet-Sesame-Street-Hats or http://girlinair.blogspot.in/2010/07/how-to-crochet-sesame-street-hats.html
4. Big Bird preemie cap
Materials used : I have used a few grams of (Indian) Vardhaman Millenium 4-ply acrylic yarn with a 4 mm crochet hook
For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red rose ; Red rose metallic or unbranded knitting cotton as well as Oswal acrylic yarns
Check
out this link at https://www.allfreecrochet.com/Back-to-School-Crochet/How-to-Crochet-Sesame-Street-Hats or http://girlinair.blogspot.in/2010/07/how-to-crochet-sesame-street-hats.html
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.
