Here's one of my favorites. I've seen all kinds of variations on this one. It can be made up with any kind of yarn from fingering weight baby yarn to worsted weight. Just use a crochet hook suitable for the weight of the yarn (i.e., a smaller hook for fingering weight and a larger hook for worsted weight). Depending upon the yarn weight and the size of the hook, you get different size hats. Also the initial chain length and number of rows can be adjusted at will to make different size hats.
Note: rows 2 - 30 are all worked in back loop only.
Chain 40.
Row 1. sc in first 6 chains, hdc in next 6 chains, dc remaining of chains.
Row 2. DC in each dc from prior row, hdc in each 6 hdc in prior row, sc in each 6 sc in prior row.
Row 3-30. Alternate rows 1 & 2.
At end of last row, finish off. Sew beginning chain and last row together. Gather the sc end of the hat and pull tightly to close opening for top of hat. If desired, create a pom-pom and sew to top.
Each pair of rows creates a 'rib'. You'll want between 15 and 20 'ribs' depending upon the size hat you want.
For example, if I want a medium sized preemie hat, I'll use baby sport weight yarn and a G or H hook. I'll make 15 'ribs' (or 30 rows).
If I want a small preemie hat, I'll use fingering weight yarn and an E or F hook and still generally make 15 ribs. The smaller hook and lighter weight yarn makes a smaller hat.
If I want a full term hat, I'll use sport weight or worsted weight yarn and an I or J hook and make 15 to 18 ribs. Sometimes I'll start with a chain of 45 or 50 to make a longer hat. When I adjust the length of the chain, I still use 6 sc and 6 hdc to form the top of the hat and dc the remaining chains.
This hat is also great for using up scraps of yarn because you can change colors at the end of every row, every other row, every third row or whatever.
It's the easist and most adjustable pattern I've ever seen and makes up quickly. It's also very forgiving if you lose count of the DC's because you only have to make sure you have 12 stitches left at the top end for the sc and hdc stitches.
Hope this makes sense to you.
Jo
Posted on May 13, 2002, 10:41 PM from IP address 68.58.137.23