Top 5 Crochet Hat Pattern Recommendations

Hello! I'm writing to you today to share some crochet inspiration; the weather has suddenly turned cold and wintry here in Scotland, and I'm feeling motivated to crochet lots of cosy hats, all the hats!

I've worked up one of my own designs 3 times in the last few weeks - the Saturday Beanie - and I'm really keen to share the links for this one and for a few of my other ones with you. I was actually in Edinburgh without a hat recently (a huge oversight on my part!) and I really noticed how cold I felt without one; hats are perfect for keeping you warm during the colder months.

 

My Top 5 Crochet Hat Pattern Recommendations:

 

Fields of Wheat Beanie: (Above) This is my most complex looking hat but it's not as tricky to crochet up as you might think! The wheat stalks are created by looping chains through each other and I've made a video tutorial to guide you throught he process. Construction is in two phases, the crown is crocheted first (from the bottom up) and the brim is added at the end, it's back post/ front post stitches. Find the pattern on my website here and on Ravelry here.

Tay Beanie: My most recent crochet pattern release! I love this one, full of interesting texture - if you fancy learning the star stitch, this is an ideal small project to give it a go! It uses top down construction and the ribbing is front post and back post stitches. I crocheted up my sample in The Scottish Yarn Festival, Clan DK; the stitch definition and warmth are both exceptional. Find the pattern on my blog here.

Elsie Beanie: If you're keen to try a more unusual construction method, this one is worked sideways! Rows of linked half trebles create a super drapy fabric which is ideal for the slouchy look this beanie has. I have written the pattern for two different yarn weights; DK and 4ply, both are included in the one pdf. Find the pattern on my website here and on Ravelry here.

Click here for your copy!

Saturday Beanie: I named this one the Saturday Beanie because its construction and stitches flow so quickly off the hook you can easily make it on a Saturday, ready to wear on a Sunday! It's a top-down design and uses extended double crochet stitches and back-loop-only ribbing. Find the pattern on Ravelry here.

Barista Beanie: (Below) This slouchy hat is worked in 6 distinct sections, it's also crocheted in a mix of rows and rounds so it keeps you're interest. The ties are worked at the end and close the hat off neatly at the crown. It was first published in the August 2018 Crate Crochet subscription box in Australia and it's a design I'm still fond of today! Find the pattern on my website here and on Ravelry here.

I hope you enjoy these crochet hat designs of mine! I'm always happy to hear your feedback and answer any questions, so please feel free to share your thoughts with me.   In the meantime, do stay warm and cosy, Marta xx

New FREE Crochet Pattern Alert: The Tay Beanie

 

IT'S PATTERN LAUNCH DAY!

Hello! I'm always excited about pattern launch day but this beanie pattern is especially exciting beacuse I've lined it up to launch on the day of The Scottish Yarn Festival at Errol Showground, Perthshire which is also today! I've designed my Tay Beanie using the Clan DK wool from The Scottish Yarn Festival and it seems fitting to release the pattern into the world on this special day!

I've spoken at length in previous blog posts about how much I LOVE this wool, but if you missed those you can find them on my blog here.

The Tay Beanie pattern is FREE for you here in this blog post with the option to upgrade to the paid-for pattern on either my website or on Ravelry. The paid-for version has another two sizes plus a video tutorial to accompany the pattern. It also includes my prompts for taking the pattern and creating your own spin on it, something I love to encourage! Use the code BEANIE for 25% off the paid-for version!

To make this beanie, you'll need:

• 1x 100g skein of The Scottish Yarn Festival Clan DK (230m/ 100g, 80% Shetland/ 20% Cheviot), I used colourway Sinclair. Link to buy yarn  https://thescottishyarnfestival.com/our-custom-yarn

• 5.5mm (I/9) crochet hook

• Needle for sewing in ends

The full instructions to make the medium size hat are below, in both UK terms followed by US terms! If you make one, don't forget to tag me on Instagram so I can see!!

Tension 

6.5 stars x 8 rows per 10cm (Star Stitch pattern in rounds, unblocked with 5.5mm hook or required hook to achieve gauge). No time for gauge swatches? At the end of Round 5 of the Crown, the diameter should be approximately 11cm.

Measurements

Medium size: to fit 53-58cm; finished hat circumference 58cm; brim to crown height 20cm. My medium sized sample used just under 60g of yarn.

For the small and large sizes visit my website or Ravelry to download the paid-for pattern.

Abbreviations

UK terms		US terms
bptr	back post treble    ⇨  ⇨  ⇨	bpdc	back post double crochet
ch	chain	ch	chain
chsp	chain space	chsp	chain space
flo	front loop only	flo	front loop only
fptr	front post treble    ⇨  ⇨  ⇨	fpdc	front post double crochet
fptr2tog	front post treble 2 together   ⇨  ⇨	fpdc2tog	front post double crochet 2 together
htr	half treble    ⇨  ⇨  ⇨	hdc	half double crochet
htr2tog	half treble 2 together   ⇨  ⇨  ⇨	hdc2tog	half double crochet 2 together
RS	right side	RS	right side
ss	slip stitch	ss	slip stitch
st(s)	stitch(es)	st(s)	stitch(es)
tr	treble     ⇨  ⇨  ⇨	dc	double crochet
tr6tog	treble 6 together   ⇨  ⇨  ⇨	dc6tog	double crochet 6 together
WS	wrong side	WS	wrong side

Notes 

• Begin at the Crown and work down to the Brim in rounds with RS facing at all times. Do not turn at the end of rounds.

• Some testers found that they went up a hook size (or two!) for the Star Stitches. If you feel your Star Stitches are too tight, go up a hook size then back down a hook size for the Brim. You can try on the hat for size & fit after each reset round of Star Stitches.

• If you’d like more length to your beanie add extra rounds of the Brim section.

• Stitch counts are only given at the end of rounds with a change of count from the previous round. If there is no stitch count stated, it’s unchanged since the previous round.

Special stitches

• Star Stitch is worked over 2 rounds. In the first round you will tr6tog/ dc6tog with the first part of each tr/ dc worked as follows; in chsp just made, in mid side leg of last star worked, in lower side leg of last star worked, in same st as last leg of last star, in each of next 2sts, yo, pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch1 = tr6tog/ dc2tog made. To complete the stars you will work a round of (1tr, 2htr)/ (1dc, 2hdc) in each chsp around - be careful not to miss the last chsp before the ss join! A reset round is then worked to bring the stitch count back down.

• To begin a round of Star Stitch; ch4, then tr6tog/ dc6tog with the first part of each tr/ dc worked as follows; in 2nd ch from hook, in 3rd ch from hook, in 4th ch from hook, in the same space as joining st at end of last round, in first st, in 2nd st, yo, pull through all 7 loops on hook, ch1 = tr6tog/ dc6tog made

• Front post stitches (fptr/ fpdc) & back post stitches (bptr/ bpdc) are worked in almost the same way as regular trebles/ doubles except they are worked around the post of the stitch instead of in the top.

I’d like to thank my tech editor Ruth Brasch for checking over the fine details; my testers (their photos are in the collage above) - Gillian Clifford, Mary Dodds, Daniela Haible, Carmen Heffernan, Raffaella Invernizzi, Angela Lawton & Hannah Wingfield; my photographers, stylists - Niamh Mitchell & Joy Saunders; my model Niamh Mitchell! Thank you everyone, this design wouldn’t have been possible without all your help. xx

Video links 

I’ve made two YouTube video tutorials to help you with this beanie. If you purchase the paid-for pattern on my website or on Ravelry, you will have access to my introduction video which talks you through the construction of this beanie. 

How to work back post/ front post ribbing  https://youtu.be/WH21Ohlq4IE

How to work the Star Stitch  https://youtu.be/2Y4v6VxATuc

Tay Beanie Pattern Launch to Coincide with The Scottish Yarn Festival, 7th June 2024

Hello! Are you ready to add a new masterpiece to your crochet collection? It's time to start getting excited because I'm releasing a brand new crochet pattern to coincide with The Scottish Yarn Festival next Saturday, 7th June!

The Tay Beanie has now been tested and tech edited! This stylish hat is the cousin of my original Perth Beanie and features a stunning textured detail which is sure to make heads turn! Rounds of Star Stitch are used to create this rich texture and I'll be creating a YouTube video to demonstate this cute stitch pattern. 

Crocheted with just 1 skein of the fabulous Clan DK wool from The Scottish Yarn Festival, the same yarn I chose for my Perth Beanie. The sample is in Sinclair, the perfect colour for autumn in Perthshire!

If you're at the festival, you'll be able to choose from the full range of colours available, including the brand new colour, Errol, launching on the day! If you can't make it in person, you can buy the yarn on The Scottish Yarn Festival's webiste. Two weeks ago I wrote a review of this wonderful yarn which you can read here on my blog.

Stay tuned for the official release next Saturday! The pattern, like it's Perth Beanie cousin, will be free on my blog with the option to upgrade to the paid version on my website or on Ravelry to give you access to more sizes and more video tutorials. I'll be sending an email to my subscribers on the day so if you'd like access to all the links and of course the special subscriber discount code, sign up to my mailing list here.

Happy crocheting,

Marta xx

Yarn Review: The Scottish Yarn Festival, Clan DK

Hello! I've been meaning to share my thoughts on the yarn I've been loving the most lately. It's Clan DK from The Scottish Yarn Festival and it's been getting a lot of use in my projects, so I thought it was time to give it a proper review.

I love discovering new yarns so when I first saw this wool at The Scottish Yarn Festival itself in Perth last September I was super impressed with how it squished ... and as for the colours, WOW!

This soft & woolly yarn comes from sheep grazing in Scotland, it's then milled in Yorkshire and is ready to be transformed into something wonderful by us crocheters and knitters! It's a blend of 80% Shetland and 20% Cheviot, it's DK weight (but comes in 4ply and now aran weight too!).

The visionary behind The Scottish Yarn Festival is Eva Christie and she has created an incredible new yarn, combining her passion and knowledge of Scottish wool to produce something truly special. The yarn is lovely and springy when you squish it in skein form which then translates well when it's crocheted up; it really keeps its stitch definition and shape.

As well as 3 undyed neutral colourways, there is a stunning range of 11 colours and Eva has blended some real beauties! They're all named after Scottish Clans (hence the name Clan). You may remember my Perth Beanie - for that I used the colourway Wallace, a dusky burgundy colour. I have a new design at the testing and tech editing stage using Sinclair, a burnt mustard sort of colour. These colours share a common earthy quality and would look fantastic together (indeed, I'm saving all my left-overs to combine in a future scrappy project!).

Image shows my Perth Beanie

However, it’s not just this yarn’s incredible softness and stunning colour palette that I love. Sustainability is equally important to me and knowing that this wool originates from sheep grazing freely in Scotland, and that processing takes place in Yorkshire, aligns perfectly with my values. Supporting local industries and minimising the environmental impact of production are crucial factors in my yarn choices. By choosing to endorse smaller, more independent yarn suppliers, such as The Scottish Yarn Festival, we not only bolster the local economy, we also help to minimise the environmental impact often associated with larger brands. By choosing to support brands committed to ethical and sustainable practices, we can collectively encourage a more responsible approach to textile production.

As I've mentioned, I've used this wool to design two hats but it would definitely crochet up well in a jumper or blanket, holding its structure well and providing much needed warmth! I'm also looking forward to getting my hands on some 4ply! There's a brand new colourway called Errol being released at The Scottish Yarn Festival on the 7th of September and it's a fabulous green colour, I can't wait to get my hands on it! There are bag/ yarn/ ticket bundles which allow entry to the festival, plus on the day you can collect one of their new tote bags and a skein of Errol, great idea!

Image shows my Tay Beanie

If you'd like to try out the Clan yarn for yourself (it truly is one of my favourites!), then you can find it on The Scottish Yarn Festival website, at one of their many stockists (including The Woolly Thistle for my american friends) or at the festival itself on the 7th September at Errol Showground, just outside Perth. At the time of writing the yarn is not listed on the website due to festival commitments, but if you email hello@thescottishyarnfestival Eva will be able to make arangements for you.

If you've used this yarn already, what did you make? Did you love it too? Leave me a comment to let me know!

Until next time, happy crocheting, 

Marta xx

PS. If you're interested in crocheting my Perth Beanie you can find the pattern free on this blog here!

 

Free Crochet Beanie Pattern!

Free Crochet Beanie Pattern!

Hello! I'm super excited to announce the release of my new free crochet beanie pattern, the Perth Beanie! I designed this crocheted beanie with a few things in mind: Firstly, I wanted to create a hat which was both stylish and functional - I love the way it fits snugly around the head and ears, keeping you cosy on even the coldest days. Secondly, I wanted to create a beanie which showed off the gorgeous Scottish provenance wool from The Scottish Yarn Festival at its best - I think I pulled this one off, I'm so happy with the texture I created!

You'll find the the medium size FREE crochet beanie pattern below, or you can upgrade via my website or Ravelry to all 4 sizes PLUS a 10 minute bonus video guiding you through the textured section. 

The four sizes available with the full pattern are Child, Teen, Medium (adult) and Large (adult), with plenty of scope within the ranges to get the fit you really want. As with all my more recent patterns there's a section at the end with suggestions for how you can take my design and add your own twist to really personalise it and create something special (paid-for version only). Check out this blog post of mine for loads more inspiration on personalisation.

Whether you're a seasoned crocheter or you're much newer to the craft, I'm confident that you'll love crocheting the Perth Beanie. It's a fun and rewarding project which will produce a stylish, practical beanie that you'll cherish for years to come.

Pattern of the month for June

Hello! Introducing my Pattern of the month for June ... Air Balloon Beanie! I know, I know, it's not really hat weather (well not here in the northern hemisphere anyway!) but it's never too early to be prepared, right? Also, unlike blankets or jumpers which drape over you adding extra warmth as you work, small items like hats are perfect for the summer months because the air can still circulate.

Here are the details about the hat you need to know ...

• It's an intermediate level pattern designed to be crocheted in 2 colours.
• 4 sizes are available; child, teen, adult M, adult L.
• The pattern is very easy to adapt to suit any size of head.
• It's written in UK and US terms.
• The pattern gives instructions for 2 colours but you could be as creative as you like with the number of colours!
• I used Rico Essentials Merino DK for this design. 2 balls are enough to crochet each size.
• It's available on my website, on Ravelry and on LoveCrafts.
• There are charts and video tutorials to guide you.
• This project has that "one more row" quality I know so many of you love!

You can save 15% on my Air Balloon Beanie pattern throughout the month of June. It's usually £4.50 - use the code JUNE22 on my website or on Ravelry and it's yours for just £3.82. 

Don't forget to tag me on social media or send me a photo if you make one because I'd love to see!

Marta xx