Super quick crochet hats and some crochet updates…

Scroll down for the FREE PATTERN for these quick and easy hats!

How are you all? Keeping safe and well in these ongoing uncertain times I hope… 💙 It’s been so lovely for me to see lots of ‘Winter Walk Scarves’ being finished over the last couple of weeks… photos have been popping up on my Instagram feed and in the Facebook Group and seeing so many of you wearing your scarves is absolutely brilliant! Thank you for sharing your photos -here’s just a little selection… 😍

All looking so fabulous! 😍 I’ve really loved wearing mine too…

I’ve been asked quite a few times about the hat I was wearing in the photo I shared on Day 12 of our Winter Walk. It really is the easiest, simplest, most super quick crocheted hat and Iater in this blog post I’ll share with you all how I made it… and with only 1 week left until Christmas Day, there’s actually still plenty of time to crochet a few for gifts!

But first a couple of crochet updates to share…

The results for the British Knitting and Crochet Awards are in. I didn’t win an award this time… huge congratulations must go to Lucy from ‘Attic 24’ who won the ‘Most Iconic Crochet Designer’ and ‘Social Media Superstar’ awards. For me, just to have been shortlisted and to be in the mix amongst some big names and amazing fellow crochet designers was an absolutely huge honour – so THANK YOU to each and every one of you who voted for me! ❤️❤️❤️

Weather wise, the days have been pretty gloomy these past couple of weeks here on the south coast. Lots of grey and barely any sunshine… so when the sun made a brief appearance yesterday morning, it felt particularly lovely.

Although it wasn’t long before the grey cloud you see there above the horizon drifted our way and we were back to grey again! We really do have to enjoy the sunny moments when we can.

On my hooks these last few weeks has been a new version of my Seaside Stash Busting Blanket using Emu yarns. This is to celebrate 4 years (yes, 4 years!! 😆) since I launched the original crochet along for that blanket. Kits with the printed pattern will be available from The Knitting Network later in January to add to my ‘Coastal Crochet Collection’ I have with them.

It’s been really wonderful for me to crochet this blanket again and I’ve enjoyed it so much…

I’m making this one slightly smaller than the original which is really nice too. I’m often asked how to make the blanket smaller and because I didn’t base the original pattern on a stitch multiple (I designed it as we went and adjusted each row to keep consistent with my 180 stitches) it’s always difficult for me to give an answer to that question.

So this time I’ve adjusted the pattern for this new smaller ‘celebration’ version using 156 stitches and it’s crocheting up beautifully…

And little Salty made the most of a sunny spot she found…

I’d left the lounge for just a moment, came back… and there she was on top of the sofa and on top of my blanket in progress! She certainly knows how to enjoy the sunny moments when she can…🥰

So onto the hat… the full instructions follow below.

But first I’d like to wish each and every one of you a very happy and healthy Christmas time, whatever Christmas means for you. And here’s to a good 2022, whatever it may bring. With Covid causing so much havoc, life is certainly uncertain and less predictable. But I do wish you all plenty of creative moments…

Thank you for all the love and support you have shown me and my crochet throughout 2021. Take care… 🥰❤️❤️

How to make the hat:

You will need:

1 ball of super chunky yarn: I used 1 ball (100g /107 metres) ‘Emu Classic Super Chunky’ (100% Acrylic) which is available from The Knitting Network

An 8mm hook or hook to suit your tension or chosen yarn.

Pattern Notes:

The hat is crocheted in simple rows of half treble (US half double crochet) stitches to create a rectangular shape.

Half Treble stitches are unique in that they have 3 loops/strands at the top of the stitch. We’ll be
inserting the hook into just the one very back loop only which sits towards the back of the work. This ensures that two loops remain to the front of the work and creates a ribbed stretchy fabric.

To Work:

First decide if you want the hat long enough to be able to fold a brim over or if you prefer not to. This will determine how many stitches to crochet.

Make 30 chains (or for a hat without a brim make 25 chains)

Row 1: 1 half treble in second chain from hook and in each chain to end. [29 stitches (or 24 stitches for shorter version)]

Row 2: 1 chain (does not count as a stitch), 1 half treble in back loop only of first stitch and each stitch to end, turn.

Rows 3 – 30: Repeat Row 2.

You can do more or less rows to make the hat bigger (wider) or smaller but make sure you end on an even row number. This will ensure that after joining the seam the beginning tail of yarn will sit to the top of the hat.

To form hat:

Row 31: Fold work in half so first and last rows meet. We will now be creating a tube.
Join this next row to Row 1 by working 1 slip stitch through both the back loop of each st and each remaining loop from the foundation chain to the end. Pay attention to crochet into the first stitch of the row.

To close hat at top:

Using a strand of yarn in same colour, weave in and out around the top of the hat and pull tight to gather and close the top of the hat.

Pull tight and secure with a knot. Weave in all ends and turn inside out.

A bobble on top to finish is optional! Make a bobble in a contrasting colour or the same colour… so many possibilities! 😄

And there you go…. a super quick crochet hat! 🥰💙💙

Enjoy… and Happy Crocheting everyone! ❤️❤️❤️