Yes, I’m still stash busting. I had yellow and blue yarn of the same weight, so decided to try a spiral crochet hat. (Yellow and blue are Down Syndrome awareness colors.) I really like the technique! It makes a seamless round, is easier to keep track of the start of a row, and the center looks neat! This particular stripe is rather bold, but I’m definitely going to try this again with other yarns.

For this hat I chose a half double crochet (hdc) stitch because I think it comes out softer and more dense. Crocheting a flat circle with hdc is a bit trickier than with double crochet. I increase by odds, rather than singles, until the circle is larger. Each hat has been slightly different on the count because I’ve used different yarn weights and hook sizes. For this two color hat, I put 2 single crochet and 3 hdc of each color in the magic circle, this helps the center spiral stay neat. The first row (which is half of each color), I did an increase in all 10 stitches. The second row I increased in one stitch, and hdc in the next. This is the same for the start of a double crochet circle. In the third row it deviates: I increase in one stitch and hdc in the next 3. Fourth row increase, then 5 hdc. (See? 1, 3, 5… odds.) This works for awhile, then I usually have to go back to just adding 1 hdc for each round.

I finished this hat cloche style. From the circle to the tops of the ears I did no increases, then I increased only in the blue row. Although I stitched the whole hat one color around at a time, I finished with the colors ending on opposite sides of the hat, and decreased stitch size (hdc, sc, sl) to blend in the end.

Yup. The cat is “modeling” the hat.

I’m still working through my stash of yarn. I found some left over blanket yarn and tried for one of those long stocking caps, but in double crochet. It did not come out as I expected. It does not lay over, but stands up straight like a gnome hat. Huh. I think this one goes in the dress-up box.

And yes, more hats. These berets are even easier! (American notation.)

Use a hook size recommended for the yarn you are using. Row 1: Crochet 10 double crochet (dc) in a magic circle. Slip stich (sl) in first dc. Row 2: Chain (ch) 2, dc in same stich, 2 dc in each stitch around, sl in first dc. 20 stitches in round. Row 3: ch 2, dc in same stitch, dc in next stitch, 2 dc in following stitch, repeat, sl in first dc. 30 stitches in round. Row 4: ch 2, dc in same stitch, dc in next X (X=2) stitches, 2dc in following stitch, repeat, sl in first dc. 40 stitches in round. Repeat Row 4, increasing the X number each round. Make rows until the diameter of the circle is 2-3” larger than the hat size. (A size 7 hat has a 7” diameter. For hats for me, I found that my handspan is also my hat size.)

Return: berets should lie flat when not worn, so now we will work in a similar manner but with decreases. Next Row: using the X value from the last row, ch2, dc in next X stitches, dc 2 together, repeat, sl to join. For each following row, decrease X by 1. Continue to add rows until the circle is slightly smaller than the desired hat size. Bind off.

Yup, still busting through that stash. But I have to mix it up or I get distracted, so here is a cloche style hat based on my beanie hat. (American notation.)

Use a hook size recommended for the yarn you are using. Row 1: Crochet 10 double crochet (dc) in a magic circle. Slip stich (sl) in first dc. Row 2: Chain (ch) 2, dc in same stich, 2 dc in each stitch around, sl in first dc. 20 stitches in round. Row 3: ch 2, dc in same stitch, dc in next stitch, 2 dc in following stitch, repeat, sl in first dc. 30 stitches in round. Row 4: ch 2, dc in same stitch, dc in next X (X=2) stitches, 2dc in following stitch, repeat, sl in first dc. 40 stitches in round. Repeat Row 4, increasing the X number each round. Make rows until the diameter of the circle is the hat size. (A size 7 hat has a 7” diameter. For hats for me, I found that my handspan is also my hat size.) For the next rows, dc in each stitch, sl to join. Make enough rows to reach the top of the ears.

Flare: Using the X number from your last increase round, repeat Row 4. Next Row: dc around, sl to join. Repeat these two rows until you reach the desired length for the hat. Flares that get too long can always be pinned up with a cute pin!