How to Crochet a Hat

- without a pattern -


If you know how to crochet in the round, you can make a hat.

The easiest way to start crochet in the round is to chain 2, then make 6 single crochet in the second chain from the hook. This is more single crochet than will reasonably fit in a single chain, causing it to curve around. This will create the beginning of a small circle. The first stitch and the last stitch you made will be touching. Make your next stitch in the top of the first stitch. For the second round, you will want to make 2 stitches in each stitch of the first round. Since the first round was 6 stitches, the second round will be 12.

From this point on, you only need 2 basic concepts to create a hat shape.

1. If you want to flatten out, add stitches as your circle starts to buckle. If you add only a few stitches it will create a rounded dome shape. If you add more stitches it will be flat. Just add them as you like.
2. When you want to create the sides of the hat, make no increases. This will create a tube. The tube should be about half of the hat. This will cover your ears.

be fast

This is what I want to do.
This is Lily Chin. She won the title in the international speed crochet competition. If this video was a little longer you would see just how much she is getting done.
I can be fast frequently, but her starting row is remarkable. Once you have the first row, the crochet tends to behave itself. Crocheting into a solitary chain is more difficult because it moves a lot. It is harder to control.

Show Tomorrow!

This show is hosted by Distinguished Dobermans, Inc.

Our Lady of the Angels Parish
Holy Family Social Hall
256 44th Street
Lawrenceville, PA 15201

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I'm really excited because there will be dogs there. I'm not really looking for a dog, but these things really sometimes introduce you to the "perfect" dog. I don't have a fence, and I have rats, so that narrows the choices a lot.
I'm premiering a new item for this show. I've made a few flower bracelets. I've given some to students, and I have a bunch more for tomorrow. I wish I didn't have a regular job so I could make more stuff. It's really eating into my crafting time. But, since crafting doesn't really rake in the cash, I'll be keeping my day job. I would be much more productive if I didn't fall asleep on the bus every day.

daffodil bracelet

daffodil bracelet, originally uploaded by hairycarrot.

I gave this to a student. Surprisingly she wears it. I am surprised when my students like things I make. Generally we share no style.

Right after bacon I thought the next obvious choice was floral bracelets. The button can be hooked inside the flower. I have also made a zinnia, to be uploaded later. First I must finish my prom dress. Prom is tomorrow, and since I've been using a bacon theme for five weeks, in any class I can manage it, the dress was inspired by it. The reveal is tomorrow.

the bacon cuff

the bacon cuff, originally uploaded by hairycarrot.

The versatility of bacon with the convenience of jewelry.
People are already jealous.
Created with fd's Flickr Toys.

I started making these bacon cuffs just as strips of bacon, to illustrate the importance of bacon for the Spanish class I am subbing. The kids couldn't decide between "weird" or "awesome". They've been popular items to pass around either way.
Seeing one girl playing with it made me decide it would be a great cuff with a button. I immediately made one when I got home, and the next day, people were totally jealous.

baby rib socks

baby rib socks
Originally uploaded by hairycarrot

I made these baby socks for a friend at work. I followed up with a matching hat, which I forgot to photograph. The socks are knit, and the hat was crocheted.

I didn't wrap it or make a card - just stuck it in his mailbox. I don't know why.

How to crochet

How to crochet
Originally uploaded by hairycarrot

I was asked to demo crochet at I Made It Fashionable, a local roving artists' market. This installment was held at the brewhouse, and focused on fashion. There was a fashion show in the theatre, tables in the front gallery, and we had 4 demos in the side room.
I shared a table with Sara, between us covering knitting and crochet. EJ set up the popular shrinky dinks recycling station, and there was a lampworker making beads.
The event was, as always, incredible. The turnout was great, the venue was great, and people had a great time. Plus, someone had a tiny dog.

I brought finger puppets and skirts, and demoed crochet in a circle, since that is the basic concept for finger puppets. I made hats, using larger yarn and hooks. I got to teach one person crochet. People tend to look at it as "too difficult" but I'm also not the most outgoing person in the world. I could probably harrass more people into trying it, but I would feel mean. It's really not hard. I swear.

argh!

I can't find my crochet hooks. They are all together somewhere, lost to the move. The perfect pocket-sized tool is now an irritant due to its ease of hiding. I am so grumbly right now.