Saturday 12 May 2018

BERRY BEANIE


free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,
BERRY BEANIE
Pixie cap

This really cute beanie is a combination of post stitches and simple double crochet stitches to give this lovely furrowed effect.  The beauty of post stitches is that it gives you a feature on both sides and both are raised features. 

I am not sure if this pattern has been written up anywhere else.  This is something I dreamed up and consider this my original pattern. 

While this project has been made for an adult, I have given ideas for how one can make it to any size.  

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Materials used : Today I’ve used one ball of Knit & Purl acrylic 8 ply knitting yarn (that I purchased in Australia) with a 4.5 mm crochet hook ; fabric glue ; embroidery needle 

For Indians : You could use Anchor , Red ros ; Red rose metallic or unbranded  knitting cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns

The yarn used today is not specific to this pattern.
You can use any yarn with a suitable hook to make this project to any size.
International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used in this thickness, I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.

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General yarn info : You can use any yarn to make this project.  
I chose this yarn for its softness & beautiful colour.

Skill level : Intermediate.  This pattern uses post stitches.

Abbreviations used :
sc : single crochet                 dc : Double crochet
ch : chain                               ch-sp : chain space
sp : space                              rep : Repeat
hk : hook
fpdc : Front post double crochet

Stitches used :

Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 


Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs 


How to hold your yarn in crochet : https://youtu.be/FwOlCbGdbqY


What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw


What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY


Single Crochet : Sc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (2 lps on hk); yo, draw through both lps.  One sc made.  Check out the video at https://youtu.be/ghACqBpA-3k

First stitch for Single Crochet : This is how I like to start my row of sc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/6pVYRfsf4_M

Half Double Crochet : Hdc :  yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk) ;
yo, draw through all 3 lps.  One hdc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/sDiELJdB2Dg

Chainless start for Half Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 start, and this is what I do to start my row of hdc. Check out the video at https://youtu.be/lWXpl1KdbZ8

Front post single crochet : fpsc :  Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch on the row below.  Here is an easy video tutorial for the fpsc at https://youtu.be/OQa8YLpkdXs

Back post single crochet : bpsc : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch of the row below. Here is an easy video tutorial for the bpsc at https://youtu.be/L1K_MMLl-D4

How to seamlessly crochet in rounds : When working with head wear, this is a really neat way to seamlessly end each round.  Here’s an easy video tutorial to show you how to this at https://youtu.be/ISBZK7Du7yE   

Here is a sizing chart for general head sizing :

Whipstitch to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the whipstitch at https://youtu.be/wZ-9LNzftMA

Invisible join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the embroidery needle and whipstitch to get an invisible join at https://youtu.be/a6XZQ6VzJFM

Single crochet to join : Here’s a quick tutorial on how to join using the single crochet at https://youtu.be/6FXoW_47_dI


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Instructions using U.S terminology
Please note that I start all my rounds with a ch 1 turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for video tutorials of all the stitches used in today’s pattern.
Please note that I take a lot of trouble to give loads of tips through my pattern sheet, so please read through the full sheet before you pick up your hook n yarn.

free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,

My client wanted a pixie shaped cap and I got that by starting with 6 dc.  IN case you want a ‘flatter’ top, start with 8 dc.  The calculations and pattern stay the same.  As always, you will work this for the head circumference you need – so this means that you can make this cap to any size using any yarn with a suitable hook.
The shape of the pixie cap is ideal to pop on a lovely large pompom (which as you can see, my client did not want)

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk); 

[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made.  

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo 


Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc. 

Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Start Round 1 : with a magic circle and 6 (or 8) dc in that circle.  
 Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.
Note : I have started with 6 dc and these instructions are for what I have done.

free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,

If you start with 8 dc, you will get a flatter top, but your increases will be faster, so keep note that your circumference grows faster.

From our very next round, we will start on our post stitches.  

Front Post Double Crochet : fpdc : Post stitches are stitches worked around the post of a stitch of the row below.  

How to work the fpdc :  yo, hk into sp between posts of st from row below – going from back of stitch, around st and into the front of the st ; yo, pull yarn through the sps (3 lps on hk), (yo & pull through 2 lps) twice.  One fpdc complete 

View the video at https://youtu.be/9tL5XiqKi14



Round 2 : (Increase round ) : 
2 fpdc around the 1st dc and in each dc all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st dc.

In the following increase round, we will work both dc and fpdc.  
At the end of this round, you should have three times as many stitches as you started with.
We will be working our dc in the space between two stitches.

Round 3 : (Increase round ) : 
fpdc around the 1st st ; 
dc in the space between this st and the next st
fpdc around next st ;
*fpdc around the next st ; 
dc in the space between this st and the next st
fpdc around next st* ;
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

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Round 4 : (Increase round ) : 
fpdc around the 1st st ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
fpdc around the next st ;
*fpdc around the next st ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
fpdc around the next st* ;
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,

Check that your hat circumference.  This should be about right for a new born – 6 months old.  
Do remember that the circumference of the hat will depend on the yarn / hook used as well as the tightness / looseness of your yarn.

Please check the top of this blog for a sizing chart and the ideas below as well
1. Hat circumference = measure around the head just above ears and subtract one inch for a nicely fitted finished hat.
2. Crown width = (this is a flat circular top of the hat) you need to divide hat circumference by 3.14 (pi).
3. Hat height = Head circumference / 10 x 4.

So you need to measure circumference of the head (round head measurement) and keep checking the outer circumference of your work.  
There is another trick for measuring circumference (without running your measure tape all around the edge of your circle as you are working). 
This works for a cap that you are working top down, from the crown of the head.
It works by dividing your round head measure by pi (3.14). 
So say your head measurement is 22, divide 22 by 3.14 = 7.  
Remember when calculating diameter, you must account for the stretch of your yarn too.
So once the ‘flat portion’ for the crown (or the first few rounds while you are still increasing) of your cap is 7” diameter, you can stop increases and start increasing just the length (without increasing stitches for the round)
Right then, back to the pattern sheet.

Round 5 : fpdc around the 1st st ; dc in the next 2 dc ; 
fpdc around the next st ;
*fpdc around the next st ; dc in the next 2 dc ; 
fpdc around the next st*
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,

If you are working on a newborn – 6 m baby cap, you will continue rep Round 5 till you have the length you need for your cap.  Check above for head sizing information

Round 6 : (Increase round ) : 
fpdc around the 1st st ; fpdc around the next dc ; 
dc in the space between the 2 sts ; fpdc around the next dc ;
fpdc around the next st ;
*fpdc around the next st ; fpdc around the next dc ; 
dc in the space between the 2 sts ; fpdc around the next dc ; 
fpdc around the next st* ;
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,
Check that your hat circumference.  This should be about right for a toddler. 

Round 7 : fpdc around the 1st 2 sts ; dc in the next dc ; 
fpdc around the next 2 sts ;
*fpdc around the next 2 sts ; dc in the next dc ; fpdc around the next 2 sts*
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,
If you are working on a toddler cap, you will continue rep Round 7 till you have the length you need for your cap.  Check the top of this blog for head sizing.

Round 8 : (Increase round ) : 
fpdc around the 1st 2 sts ; 
2 dc in the next dc ; fpdc around the next 2 sts ;
*fpdc around the next 2 sts ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
fpdc around the next 2 sts* ;
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,

Round 9 : fpdc around the 1st 2 sts ; dc in the next 2 dc ;
fpdc around the next 2 sts ;
*fpdc around the next 2 sts ; dc in the next 2 dc ; 
fpdc around the next 2 sts*
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

Round 10 : (Increase round ) : 
fpdc around the 1st 2 sts ; fpdc around the next dc ; 
dc in the space between the 2 sts ; 
fpdc around the next dc ; fpdc around the next 2 sts ;
*fpdc around the 1st 2 sts ; fpdc around the next dc ; 
dc in the space between the 2 sts ; fpdc around the next dc ; 
fpdc around the next 2 sts* ;
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

If you are working on a teenager cap, you will continue rep Round 9 till you have the length you need for your cap.  Check the top of this blog for head sizing.

Rounds 11 & 12 : fpdc around the 1st 3 sts ; dc in the next dc ;
fpdc around the next 3 sts ;
*fpdc around the next 3 sts ; dc in the next dc ; 
fpdc around the next 3 sts*
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,

Round 13 : (Increase round ) : 
fpdc around the 1st 3 sts ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
fpdc around the next 3 sts ;
*fpdc around the next 3 sts ; 2 dc in the next dc ; 
fpdc around the next 3 sts* ;
rep *to* all around.

Round 14 : fpdc around the 1st 3 sts ; dc in the next 2 dc ;
fpdc around the next 3 sts ;
*fpdc around the next 3 sts ; dc in the next 2 dc ; 
fpdc around the next 3 sts*
rep *to* all around.
Join with a sl-st to the 1st st.

For a full sized adult cap, rep Round 14 till you have the length you need for your cap. 

Just for a small finish, I ended with a row of crab stitch or reverse single crochet.

Crab Stitch or Reverse Single Crochet stitch :
 Here’s an easy video tutorial at https://youtu.be/cG3crwyHPnk

free crochet pattern, free crochet beanie pattern, free crochet pixie cap pattern, front post double crochet stitch, fpdc, post stitch, berry beanie, 8 ply acrylic yarn, Knit & Purl yarn,

I am pretty sure you love the cute pixie cap you have created. 

If you decide to add on a pompom, check this link https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjxJFcm16r0

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