Thursday, July 28, 2011

Pattern- The Basic BucketHead Beanie

As promised for a friend, here is that pattern.


Nothing fancy here, and I will add the earflap instructions soon.
The reason I have given this pattern the name 'BucketHead' is because it basically looks like a bucket as you build it. The first 5 rows make a flat circle (like the base of a bucket) and then the following 6-13 rows create the 'sides' of the bucket.

Following these instructions should make a hat with a circumference of around 50cm to fit a 2 year old child.

If you require a different size, I'll let you in on a little tip! Here are a-million-and-one head circumference charts. Find the average size of the head you plan to make the beanie for and divide the measurement by 4 (we are working on pi concept, which is 3.14, but seeing as crochet has a fair bit of give and stretch, lets just make it easy and round it up) With that figure in mind start crocheting your increase rounds (which are explained in rounds 1-5 in this pattern) but have a ruler handy.You have made the correct size when your work's diameter is to the figure you calculated. 
Heres an example:
I was aiming to make a beanie for a 2 year old with head circ of approx 50cm. So dividing by 4 is a diam of 12.5cm.
This picture is taken of the test beanie Im making after 5 round of increase. Its a little hard to see but it measures in at 13.5cm. Dont fear with being a cm out, were working with wool here, very forgiving!

You can then start with the no-increase rounds (as explained in rows 6-13 in this pattern)  As a finished beanie this example sits unstretched at 50cm, so it will fit nicely on a 2-3 year old little girl.

 16cm x 3.14 = 50.24cm diam
a little bit of math never goes astray to get a good result!


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This pattern is written in US terms, to translate to UK/AUS terms replace ‘dc’ with ‘tr’
You will need a 5mm (H) hook and double strands of 8ply yarn

Notes for reading pattern:
ch: chain
dc: double crochet (UK/AUS: tr)
sl st: slip stitch
st(s): stitch(es)


For those who may need a little help in reading the jargon below, when you read
’repeat**(number) more times’
It simply means look for the two asterisks in the instructions and repeat whatever is written between those asterisks as many times as instructed.


Pattern:

Start with a magic loop as described here (there are lots of youtube demonstrations too!)

Or an alternative start is ch 4 and sl st into 4th ch from hook.

Round 1: ch 2, (this is to be counted as the beginning dc in every round) make 11 more dc into the ring. Sl st into the 2nd ch of the beginning dc. Pull ring tight if using magic ring technique (12sts).

Round 2: ch2, dc 1 into the same st, (this counts as the first increase and every increase round should start the same) *do 2 dc in next stitch*, repeat ** 10 more times. Sl st into the 2nd ch of the beginning dc. (24sts)

Round 3: ch 2, dc 1 into same st, 1dc in next st, *2dc in next st, 1dc in next st*, repeat ** 10 more times. Sl st into the 2nd ch of the beginning dc. (36sts)

Round 4: ch 2, dc 1 into same st, 1dc in each of the next 2 sts, *2dc in next st, 1dc in each of the next 2 sts*, repeat ** 10 more times. Sl st into the 2nd ch of the beginning dc. (48sts)

Round 5: ch 2, dc 1 into same st, 1dc in each of the next 3 sts, *2dc in next st, 1dc in each of the next 3 sts*, repeat ** 10 more times. Sl st into the 2nd ch of the beginning dc. (60sts)
Increase rounds completed- If you desire a larger hat, increase for as many rounds as you require.

Round 6-13: ch 2, dc 1 into same st, then make 1 dc in each st all the way round. Sl st into 2nd ch of the beginning dc. (60sts )

Be sure to count your sts on these rounds, you don’t want to accidentally add 1 more dc than what is in the previous round. It may seem that there is room for 1 more dc before the end, but if you’ve already made your 60 sts (which includes your beginning dc made from ch2 ) skip it!
I find the join looks straighter doing it this way.

Fasten off and weave in ends.

That is it! Easy peasy!

Edited to add pictures of 2 little girls in their jammies modeling a version of the beanie.
Miss 16 month old who wouldn't stand still for a second


Miss 3 year old who posed straight away

x Emma

1 comment:

Jo-Ellen said...

awesome Emma! Thanks a million, I'll give it a go! x