Free Crochet Hat Pattern - The Perfect V-Stitch Hat

Ahhhhh, I'm in love with my new  v-stitch hat!  This is so quick and easy it's sure to be my new go-to project for everything from baby showers to last minute holiday gifts. I love the texture and the fit and the ribbing and the soft yarn that I used . . . just everything about it. And I'm very excited to share it here on the blog for free, YAY!  As always, feel free to ask questions or point out the problem spots.  I try to answer every question as soon as possible.

Yarn: Largest size calls for less than one skein of Classic Elite Fresco in Sangria. Okay, can I just say this yarn is UH-MAZING! It's so soft and warm and scrumptious, I just want to snuggle with it (cuz snuggling's my favorite (yes, I love Elf! but I digress . . .)).  It's a 3 ply sportweight blend of wool, alpaca and angora.  Any sportweight yarn will work though.

Hook: G (4.25 mm)

Gauge: 5.5 V-stitch clusters and 9.75 rows is a 4 inch square.

Notes: This hat is very stretchy because of the flexible ribbing and because the v-stitch is so loose and airy.  This hat will stretch to fit those larger heads (like mine : ) and be a bit slouchy on smaller heads, although the ribbing will keep it snug.

Infant Size (about 15 inches around):
Hat
Rd 1: Ch 2, (dc, ch1, dc) 5 times in 2nd ch from hook, sl st to first dc of round to join. (5 ch 1 sp).
Rd 2: Ch 1, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in each ch1 sp around, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (10 ch 1 sp)
Rd 3: Ch1, [(dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp] 5 times, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (15 ch 1 sp).
Rd 4: Ch 1, [[(dc, ch1, dc) in each of next 2 ch 1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp] 5 times, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (20 ch 1 sp).
Rds 5-10: Ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (20 ch 1 sp).
Rd 11: Ch 1, 1 hdc in each dc and in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first hdc of round. (60 hdc)
Do not fasten.
Ribbing
Row 1: Ch 7, turn, 1 sc in 2nd ch from hook and in next 5 st. (6 sc), 1 sl st in next 2 hdc on last row of hat. 
Row 2: Ch 1, turn, sk over the 2 sl st you just made and work 1 sc in blo in each sc across. (6 sc)
Row 3: Ch 1, turn, 1 sc in blo of each sc across, 1 sl in next 2 hdc on last round of hat. (6 sc)
Repeat last 2 rows around the edge of the hat.
Fasten off and weave in your ends.
Here's a quick video I created to demonstrate this technique.

Kids Size (about 18 inches around):

Hat

Follow Rounds 1-4 for infant size

Rd 5: Ch 1, [[(dc, ch1, dc) in each of next 3 ch 1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp] 5 times, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (25 ch 1 sp).

Rds 6-13: Ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (25 ch 1 sp)

Rd 14: Ch 1, 1 hdc in each dc and in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first hdc. (75 hdc)

Ribbing

Follow instructions for ribbing for infant size except Ch 9 instead of 7.  Stich counts will be 8 instead of 6.

Adult Size (about 21 inches around):

Hat

Follow Rounds 1-5 for kids size

Rd 6: Ch 1, [[(dc, ch1, dc) in each of next 4 ch 1 sp, (dc, ch1, dc, ch1, dc) in next ch 1 sp] 5 times, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (30 ch 1 sp).

Rds 7-16: Ch 1, (dc, ch 1, dc) in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first ch 1 sp. (30 ch 1 sp)

Rd 17: Ch 1, 1 hdc in each dc and in each ch 1 sp around, sl st in first hdc of round. (90 hdc)

Ribbing

Follow instructions for ribbing for infant size except Ch 11 instead of 7. Stich counts will be 10 instead of 6.

Add a cute pom pom for extra fun, you'll definitely have enough yarn!  Enjoy!

Hurry up and SEW!!!

Last week was a big week in our household.  It started off with a fabulous new addition to my pattern offerings: I finally published the boys crew neck sweater pattern. It's features very simple construction with a top down spiral and set in sleeves.  It's seamless (of course!!), with a fabulous knit look stitch: hdc in the back bar.  Simple to work up and has such a classic boy look.  This may be my favorite pattern yet.

Photo credit

Photo Credit

 

On Wednesday, I attended our neighborhood school's kindergarten orientation. Yup, my teency baby girl who was just born yesterday will be going into kindergarten in the fall.  This was her YESTERDAY I tell you.

1 month old - first smile EVER!  And I caught in on film.

And now look at her!

4 years old. Just as smily as ever.

My goodness time flies.  And then it dawned on me . . . I only have 6 more months to make her some school clothes.  I still haven't cheated on my New Year's resolution and I'm not going to start now.  Yikes, 6 months flies in the blink of an eye. So last week I made her a bubble skirt and a pin tuck blouse from the Ottobre Autumn 2010 magazine.  Here's the outty out (as we call outfits in my house).

The top was made from some very pretty, but very horrible to work with poly blend rouched plaid fabric that was on super duper sale at Joann's.  I adore the colors but man it was tough to sew, partially because I couldn't get anything to press correctly.  Definitely won't use it again.  But do you see that placket? Yes, I, Sarah Lora, made that placket.  It took every ounce of sewing know-how I have but I did it.

Dang proud of that placket!!!

The skirt is made from some lovely cotton chambray fabric I picked up at Goodwill for $1 per yard. I got 4 yards, so there's plenty left over.  Gotta love thrifted fabric.  The bubble skirt was relatively simple to make, however, I did have to ask my husband how to sew the lining and shell together right sides together given that the zipper was already in place and attached to both pieces.  I know it sounds like it would be totally easy, but for me it was a mind-bending proposition. Luckily my husband has a degree in engineering! 

Yay!  So we got a few more pieces together for the fall!  I definitely want to try to make that shirt again with some regular cotton fabric.  Also am thinking of making this dress for summer time dress-up. Elena will go crazy for it!  She's way way girlier than I ever was!  I'm also working on a spring  crochet pattern that should be done very soon if I can ever pull myself away from the sewing machine.  Stay tuned!