This is a pattern I made up as I went, to create a hat my niece could wear for more than three months. The finished product was a hat that could fit a seven-month-old and a three-year-old. This John Deere example is my second hat made from this pattern.
Infant to Toddler Hat
With the band folded in twice, this hat will fit an infant. As child grows, unfold the band to fit up till age 3 or 4 years.
•Two complimentary yarns, at least 1/2 a skeen each, size 4Medium
•5mm crochet hook
•Tapestry needle
Hat
Chain 5. Singe crochet into the first chain twice. Single crochet twice into each chain, making 10.
Increase with sc again to make 20.
Half-double crochet one row.
Increase with single crochet to 40. Half-double crochet one row.
Increase one third with single crochet: sc twice in one stitch, sc once in next stitch, sc once in the next; sc twice, once, once, etc. until row is completed. Radius should be 53 stitches.
sc 18 rows.
Tie off.
Hatband
With contrasting color, chain 5. sc into second chain from hook. Single crochet 53 rows. Slip stitch ends together to make a loop.
Slip stitch this band to the hat, matching stitches.
Ball
With the contrasting yarn, wrap around your palm 50+ times. Cut. Wrap another string of yarn around this bundle, thread through a couple times with tapestry needle and tie off TIGHTLY, leaving loose ends. Cut the 50+ loops on each end and trim to create the ball. With loose ends, tie onto the hat.
Finished!
The band can also fold inside to better fit smaller infants.
This just fits my 3 1/2 year old daughter.
This I made from a softer yarn. Folded up, it fits my infant niece.
It folds out just the same.
And fits infants and toddlers, alike.
If you try this pattern, please show us how it went!
