Kids Pirate Beanie

Last week, my oldest son requested I crochet him a pirate beanie. Really? A pirate beanie? Yikes! I wasn’t sure my skills were quite up to that level yet, but I figured “Arrrr!, why not?” 

So in the spirit of pillaging and plundering, I began my quest to design a simple beanie pattern that was quick and easy. I also had to figure out how to crochet a skull and cross bones applique. The pattern below is what I came up with!

I think my favorite part of this pattern (besides the toothy skull) is the simplicity of this beanie. It works up easy and the result is a nice snug beanie for chilly autumn mornings.

Here in Idaho, Halloween night is usually pretty cold, so we do a lot of our trick or treating in and out of cars, creeping along the edge of sidewalks in our favorite neighborhoods.

The other option is to dress like the abominable snowman or Eskimos every year, and that gets old fast. It’s just too chilly for the little ones to walk around outdoors in the cold night air. So my other thought is: you could add some earflaps to this and use it in a pirate costume for Halloween, and keep little heads and ears toasty warm. I hope you like the pattern.

This beanie will fit kids, ages 4 – 10 years (about 21" circumference). See my note at the bottom to make this pattern smaller or larger.

Difficulty: Easy

Materials: Red Heart Yarn; Black, White

Hook size: H/5.00mm

Key:

CH = chain

SC = single crochet

HDC = half double crochet

DC = double crochet

TC = triple crochet

SL ST = slip stitch

SP = space

CC = change color

Instructions:

Rnd 1: Magic Ring, Ch 2 (does not count as stitch here and throughout pattern), hdc 10, sl st to join. (10 hdc) DO NOT TURN.

Rnd 2: Ch 2, 2 hdc in each st around, sl st to join. (20 hdc)

Rnd 3: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next st] repeat around, sl st to join. (30 hdc)

Rnd 4: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 2 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (40 hdc)

Rnd 5: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 3 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (50 hdc)

Rnd 6: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 4 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (60 hdc)

Rnd 7: Ch 2, [2 hdc in first st, 1 hdc in next 5 sts] repeat around, sl st to join. (70 hdc)

Rnd 8: Ch 2, hdc in each st around, sl st to join. (70 hdc)

Rnd 9 – 20: Repeat Rnd 8. Finish, weave in ends.

CC = White

Skull

Ch 12.

Row 1: Dc in 4th ch from hook, ch1, [skip next sp, dc, ch1] 2 times, dc 2 to end.

Row 2: Ch 3, turn. [skip next sp, dc, ch1] 3 times, dc 2 to end.

Row 3: Ch 1, turn. Sc 3, ch 4, skip 3 sp, sc 3 in last 3 sp to end.

Row 4: Ch 8, turn. Dc 2 in ch 4 sp from previous row, ch 8, sl st to last sp of previous row.

Row 5: Ch 1, turn. [Sc 2, hdc, dc 8] in ch 8 sp from previous row, hdc 2 in dc sp from previous row, [dc 8, hdc, sc 2] in ch 8 sp from previous row, sl st to last sp of previous row to finish.

Finish, leave about 16” tail to sew skull on to hat.

Cross Bones (make 2)

Ch 19, sl st in 3^rd ch from hook, ch 3, sl st in 3^rd ch from hook (same space as first sl st),

Row 1: sl st in each ch across (should be 15). Ch 3, sl st in 3^rd sp from hook, ch 3, sl st in 3^rd sp from hook (same sp as first sl st).

Finish, leave a 12” tail to sew bones on to hat.

Sew Applique

Decide on placement for skull and cross bones. I use quilting pins to hold my applique in place until I have it sewed; otherwise I find it shifts on me while I am trying to sew it on. Using a yarn needle and the tails, sew skull and cross bones to the hat. (See image for placement.)

Notes:

For a longer length or to add a little slouch, continue repeating Rnd 8 to desired length.

To make a smaller hat, stop increasing pattern at Rnd 5 or 6 and skip to Rnd 8, continuing with the number of stitches you created in previous round.

To make a larger hat, continue increasing pattern after Rnd 7 a few more rounds until desired circumference is achieved. Then continue from Rnd 8 (with the same number of stitches as last increase round) until desired length is achieved.

You are all done! Enjoy.

xx

Hand Size Chart

Hey Crochet Rockers,

While I was creating my seed stitch cuff (and a few other patterns I'll be adding soon) I scoured the internet for a hand size chart so I would know the average sized adult woman's hand and wrist. I took matters into my own hands and decided to create my own version to use as a reference chart and thought you might need one too!

Here is my hand size chart - Enjoy! (Keep in mind this is based on averages. Always measure for size if you are able to...especially babies.) I like having this chart and my Feet Size Chart just as a rule of thumb. It gives me starting place and I keep a copy in my crochet bag too. I've included a pdf version below for easier access.

Here is the PDF version.

xx

Seed Stitch Cuff

Hiya!

I came up with a simple new cuff last night while watching America's Got Talent. I had three things in mind as I started this project. I wanted to use this new heather gray yarn I bought on sale. I had some red buttons left from a a sweater I recycled back into yarn. And I wanted to practice the seed stitch. So I came up with the following pattern!

The cool thing about this cuff is that it can be created in just about any color, from solids to variegated, with all sorts of buttons as accent pieces. I especially loved the blood red button against the gray yarn. Also, the seed stitch looks really nice worked in the gray yarn. I hope you enjoy creating and wearing your seed stitch cuffs as much as I did and do.

Seed Stitch Cuff

Level: Beginner
Hook: H/5.00
Materials: Craft Smart Medium Weight Yarn in Gray (JoAnn's - I think?)
Key:
ch = chain
sl st = slip stitch
sc = single crochet

Ch 9.
Row 1: Sc in 2nd ch from hook, ch 1, sk sp, sc, ch 1, sk sp, sc, ch 1, sk sp, sc, ch 2, turn.
Row 2: [Sc in ch 1 sp, ch 1] 3 times, sc in last sp, ch 2, turn.
Row 3: Repeat Row 2 until cuff measures 8 inches, or desired length.

Button Hole
After you reach desired length, begin next row here:
Sc in ch 1 sp, ch 3, sk 3 sp, sc, ch 1, sc in last sp, ch 1, turn.
8 sc across to end. Finish, weave in ends.

Button
One opposite end from button hole, sew on a large button of your choice. See the images for placement. As always, if you need any help with the pattern please send me an email via the Contact page and I'll do my best to get back to you promptly.

Enjoy your trendy new cuff!

xx