The Criss Cross Crochet Beanie. You wanna make this one!

This post may contain affiliate links.*

A couple of weeks ago I was surfing through my crochet Facebook groups and ran across a post from Loops & Love  asking for pattern testers.  I've always wanted to be a pattern tester, but up to now just didn't really know how to go  about becoming one.  So, of course, I applied.

This began a surge of beanie making that hasn't stopped yet!

I absolutely love this pattern!  The different stitches give it great texture.  It appears a bit complicated, but is really so easy.  The stitches are simple, but the way they are combined is just brilliant!  And  the color combinations are endless.  You can find this awesome free pattern at  Loops & Love.
.

The first beanie I made was with Universal Yarn,  Classic Shades Frenzy.  The color is HARBOR LIGHTS.    After the fact I decided to add a pompom just for fun and because this beanie is a Christmas gift for a 4 year old.  (This PomPom Maker is awesome and very reasonably priced!)




The second one was crocheted from Red Heart Stripes.   (The same yarn Loops & Love used for her beanies.)   One skein was enough for about one and a half beanies.  So for the third beanie I used the remainder of the Stripes yarn and then searched through my stash to see if I had any yarn that would keep the continuity of the colors to finish off the beanie.  I think I came pretty close!



So now I'm on a roll!  My Pokemon kids, decided they all need Pokeball beanies, sooooo......I used this same beanie pattern with a few minor changes. These are crocheted from Red Heart worsted weight acrylic yarn.   The ribbing is the same as the original Criss Cross Beanie Pattern, but as I started the body of the hat I used a simple half-double stitch throughout the remainder of the beanie.  As I  neared the place where decreases needed to be made, I decreased in one row and crocheted in each stitch in the next row until I reached the top, where I finished off the beanie with a yarn strand woven through the final row of stitches and pulled tight.   I then secured the end of this strand inside the top of the hat and wove in the ends.   This pulls the top together nicely.   The 'button' is simply a circle with a row of black around the edge to finish it off.

As you can see, this pattern is extremely versatile.  Instructions for different sizes are included.  Oh, and did I mention that this beanie works up quickly?  You could easily make one in a few hours time, even if you work slow like I do.


So hop on over to Loops & Love. and make everyone on your Christmas list one of these great beanies!  You'll be glad you did, and so will they!

Blessings!
Reny 

*We are a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn a small fee if

you purchase by clicking on a product link.  Hey, it helps pay the bills!

Crochet Pokeball Beanie for Our Littlest Pokemon Master

Our youngest grandson, Bentley, has been playing Pokemon since before he was born!  His momma and daddy and big brother Blane got lots of exercise prior to labor and delivery.  And they all still go out as often as they can to add more Poke Characters to their collection.   They must have hundreds by now!

The extent of my own Pokemon hunting has been following around my 10 year old grandson, Sam, as he 'taught' me how to play the game.  I'll tell you, he's a lot better at it than I am!

But one thing I can do is make things from yarn!  So I designed this adorable little beanie for Bentley.  While there are several similar beanie patterns out there, this one was designed especially for an infant in mind.  The yarn is soft and a little stretchy and the stitch is close for comfort and warmth.

Here is the pattern, designed for a baby's head. 

 Before I began, we measured the circumference of Bentley's head and used that measurement as my gauge.  The ribbed band on the hat needed to be about the same length as Bentley's head.  In his case, that was 16 inches.

This beanie is made from the band upward to the top.  I used single crochet stitches throughout.  The beanie is made from baby or sport yarn.  I just used what I found in my stash so I can't give you a brand name on this.  I used a G or 4mm hook.  You will also need a yarn needle to stitch on the button and to weave in ends.

Hat band:

1.With white yarn chain 8.  Sc in 2nd chain from hook and remaining 6 chains for a total of 7 sc.

2-72.  Sc in each stitch back loop only.  Chain 1 and turn.  Using the back loop on the band is what gives it the ribbed texture and a very neat look.   (Your band may need more or less rows depending on your head circumference measurement.)  Remember that the stitch count may be different from what I have listed if your measurements are different.

When your band is the length you need put the two ends together being careful not to twist it and slip stitch the ends to one another.  Do not fasten off yarn!  Turn the band so that the slip stitching is on the inside.  

Hat:

1.  Now sc in each row of the band to form the first row of the hat.  (72)  I use a running stitch marker to keep track of my rounds.

2-7.  Sc in each stitch.

8-10.  Change to black yarn.  Sc in each stitch.

11.  Change to red yarn.  Sc in each stitch.

12-13.  Sc in each stitch.

14.  *Sc in 7, dec*  (64)

15.  Sc in each stitch.  (64)

16.  *Sc in 6, dec*  (56)

17.  Sc in each stitch.  (56)

18.  *Sc in 5, dec*  (48)

19.  *Sc in 4, dec*  (40)

20.  Sc in each stitch.  (40)

21.  *Sc in 3, dec*  (32)

22.  Sc in each stitch.  (32)

23.  *Sc in 2, dec*  (24)

24.  *Sc in 1, dec*  (15)

25.  *Sc in 1, dec*  (10)

Fasten off leaving a long tail to sew top closed.  Thread the tail onto a yarn needle and weave the tail through the sc stitches of the last round.  Pull the yarn tail fairly snug so that the hole at the top is pulled closed.  Secure the yarn tail with a couple of stitches inside the hat to secure.  Weave in the end.

Button:

1.  With white yarn  make 6 sc in a magic ring.

2.  Increase in each stitch.  (12)

3.  *Sc in 1, inc*  (18)

4.  *Sc in 2, inc*  (24)

5.  *Sc in 3, inc*  (30)

Change to black yarn.

6.  *Sc in 4, inc*  (36)

7.  *Sc in 5, in*  (42)

Fasten off yarn leaving a long tail to stitch button to front of hat.  Line the button up as pictured and stitch securely to the front of the hat.

Your infant Pokemon Beanie is finished!

If you enjoyed this little free pattern and want to be sure that you don't miss new things coming up, click here  to receive updates.

Blessings!

Reny