I have made this child’s pumpkin hat several times around Halloween for children in my life. It takes less than one skein for yarn and just a few hours to make. This time I spent a lot of time on the written pattern.
Since I haven’t shared the pattern in previous class material, I will share the pattern with subscribers.
Your Free Pumpkin Hat Pattern Includes:
Detailed, easy-to-follow instructions for each round
Tips for adjusting size for newborns, babies, and toddlers
Optional curly stem for extra cuteness
Video tutorial for both right and left hand
Ask crochet questions right here at the website
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I’ve been obsessed with crochet diagrams and have downloaded hundreds of them (I am not exaggerating). Geometric designs appeal to me and crochet is particularly conducive to this style.
Patterns done in symbols allow me to visually see the completed design and I can read the pattern (and crochet) even when the entire pattern is written in another language. I’m not always sure what the language even is, but symbols allow me to interpret it much like notes in sheet music.
Using just symbols it would be possible to crochet these designs.
There is a common problem my crochet friends encounter even when a pattern is in English. You see, the U.K. side of the world and the U.S. side have different names for the same stitches. Who is right? I have to lean toward the U.K. side, because crochet originated in Europe before coming to the U.S. (as did my ancestors). However, I was born in the US and learned crochet in US terms, so that is what I still use. Whenever there’s confusion on the pattern, look at the country where the pattern is published. But even better is a graph – because the symbols are universal and the same no matter what names they’re given.
To help with the “code” symbols provide, I have a chart.
These are just the basic stitch symbols. There are crochet symbols for almost any stitch combinations you can think of! I love this crochet “language.” What do you think?
I love to crochet hats for two reasons. They are fast and, for the most part, only use one skein of yarn. Keep in mind the larger the hook and thicker the yarn, the faster it will work up. This makes hats an ideal item for craft fairs and online shops. There’s a lot of room for creativity too. Colors, shape, design and embellishments all combine to make a unique project with a lot of personality.
This easy spiral single crochet beanie hat uses increases to create the shape of the hat. For smaller sizes, use a smaller hook and lighter weight yarn. For a free copy of this hat pattern with links to a video demonstration, email me at Victoria@crochetclasswithvictoriacarrington.com and say free hat pattern! Then be sure to share a photo of your completed project so we can see your own personal touches.
To crochet an increase, crochet two or more stitches into the (one) stitch below. The abbreviation for increase in inc.
An example of a pattern will read: two dc in next dc (two double crochets in the next double crochet stitch below)
Or
3 dc in corner sp (all three double crochets are done in the space created by chains created in the previous row in the corner).
I’m going to focus on reading patterns, and abbreviations that can make instructions confusing.
By combining double crochet and the chain stitch, a graph or picture can be crocheted.
The grid above shows a double crochet into the stitch below, followed by a chain stitch (and skip the next stitch below). A double crochet into the empty space fills in the grid.
In this project we follow a pattern – using either the graph and/or the written pattern. I like the graph patterns because they can be interpreted without language – much like sheet music
If we are uncertain of one, we can check the other to be sure. To expand this basic pattern into multiples, you will need to do a little math. The pattern consists of double crochet stitches and chains.
Each Light Square = Dc, ch 1
Each Dark Square= 2 dc
18 stitches = 1 row
9 Rows
The abbreviation for stitch is St
Example: Dc in next st
The abbreviation for space is Sp
Example: Dc in next sp.
The abbreviation for skip is sk.
Example: Sk next st. Dc in next st.
Right Hand Instructions on Video
Here is the video for left hand crochet.
This is the same basic patter written out as a pattern.
Ch 22 or a multiple of 18 + 4 (for first dc and ch 1) to achieve width desired.
Row 1: Work dc in 5th ch from hook. * ch 1, sk ch below, dc in next ch* all the way across 8 times. Note: Repeat from * to * for each multiple of 18. Ch 4 (counts as dc, ch 1), turn.
Row 2: Sk first sp, *dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next sp,* 3 times. Dc in next three stitches. *Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc* 3 more times. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4 turn.
Row 3: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, *ch 1, sk next space, dc in next dc* twice. Work dc in next six stitches (7 dc). Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc 2 more times. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 4: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next space, dc in next 11 stitches. Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc, ch 1, dc in third chain of chain 4. two more times. Ch 4, turn.
Row 5: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, Dc in next six stitches (7 dc). Ch 1, sk next st. Dc in next seven stitches. Ch 1, sk next st. Dc in third ch of ch 4.Ch 4 turn.
Row 6: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next space, dc in next 11 stitches. Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc. Ch 1. Dc in third chain of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 7: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, ch 1, sk next space, dc 7 stitches. *Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc* twice. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 8: Sk first sp, dc in next dc, *ch 1, sk next space, dc in next dc 3 times. Dc in next 2 st (3 dc). Ch 1, sk next st, dc in next dc 3 more times. Ch 1. Dc in third ch of ch 4. Ch 4, turn.
Row 9: Sk next stitch, dc in next dc, *ch 1, sk next stitch, dc in next dc all the way across (8 times) with final dc in third ch of ch 4.Finish off.
My visit to the Iowa Sate Fair always includes a visit to Fabrics and Threads to see the crochet exhibit. This 2024 display was devoted to filet crochet and provides some wonderful examples.
I recently added a filet crochet section to my beginning course because It uses just two stitches – double crochet and chain stitch.
Examples of filet crochet
The bottom photo uses increases and decreases as an edging on each side and is mounted on a dark background; the one above it to the left has an edging.
The only challenge with filet crochet is that is it most often uses thread and a smaller hook, which is a little trickier than a thicker yarn and larger hook. This type of crochet can use a graph as a pattern to create pictures and letters. The base grid is formed with one or more double crochet(s) followed by one or more chain(s), leaving an open space. The design is created by filling the space with double crochets.
.Although these designs are most often done from a graph, written instructions would be similar to below::
Basic Mesh:
Abbreviations: Double crochet = dc Chain = ch Skip = sk (sometimes, you will see skip abbreviated as sk)
To begin a row chain ch 4 (3 chains counts as a dc and one chain is the ch 1 sp). Skip next sp. 1 dc in next st, ch 1, skip 1 ch, repeat dc in last last stich
This is a pattern shown in a grid.
Filet pattern on a grid
Each Light Square = Dc, ch 1 Each Dark Square= 2 dc 18 stitches = 1 row 9 Rows
There are a number of filet designs and letters out on the Internet, and you can even make your own designs to crochet using graph paper!
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