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Creating Beautiful Things in Life: How to Crochet a Properly Sized Hat

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Thursday, January 17, 2013

How to Crochet a Properly Sized Hat






Most basic Beanies or hats start of with a flat circle. The diameter of the circle determines the circumference
of the finished hat. The diameter of the circle is determined by the circumference of the head. In my previous post, I included a chart for the various sizes.

I crochet a hat to show you how to properly size a hat. I made mine to fit an infant 3 - 6 months. At this age the average infants head is a circumference of about 15 inches. My flat circle needs to be 5 inches.




If you are not a very experienced crocheter, getting a flat circle may sound a little intimidating but it is actually very simple. The formula I use depends a the stitch. If I crochet in a single crochet stitch I start with a circle of 6 stitches and evenly increase 6 stitches with every round. For half double crochet I start with 8 stitches and evenly increase 8 with every following round. For a circle with double crochet I start with 12 and increase 12 with every round. The yarn and hook size do make a difference. Worsted weight yarn can vary greatly size. With the thicker yarns, fewer increase rounds are needed. I do not join at the end of the row but I do use a stitch marker to mark the first stitch of every round on my increase rounds only. It gives a much neater finish without a seam showing.

The pattern I use is always the same. For instance if I work my circle with sc, rd. 1 would be 6. For round 2   I would have 2 stitches in every stitch of the previous round (12). Round 3: 1 sc in first stitch, 2 sc in next stitch, 1 sc in in next stitch, 2 sc in next stitch...(18). Rd 4: 1 sc in the first 2 stitches than 2 sc in the 3rd stitch continue in this pattern for the round (24).  Round 4: sc in first 3 stitches, 2 sc in next. sc in nex 3 stitches, 2 sc in next...(30). Continue in this pattern until desired diameter is reached.

Once you have the correct diameter of the circle continue without further increases until your hat measures the correct height. Since I am working on a 3 - 6 months size, my hat should be about 6 inches in height.






When measuring the final circumference I had exactly 14 inches. Since the hat needs to be about an inch smaller than the circumference of the head, I was right on the mark. At this point you can add a small border around the edges for a Beanie, or add ear flaps.  To show the proper positioning of the ear flaps I included a few more photos.




    
Ear flaps are always attached to the back half of the hat. The corners of the ear flaps meeting with the corners of your hat. Notice the small space between the ear flaps in the back. I could have made them a little bit smaller for this size. Once you have one ear flap finished, simply fold the hat in half with the corner of the ear flap meeting with the corner of the fold. Insert crochet hook in the opposite corner and work the same number of stitches to the back half of the hat.

Once your ear flaps are done, finish the hat with a trim. I usually go all the way around with one round or two
of single crochets. I forgot to take a picture of the finished hat but I have one with a model. You have to forgive the fit. My doll only measures about 12 inches in diameter so the hat is about 3 sizes to big. But it does give you an idea of the correct placement of the ear flaps.



Leave me a message or a comment if you need help with any of your projects. My next post will follow very soon. Finishing touches for your hats. How to make Pom Poms and braids. Also since Valentines day is less than a month away, I am trying to put some of my crochet heart patterns in writing. I will share them with you as soon as I can get them on paper. Stay tooned!



















41 comments:

  1. For the formula of making a beanie, how would you increase with hdc? You said by 8, but can you lay it out like you did with the sc? Also, I'm trying to get the circle to 5.25 inches, but it keeps cupping. I need a full pattern, for a beanie using hdc. I'm very new to crocheting, and trying to make a cabbage patch hat!! Thanks!

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    Replies
    1. Use the same formula she used for the sc. Rd 2. 2Hdc in all 8Hdc(16). Rd 3. 1hd in first st 2hd in next. (24)Just change the sc to Hdc in the pattern example she posted. Hth

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  2. This may be a silly question, but I've been using your sizing chart to know how big my circle needs to be. Is there a general rule as to how many stitches (sc, dc, hdc, etc) to start out with in order to end up with the right sized circle? Or do you just increase until its the right size, hoping that it doens't get too long in the process?

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    Replies
    1. For sc-start with 6 sc in beginning circle. For hdc-start with 8 sc in beginning circle. For dc-start with 10 dc in beginning circle.

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  3. My issue is more with getting the correct length. I find most patterns create a hat that's way too long. Any suggestions?

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  4. Do you have the pattern for the rest of the Deluxe Dragon with eyes, nose, mouth, fire? I love how that one looks. I would love to make it for my grandchildren. Thanks! Hope you have pattern.

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  5. I got my flat circle the correct size but when I start doing my rounds without increasing to get the length, the circumference continues to increase and the hat flares out instead of going straight down. Can anyone help?

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    Replies
    1. I would make sure to count your stitches when you have the correct size, then just make sure at the end of each round you continue to have the same amount of stitches. Hope that helps!

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  6. I am making.hays right now for 5 year olds. I neex to know correct length from center circle tp bottom of hat.

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    1. There is no correct length but according to a worldwide study, the average size from center to bottom is about 7.5 inches to 8 inches :)

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  7. I used dc..my hat is flat...how shall i correct it.. Pls help...

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  8. Any guidance for making a beret?
    I understand the diameter at the top, but how do I determine height for this?

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  9. Any guidance for when the beanie cups at the top? I crocheted two beanies with this pattern but I eyeballed the circumference. The finished product looks great and is worn comfortably, but the top of the hat cups like the tip of a condom (I cannot think of a better comparison). This look is obviously a little awkward, and doesn't go away when you yank on the beanie to fit more snug. Any advice is much appreciated!

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    Replies
    1. I have never had that happen before! Maybe make the hat a tad bigger so that the top of the hat sits on the top of the head instead of cupping? Or make sure you are increasing at the "correct" number of increases. If you increase too little it will probably do the thing you are talking about! So maybe check to make sure you are increasing correctly! I'm no expert for sure but I hope this helps!

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  10. I am wanting to sell hats but I am intimidated because every head is different. Will I be right on every time or will it sometimes be a tad big?

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    1. I too have made and sold hats and after I got the hang of it, I kinda just had "sizes". ex. Baby, toddler, small child, child, teen/adult. If you can get a measurement of the head and follow the flat circle "rule" then you should be pretty close. But most of the time if its for a child and it is a little big, parents are ok with that because they can grow into it!

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    2. This comment has been removed by the author.

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    3. I am determined to crochet hats :-) is there a particular size hook that you suggest on hats? Basically toddler/child. Most will be worsted 100% acrylic that I will make.

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    4. I use an H/8-5.00MM hook and I also use worsted acrylic yarn

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  11. I just wanted you to know tha I refer to your sizing chart for every hat I make! It has been so helpful and is spot on! Thank you so much for sharing your knowledge with the rest of us! It sure has made my life so much easier!

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  12. I just finished crocheting my first ever hat using this reference. :D But I'm a bit confused with the placement of the ear flaps. If I had to add bunny ears to the side of the hat, do I place the ears in the middle of the ear flaps or do I flatten out the hat and add to each corner(which would mean they align with the edge of each ear flap)? Please help me out!!

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  13. I like to crochet a hat for one year old baby. I read through your last post's chart. But how can I calculate the stitches to start with and how many stitches I need to increase for the hdc stitches? Because different size hook and different yarn will be another story.
    I bought the yarn is so fine, it said 23 stitches x 30 rows will be 4" square. And the hook should be 3.5mm. Can you teach me how to calculate how many stitches to start with and how many stitches to increase to reach the certain diameter?

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    Replies
    1. If your yarn needs hook size 3.5 mms first make a sample for yourself to see how many stitches you need to make a piece 4" by 4". If you crochet tight you may have more than 23 stitches to get 4", and if you are crocheting loosely then you may have less than 23 stitches. When you find out how many stitches you use to make a 4" in length you can calculate how many stitches you need in total for the desired circumference of the hat. For example, if your hat needs to be 20" in circumference then you multiply number of the stitches by 5. Example: 23*5=115. Or you can calculate how many stitches you make in 1" and then multiply it by how many inches you need. Let's say you need a 17" hat, then you divide 23:4*17=97.75. So you can make a 17" hat using 97 or 98 stitches. Hope it helps and good luck!😉
      Tina Forest
      crochetsensation.com

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    2. If your yarn needs hook size 3.5 mms first make a sample for yourself to see how many stitches you need to make a piece 4" by 4". If you crochet tight you may have more than 23 stitches to get 4", and if you are crocheting loosely then you may have less than 23 stitches. When you find out how many stitches you use to make a 4" in length you can calculate how many stitches you need in total for the desired circumference of the hat. For example, if your hat needs to be 20" in circumference then you multiply number of the stitches by 5. Example: 23*5=115. Or you can calculate how many stitches you make in 1" and then multiply it by how many inches you need. Let's say you need a 17" hat, then you divide 23:4*17=97.75. So you can make a 17" hat using 97 or 98 stitches. Hope it helps and good luck!😉
      Tina Forest
      crochetsensation.com

      Delete
  14. Your measurements worked perfectly
    Thank you so much.

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  15. I use your measurements for everything. Thank you so much!

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  16. do you slip stitch to join each round??

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  17. If we add earflaps does the length need to be shorter?

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  18. Will this formula work if you want to put cables on your hat?

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  19. Do you have a guide for making a hat from the bottom up? I like making the band first but I'm trying to use your chart for getting the length correct and determine when and how to start decreasing.

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  20. This comment has been removed by the author.

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  21. Can you help me with this one I am making a link (elf type hat) using a YouTube tutorial and at the beginning she mentioned that she had other sizes at the end but she only had baby sizes and I need one for an eight-year-old this is the video I'm using any idea how to increase it and to what? https://youtu.be/7bSTe_D6rcI

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  28. I managed to add ear flaps to the front and back of a crocheted beanie. Is there a clever way to remove them & reattach?

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