Crocheted Toque/Beanie

    Good morning everyone! I'm in a right good mood today because guess what?! I got my first ever comment just a few hours ago! Thank you to Cosmo Dk! You've made my day! Haha that rhymes! Alrighty, So yesterday I posted a mini crocheted heart pattern. Today I thought I'd post another pattern, this time for a very simple and easy crocheted hat. This is just a basic toque/beanie. You can add decorations to it like the little hearts you might have made from my last post. Or you could crochet up some little flowers, or just simply add stripes by changing the colour here and there. This might be great to crochet as a gift for someone for Valentine's day, it only takes a few hours. :) After finishing the hat I decided I wanted a stripe so instead of taking some of the rows out and changing colour I just wove in a green yarn through the holes of a row twice and the effect is pretty good. Here's a picture of the end result:

Size:
It should fit an average teenager or adult's head. I will add an optional round for those of you making it for someone with a slightly larger head (this will come after R6).


Materials: 
-Bulky yarn, a 6 or 7 wpi. 
-10mm crochet hook
-Tapestry needle (big fat sewing needle)


Stitches and abbreviations:
ch: chain
sl st: slip stitch
sc: single crochet
st: stitch


Instructions:
R1: Ch 5, sl st into first chain to connect. Ch 1.
R2: Work 10 sc into the loop, join with a sl st into the first sc of round. Ch 1.
R3: Sc in same st, *2 sc in next st* repeat from * to * until end of round. Ss into first sc to join. Ch 1.
R4: Sc in same st, *1 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st* repeat * till end of round. Join. Ch 1.
R5: Sc in same st, *1 sc in next 2 stitches, 2 sc in next st* repeat * till end of round. Join. Ch 1.
R6: Sc in same st, *1 sc in next 3 stitches, 2 sc in next st* repeat * till end of round. Join. Ch 1.
This is how big it should look by now, you don't actually want it to be as big as the top of your head because it will end up too big. Maybe try finding a knitted toque that fits you and see how big the top is before the decreases started. However, for a larger size, continue with the row in brackets. 

(For larger size: Sc in same st, *1 sc in next 4 stitches, 2 sc in next st* repeat * till end off round, join, ch 1. If it is still not large enough, add another row but this time do 1 sc in next 5 stitches and 2 in next. This should definitely be large enough if you are using a Bulky or Super Bulky yarn.)
R7: No single crochet in same st! Now all you're going to do is 1 sc in every st around, join, and ch 1. 
R8: Repeat round 7 until hat is desired length. Cut the yarn leaving a 3' tail and pull it tight. Weave in the ends with the tapestry needle and you're finished! Yay!


Try making one for your partner or spouse for Valentine's day! Till next time!
                                             -Morgan

Crocheted Valentine Hearts

    Hey guys :) Its been a while. Sort of :P a week or so maybe? Well, I've just been busy reading this new book I got and crocheting little heart clips for my little cousins out on the East Coast. So I was going to give you guys a how-to for a simple toque/beanie pattern, but I figured since it is getting close to Valentine's day, why don't I teach you guys how to crochet little hearts instead?! They're pretty quick if you know how to crochet the simplest stitches. So here's the pattern:

Materials: 

-yarn: you can basically use anything, worsted weight is good if you want a sort of thick heart, but if you want a nice delicate and lacy looking one you could even use embroidery floss/friendship bracelet string.

-crochet hook: for worsted weight use no less than 4.5mm; for anything thinner, use a four, or if you're using embroidery string a 3.5 is good for a nice lacy look.

-tapestry needle (just a thick needle with a big eye)

stitches:

sc= single crochet

dc= double crochet

tc= triple crochet

ss= slip stitch

ch= chain

st= stitch

Pattern:

Start: Tie the yarn onto your crochet hook, ch3, ss to first st.

1: Working into the loop, dc, tc, dc. 3 sc, tc. 3 sc, dc, tc, dc; next ss into the loop, pull the yarn out and tight, next cut leaving a fairly long tail (about 3' long). Weave the ends in with the tapestry needle, or if you're going to attach them to something like clips, you can use the tail to sew it on with. And you're done! This is what they sort of should look like after you're done:






Hope you guys enjoy that, make some for a friend or family member for Valentine's Day! :)
Until next time!
                                         -Morgan <3


P.S.
Happy Valentine's day! <3