How to: Make Any Size Hat

If you just want to make a basic hat or are trying to make a pattern for one, here's how to do it.

Step 1: 12 dc (or sc or whatever size stitch you want...I'll use dc here) in a magic ring
            OR
           Ch 4, join with slip stitch to first ch, 12 dc around
Step 2: Ch 3 (counts as first dc), dc in same dc, [2 dc] in each around
Step 3: Ch 3, dc in same dc, dc in next dc, [2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc] around
Step 4: Ch 3, dc in same dc, dc in next 2 dc, [2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc] around
Step 5: Ch 3, dc in same dc, dc in next 3 dc, [2 dc in next dc, dc in next 3 dc] around
Step 6: Ch 3, dc in same dc, dc in next 4 dc, [2 dc in next dc, dc in next 4 dc] around

Use this pattern of increasing until your circle reaches the following diameters (courtesy of Crochet in Color):

*Remember diameter is all the way across through the center of the circle.

Age                                    Diameter of circle

Newborn                                      4 inches

3-6 months                                   5.5 inches

9-12 months                                 6-6.5 inches

24 months                                    6.5-6.75 inches

Toddler and small child                  7 inches

Adult woman                                7.25-7.5 inches

Once you've reached the diameter for the size you want, dc in each around until you've reached the following length:

Age                                          Finished Length

Newborn                                       5 inches

3-6 months                                    6-6.5 inches

9-12 months                                  7 inches

24 months                                     7-7.5 inches

Toddler and small child               7.5- 8 inches

Adult woman                                8.5-9 inches

Large adult                                    10 inches

You can continue to dc (or sc or whatever stitch you decided to do) in each around until you've reached your length and stop there, or a nice finishing technique would be to fpdc or fpsc for the last inch or 2.

Free Pattern: Chunky Newborn Hat

I've recently become obsessed with chunky yarn.  I bought a bunch of it but then realized how expensive it is to actually make anything big with it, so I went in search of smaller projects to do with it.  Here's a pattern I found on another blog (here) that is really simple and really fast - like really, really fast.

I'd recommend making your stitches a little looser, at least at first, otherwise it'll end up really stiff.

I used Michael's Loops & Threads for the cream one and Lion Brand Hometown USA for the burgundy one.  Any super bulky yarn will work. 

Use a P or N crochet hook.

Ch 3, Sl st in 1st ch to join,

R1: ch 1, 5 sc around, sl st in 1st ch to join.

R2: ch 1, sc in same st *2 sc in each st* around, sl st to join
R3: ch 1 sc in same st * sc in next st, 2 sc in next* around, sl st to join
R4: ch 2, hdc in same st, *hdc in next 2 st, 2 hdc in in next* around, sl st to join
R5-7: ch 2, *hdc in each st* around, sl st to join
R8: ch 3, *sk 1 st, dc in next st, ch 1* around, sl st in 2nd chain to join.
Weave in ends, run ribbon through spaces between dc's, and tie a bow.

Free CROCHET Cable "Knit" Tutorial

Update:  I finally actually tried the pattern, and.........................it's great!  Finished the hat no problem.  I did get hung up in one area..The third set of instructional photos I thought was meant for row 7, but the worded instructions for that round were different than what the pictures were saying.  I figured out the pictures were actually for row 8, and I was to follow the worded instructions for row 7.  I made one of these using worsted weight yarn as suggested and it's pretty thick.  I wanted it to be a bit thinner so I used Patons Lace Sequins on my next one and I liked that look a little better.

Original Post: I love the cable knit look, but as the name says, it's a knit technique.  Once upon a time I bought a pattern that was for a cable knit item, but using crochet.  I was totally confused and had no idea what I was doing so I gave up.  Recently, I came across this tutorial on how to do it.
Even if you don't want to make the hat, this is a really helpful cable "knit" crochet tutorial that can be applied to other projects.
Here it is:

http://www.rheatheylia.com/index.php?page=patterns&id=8

Bubble Stitch Crochet Hat

Love this pattern!  Here are a couple hats I crocheted using a bubble stitch.  Really easy and goes really fast!
They are for sale in my Esty shop (http://www.etsy.com/shop/kelyseboutique)

Or here's a link to buy the pattern (which is not mine): http://www.etsy.com/listing/101936271/popcorn-slouch-beret-crochet-pattern?ref=shop_home_active