Newbie here, needs help with hat....!

cpht · 02-05-2010, 08:36 AM

Ok, I need help from a more experienced crocheter. When making a hat, and I'm just wondering as I'm going along how do I know when I have increased enough? Is it when the circle covers the whole top of my head, or just the crown or what? I ask because of this:
My first attempt at following a pattern for a hat was for my husband. I wanted to surprise him for Christmas. He opened it, and loved it! However his exact words were...."Man! This is really great work! I love it! This would have been great when I was about 8."

I don't want to make that mistake again! So...please help me.

harmonise · 02-10-2010, 11:16 AM

I guess it really depends on the type of stitch you're using and how much "give" it has. I've never been very good at increases myself so i try to find a pattern using the same type of yarn, know the circumerence of the intended head and use that pattern as a guide. my problem is making hats too loose so I know how you feel, fortunately my dh, who shaves his head, wears hats around the house almost constantly from october thru april and "likes to have a variety" or so he tells me :-)

edit: this is a GREAT pattern for making hats, there's both crochet and knit versions. I wish there was such a thing for making socks!!

weareborgswife · 02-10-2010, 07:49 PM

Well, never having used a hat pattern in crochet, I make the flat top part to cover most of the top of the head and then start slowly decreasing on the sides... trying it on the wearer or myself as I go to be sure it will work ok. The stretch of the yarn does have a lot to do with it fitting well... I made a loom hat with 3 strands of random acrylic red heart basic yarn and it is so stiff it hardly stretches at all and wouldn't even start to go on my dd's head.... same hat in different yarn and it fits great.

mamarose22 · 02-16-2010, 10:19 AM

I usually follow a pattern when making a hat. The general rule of thumb I use when making a hat using single crochet is: ch 4 or 5, join with sl st, ch 1, 6 sc in ring, rd 1) 12 sc, rd 2) 18 sc and continue increasing 6 st evenly until you have 60 st then the rest would depend on how you want the hat to look. Do you want it to be a close fitting hat, do you want it long enough to fold over a cuff, or do you want it te be more of a short beanie etc. So much depend on the style of the hat, the yarn you are using and the style of the hat.