Six days, 10 beanies

We've got a casual once-a-month 'Crochet Club' going (also called 'Craft Club' as not everyone crochets) and we got together on Tuesday last week. Kyle and I decided to use left-over yarn to make beanies that we could give away to people this winter who could do with warm headwear. No point in having yarn rotting away in a bag eh?

We each made one on Tuesday night and I've made one - or two or three - every day since. I've had a bag of yarn scraps to work through and it has been good fun. After the day spent in front of the telly yesterday watching Comrades, my tally is up to 10 beanies and I've got a bit of yarn left - maybe for another one or two.

Kyle and I have a great way to 'distribute' our beanies - more on this once we do it.

I'm feeling all beanied out but should get to the last two some time this week or over the weekend.

I've included a basic beanie pattern below.

I start with a magic loop. Alternatively you can make a circle with some chains and then crochet into this to start.
 Round 1: ch 2, 10 dc into the loop (10 stitches)
 Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each dc (20)
 Round 3: ch 2, 1 dc in first stitch, 2 dc in the next stitch (30)
 Round 4: ch 2, 1 dc in first two stitches, 2 dc in the next stitch (40) etc

The number of rounds depends on thickness of yarn and hook. Keep going until the round is not quite as big as the diameter of your head. Almost, not quite. Plop it on top of your head to check - looks really silly!

Then, dc in each stitch until desired length (to cover ears), without increasing. When you start the non-increase rows it will then beging to shape into a beanie - it won't always look like a placemat. If you make it longer then it turns into a slouchy-style beanie.

Then, to make the ‘ribbing’ for a good fit around the forehead I do two or three rows of sc with a hook one size smaller. sc into the back loop of the stitch to make it a little more decorative. Add embellishments like flowers or shapes just for fun.

I'm using a mix of yarn - what ever is in the bag. For thin yarn I double it up, using two strands at a time (feeding from the outside and the inside of the ball). I'm generally using 6mm to 8mm hooks. Double knit or chunky yarn goes quick quick. I probably do only four increase rows before starting the straight rows. I just put it on my head to gauge how far to go.

Finally, double crochet (dc) is different in UK and US 'language'. I do the 'logical' version (two/double pull through loops on hook)... yarn over, insert hook into the stitch to be worked, yarn over, pull through stitch, yarn over, pull through two loops on hook, yarn over, pull through two loops on hook.