Monday 26 December 2016

A PLAID UNISEX SLOUCHY or BEANIE

crochet plaid unisex headwear

A PLAID UNISEX SLOUCHY or BEANIE

I saw this pattern shared on Facebook and I knew I *had* to make it.. and I do so love the whole idea. It’s so darn simple – just a mix’n’match of plaid colors with a simple double crochet stitch, and see what we can get!  I’ve made this for a really good friend who goes off trekking at the drop of a hat.. any chance he gets, he’s off.. and I thought a nice warm head is always a good thing.  I do hope he enjoys his Christmas surprise. 

Thank you for joining me.

In case you have just joined me, know that you can access all of my earlier creations by checking under ‘categories’ on the right hand side of this blog under “Labels”.  Then, for your convenience, follow me here or on Facebook, You Tube, Pinterest, Twitter or Instagram.

Check out all my social media handles at the bottom of this blog

Oh, and may I add that the fastest way to find any of my blogs is via Pinterest.


All my blogs can be printed.  Find the printer friendly (green) link at the bottom of this blog.  You can also hit Control P (or Command P for Mac) on your keyboard, and the blog will go directly to the connected printer.

Remember that you only print if absolutely essential.  Save paper – Save Our Earth. 


Do remember to add my blog URL when you make and show off your creation. 

Just copy the link on the search bar above - that's the blog URL.


To purchase this or similar yarn online, click here to buy your yarns online via Amazon.  While you will still pay the same, I may get paid by Amazon as well. 

This is a free blog - so do pay it forward for me.  Cheers.


I've decided to make this a larger slouchy, but just keeping it to the regular measurements given in the tables below, will keep it to a beanie size too. 

Materials used : Today I’ve used 3 skeins of the lovely Indian Oswal Cashmilon 4-ply yarn  with a 4 mm crochet hook (I have used red, maroon and black, just fyi)
You also need fabric glue ; embroidery needle 

In general : Use any yarn with a suitable hook to make these projects. 
For Indians : You can use Red Rose knitting cotton or Red Rose metallic cotton as well as Vardhaman acrylic yarns

International yarns :  Among the international yarns I have used , I’d suggest Aunt Lydia Cotton 10, Aunt Lydia Bamboo-Viscose 10, DMC Petra, Sullivans knitting cotton (Australia), Milford Soft, Hilaza Rustica Eclat , Alize cotton yarn and Alize bamboo yarn.


Stitches used :
Starting slip knot : Here’s how you start with a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/lJcqsVcs8cw 

Starting slip knot 1 or the Sloppy Slip knot : This is a neat new way to start your work without a slip knot.  https://youtu.be/YfC7KmGpifs

What is a chain stitch ? Here is an easy video tutorial https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXx5ukBjKkY

What is a slip stitch : Here is a neat video tutorial at https://youtu.be/weB3QNbA8Iw

Magic circle : To refresh your skill, please view this easy video https://youtu.be/ISC39yOqWro

Double Crochet : dc : yo, insert hk into st ; yo (3 lps on hk);
[yo, draw through 2 lps] twice.  One dc made. 
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/xdnjB27zpYo

Chainless start for Double Crochet : I dislike the ch-2 / ch – 3 start, and this is what I do to start my row of dc.
Check out the video at https://youtu.be/wskv3iTjRx0

Abbreviations used :
lp(s) : Loop(s)                  sc : Single crochet
dc : Double crochet         sp : Space                                           
sl-st : Slip stitch               ch : Chain
st(s) : Stitch(es)               hk : Hook
yo : Yarn Over
                                                           
                                   
Instructions : (Using U.S terminology)
Please note that I start all my rows with a ch 1, turning chain for ease.
Please check the top of this blog for easy video tutorials on all stitches used in today's pattern.
Please read through all my notes before you pick up your hook, so you know just where we're heading in our pattern.
In my patterns I work with the principle of stitch count and body measurement.  This means that you need to work the stitch count in pattern, till you get the measurement (length and/or width) that you need for your project. 

For this pattern, I have used the brilliant free pattern from Bethany of Whistle & Ivy  at http://www.whistleandivy.com/2016/12/messy-bun-plaid-hat.html  , and brilliantly written... and below is the inspirational photograph that got me kick-started on this creation.. Tell me that you can look at it and not pick up your hook n yarn ! ;)




The beauty of this pattern is that it is totally unisex and reversible too (depending on how neat you are with the pulled along yarn though).
The beauty is also shown really well with proper choice of colours. 

May I suggest here that you Google plaid colors and go first with the ‘tried-n-tested’ range – They have had an eternity to see which colours work, after all J

crochet unisex headwear

crochet plaid neckwear


So I’ve used the free pattern, but here are a few notes that I thought I’d add, mainly as our Indian yarns do not always give the gauge required by the patterns we are using.
a)   We start this lovely cap / beanie at the brim and then work our way to the top or crown
b)   Our brim is worked as a thin strip and is worked around the head – so if the number of repeats suggested by the designer do not work for you, just work till you have the length needed to go around the head of the person you are making this for – so the circumference around forehead.
c)     The pattern for the body works up in multiples of 6.  So if 72 sts as suggested by the designer does not work for you, just ensure you have in multiples of 6 when working that first round of sc, and then follow the instructions given.
d)   If you wish to have a cap in this pattern, and do not have the colours stated in the pattern sheet, may I suggest that you check the common Plaid colours, and then get a combination that works.  For this pattern you will need three colours.
e)    For the length of the hat from crown to brim – the designer has stated how many rows will work, but may I suggest that you look at the charts given above for the regular headwear sizes (in case you do not get gauge as given by designer) and work for that length accordingly.

Right then.. off you go to see the wonderful free pattern by Whistle and Ivy.

Have fun creating something beautiful and hope the recipient loves it too.

Enjoyed this ?? I sure did.. come back right here for more freebie patterns

If you're visiting me here for the first time, and have liked the experience, do add me to your mailing list (for your convenience) , and all my future free patterns will come straight to your mail box.  

I’d appreciate if you could credit my blog (and link the original pattern link) when you make your own creation.  Thanks.

Check out my awesome pins on Pinterest at https://in.pinterest.com/shyamanivas/


Join me on YouTube at http://youtube.com/shyamanivas

And on my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/Sweet-Nothings-Crochet/ for more patterns.

Do follow me on Twitter https://twitter.com/ShyamaNivas


Find me on Ravelry at ravelry.com/projects/shyamanivas/


Have a great day and see you soon. 

I have a few pieces of headwear already made, and just in case you want a dekho at those free patterns … here you go