Create your own beautiful and stylish hat with this unique crochet pattern! Inspired by a detailed tutorial, this design guides you through crafting a hat featuring the eye-catching “crocodile stitch,” also known as the “scale stitch.” With instructions to adjust the size for babies, girls, and women, this is a fantastic project for an intermediate crocheter who wants to make a personalized accessory with a special touch.
Skill Level: Intermediate (familiarity with foundation chains and treble crochet recommended)
Finished Size (Approximate):
- Varies based on the number of increases and rounds.
- Babies: Make increases up to a diameter of 4.1 inches (10.5 cm).
- Girls (3-7 years old): Make increases up to a diameter of 5.5 inches (14 cm). This is the size shown in the video.
- Teenagers & Adults: Continue increasing as needed until the diameter fits the wearer.
- Size can vary based on yarn, hook, and tension.
Materials You’ll Need:
- Yarn: Approximately 170g of a worsted-weight yarn.
- A soft, durable yarn that creates a firm fabric, such as a worsted-weight cotton, cotton blend, or acrylic, would be ideal.
- Crochet Hook: A 5.0 mm crochet hook (or a hook size appropriate for your chosen yarn).
- Pearls or Beads: For decoration.
- Tapestry Needle: For weaving in ends and attaching pearls.
- Scissors
- Stitch Marker (Optional): To mark the beginning of rounds or specific stitches.
Gauge (Crucial for Sizing!):
Achieving consistent gauge for the base of the hat is crucial to ensure it fits correctly. Work a swatch to ensure your stitches are not too loose or too tight. If your fabric is too loose, go down a hook size.
Abbreviations (US Crochet Terms):
- ch: chain
- sl st: slip stitch
- sc: single crochet
- dc: double crochet
- tr: treble crochet
- st(s): stitch(es)
- MR: Magic Ring
- FO: Fasten off
Let’s Crochet Your Crocodile Stitch Hat!
This hat is constructed by first crocheting a flat circular base, then working the unique crocodile stitch to create the main body, and finally adding the finishing touches.
Part 1: The Hat Base & Increases
The base of the hat is a simple circular piece worked in rounds of double crochet. The number of increases will determine the size of your hat.
- Start: Create a Magic Ring (MR). Ch 3 (counts as 1 dc). Work 11 dc into the MR. Join with a sl st to the top of the initial ch 3. (12 dc)
- Round 2: Ch 3. 2 dc in each st around. Join with a sl st to the top of the initial ch 3. (24 dc)
- Round 3: Ch 3. 2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next st. Repeat from * to * around. Join with a sl st. (36 dc)
- Continue Increasing: Continue to increase evenly in each round until your circle reaches the desired diameter for your size (e.g., 5.5 inches or 14 cm for a child’s size). The video provides detailed instructions for different sizes, including how to increase every three stitches for teenagers.
Part 2: The Crocodile Stitch Body
Once your base is the desired size, you will begin working the crocodile stitch. This stitch is made in two parts over two rows. The first row creates the “foundations” for the scales, and the second row works the scales themselves.
- Foundation Row: Ch 3. Work a foundation row of alternating groups of stitches (e.g., a dc followed by a chain space), which the crocodile stitches will be worked around.
- Scale Row: The video demonstrates how to create the scales by working a series of treble crochet stitches around the post of the stitches in the foundation row. Each scale is made up of a group of tr stitches worked on one side of a post, and then another group worked on the other side of the post.
- Continue the Pattern: Continue to alternate between a foundation row and a scale row until the hat is the desired height (e.g., 7-8 inches or 18-20 cm).
Part 3: Finishing & Decorating
- Final Round: After completing the final scale row, the video shows how to finish the top edge of the hat with a simple stitch.
- Attach the Pearls: Use a tapestry needle and a thin thread to sew the pearls onto the hat. The video shows how to sew the pearls onto the scale stitches for a beautiful and decorative effect.
- Weave in all ends: Use your tapestry needle to neatly weave in any remaining loose yarn tails.
Video tutorial
Versatile Uses for Your Crocodile Stitch Hat:
- Everyday Wear: A stylish and unique accessory for daily use.
- Photo Prop: A beautiful handmade prop for baby or child photos.
- Gift: A thoughtful and impressive handmade gift for a friend or family member.
Customization & Tips:
- Color Choice: Experiment with different yarn colors. A solid color would highlight the unique texture of the crocodile stitch, while a variegated yarn would create a colorful, striped effect.
- Size Adjustment: The video provides a clear guide on how to adjust the size, so you can make a hat for any age.
- Decoration: You can also add a pom-pom or a ribbon instead of pearls for a different look.
Enjoy crocheting your own beautiful, practical, and unique hat! It’s a fantastic way to create a personalized accessory that’s sure to become a favorite.
