How to Crochet a Newborn Elf Cap

Dressing up a newborn or infant is especially fun during the holiday season. A crocheted elf cap is fun to make and simple enough that a novice to crocheting will enjoy the project. Select a medium worsted weight yarn, such as three-ply baby yarn, to crochet the cap. The weight of the yarn will allow the tip of the cap to fold easily and not stand straight up on the head like a four-ply yarn.

Things You'll Need

• 3-ply baby yarn, green and white
• Size H/8/5mm crochet hook
• Scissors

Instructions

1. Tie a slipknot approximately 2 inches from the end of the green yarn. Slide the slipknot on the crochet hook. Pull the slipknot so it conforms to the crochet hook but still slides easily along the shaft.

2. Chain four stitches. A chain stitch is made by looping the yarn over the end of the crochet hook. Pull the yarn through the loop on the crochet hook shaft.

3. Slip stitch the last stitch to the first stitch in the chain. A slip stitch is made by inserting the end of the crochet hook through the first stitch. Loop the yarn around the hook and pull it through the stitch and through the loop on the shaft of the crochet hook.

4. Chain three stitches. Double crochet three times in the loop. Slip stitch the last stitch to the top of the chain three. The chain three stitch counts as the first stitch in this row and each row thereafter.

   A double crochet stitch is made by looping the yarn over the crochet hook. Insert the tip of the crochet hook through the chain loop. Loop the yarn over the crochet hook. Pull it through the center chain. Loop the yarn over the crochet hook. Pull the yarn through the first two loops on the crochet hook shaft. Loop the yarn over the crochet hook a second time and pull it through the remaining two loops on the crochet hook shaft.

5. Chain three stitches. Complete two double crochet stitches in the next stitch, one double crochet in the following stitch and two double crochet stitches in the last stitch for a total of six stitches. Slip stitch the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.

6. Chain three stitches. Complete one double crochet in the next stitch and two double crochets in the following stitch. Repeat the pattern for a total of 12 stitches. Slip stitch the last stitch to the first stitch in the row.

7. Chain three stitches. Repeat Steps 5 and 6 for a total of three rows. The third row count is 48 stitches.

8. Chain three stitches. Double crochet in each stitch around for a total of 48 stitches. Slip stitch the last stitch to the first stitch in the row. Repeat this step for a total of four rows.

9. Cut the green approximately 3 inches from the end of the crochet hook. Tie the white yarn to the green yarn as close to the last stitch as possible.

10. Chain three stitches. Double crochet in each stitch around for a total of 48 stitches. Slip stitch the last stitch to the first stitch in the row. Repeat this step one more time.

11. Cut the white yarn approximately 2 inches from the end of the crochet hook shaft. Pull the end of the yarn through the last stitch. Pull the end of the yarn tight to form a knot.

12. Weave the end of the yarn back and forth through the last row of stitching with the crochet hook.