Instructions for a Baby Crocheted Newsboy Cap

This hat is appropriate for baby boys as well as girls.

Newsboy caps are versatile accessories. They keep the head covered and protected from both the sun and the cold, while their characteristic brims shade the eyes. They are a good choice for babies because of how well they keep off the sun and cold weather. You can crochet newsboy caps for the babies in your life using a few basic crochet techniques. Choose cotton yarn if you want to make a summer hat, or soft wool for a sturdier winter hat.

Things You'll Need

• Worsted-weight yarn, one skein
• Size H crochet hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry needle

Instructions

Crochet Stitches Used

1. Create the chain stitch by making a slipknot with the yarn and placing it on the crochet hook. Bring the yarn from back to front over the tip of the hook, and then catch it with the tip. Draw the yarn through the slipknot's loop as you drop the loop from the hook. A new loop should remain. You have created the first chain stitch. Make the second and all subsequent chain stitches by catching the yarn again and drawing it through the new loop as you drop that loop from the hook.

2. Make the slip stitch by inserting the hook into a previously worked stitch. Catch the yarn and draw it through the stitch and the loop you should already have on your hook. Drop the loop from your hook. A new loop should remain.

3. Make the single crochet stitch by inserting the hook into a previously worked stitch. Catch the yarn with the tip, pull it through the stitch and draw a new loop up onto your hook. Catch the yarn again and draw it through the two loops on your hook as you drop them. A single new loop should remain.

4. Make the half double crochet stitch by wrapping the yarn around your crochet hook to create a loop. There should already be a loop on your hook. Insert the hook through a previously worked stitch, catch the yarn, draw it through the stitch and bring a new loop onto the hook. Catch the yarn again and draw it through all three loops as you drop them off the hook. One new loop should remain.

Baby Newsboy Hat Pattern

1. Make five chain stitches. Join them into a round by making a slip stitch into the first chain stitch. Place the stitch marker to mark the beginning of the round.

2. Make 10 half double crochet stitches into the open middle of the round. Then make two half double crochet stitches into each stitch in the round, so that you have 20 stitches.

3. Make one half double crochet stitch into the first stitch of the next round, then make two half double crochet stitches into the next stitch. Repeat this pattern to complete the round. You should have 30 stitches.

4. Make one half double crochet stitch into the first two stitches of the next round. Make two half double crochet stitches into the third stitch. Continue this pattern to complete the round with 40 stitches.

5. Make one half double crochet stitch into the first three stitches of the next round. Make two half double crochet stitches into the fourth stitch. Continue this pattern to complete the round with 50 stitches.

6. Make one half double crochet stitch into each stitch of each round until the hat body reaches 5 1/4 inches from top to bottom. Make one chain stitch to begin the final round. Then make one single crochet stitch into each stitch in the round.

7. Make one chain stitch to begin the brim. Skip the next stitch, then make one single crochet stitch into the next four stitches. Make two single crochet stitches into the next stitch, and then make one single crochet stitch into the next twelve stitches. Make two single crochet stitches into the following stitch, skip the next stitch and finish by making one single crochet stitch into the following stitch. Turn the work around.

8. Make one chain stitch. Skip the first stitch of the row, and then make one single crochet stitch into each stitch until you come to the last two stitches of the row. Skip the first stitch and make a single crochet stitch into the second stitch.

9. Repeat the stitch pattern in Step 7, then repeat the stitch pattern in Step 8. Cut the yarn with scissors and draw it through the last loop. Weave in the loose ends with the tapestry needle.

10. Make seven chain stitches. Make one single crochet stitch into each stitch. Chain one stitch and turn the work around. Continue doing this until you have a strip that is as long as the base of the brim. Sew the ends of the strip to either side of the area just above the brim with yarn and the tapestry needle.

References

• Patchwork Crochet.com: The Basics of Crocheting
• Peachy Knits; Cheri Hat; Jennie Harrell; 2009