Puffed Wheat Hat, Crochet Pattern

Six more weeks of winter means plenty of time for making and wearing cozy hats, and I have a new pattern to share! My Puffed Wheat hat was originally published in Happily Hooked Magazine and is not available for direct purchase from my Ravelry and Etsy stores.

For my blog readers the pattern will be on sale for 1/2 off on Ravelry for the first week - just $2! After February 10th, the price will go up to $4, so jump on this one now with the coupon code COZYCAP before you miss out.

Teen / Adult Small in Barley and Oatmeal

Puffed Wheat is crocheted in Lion Brand Wool-Ease Thick & Quick, a super bulky weight yarn that works up very quickly, so it's great for last minute gifts (I'm talking the-day-before kind of last minute) and the thick, wool-blend yarn makes it extra cozy. Using less than a 1/2 skein each color, it's a great stash buster as well.

The pattern includes four sizes: Toddler, Child, Teen/Adult Small, and Adult Large. Based on my head size (21.5") I wear a Teen/Adult small, which is the size I find most comfortable.

Teen / Adult Small in Barley and Oatmeal

The large isn't ridiculous on me, however. It just sits lower and looser on the head and is actually a bit cozier since there's more material.

Adult Large in Claret and Oatmeal

It fits fairly loose around the ears, so if you have a head measurement that fits in the smaller size, but want a little extra length for extra warmth, adding another row of puff sts would be a good option.

I've only done variations using the Oatmeal colorway for the contrast color, but Thick & Quick comes in a pretty wide variety of color options, so you can make it was wild as you like.

Toddler in Black and Oatmeal

Happy crocheting!

Stash Busting with Happily Hooked Magazine

I know every yarn aficionado has a drawer (closet? spare room?) full of those half-skeins and little leftover bits of yarn that you don't know what to do with, but you know they're still good for something! If only you could find the right pattern...

There's something especially satisfying in making something you love out of all those little bits. This month's issue of Happily Hooked Magazine is all about stash busting and includes 10 patterns, so there's sure to be something in there for every stash.

My design for a Puffed Wheat Beanie is included in the issue, and I have to say it's pretty fun to make. Using super bulky yarn, Lion Brand WoolEase Thick and Quick in this case, means the hat works up quickly enough that you can sit down with your yarn in the afternoon and wear your finished hat out that evening. The largest size uses just a half a skein each of two colors, so you can make a hat for a friend with the leftovers.

I got hooked on the tweedy look of the Oatmeal colorway for this hat, and made a couple different hats pairing it with other colors. 

The Teen Size in Barley and Oatmeal

The Adult size, in Oatmeal and Claret

The Toddler Size in Oatmeal and Black

Of course, there are lots of other fun things to make in the issue, including this adorable Spring Caterpillar by Megan Barclay.

This fun and super colorful Frida Shawl by Divine Debris

 

This Multi-Colored Hooded Cowl by Busting Stitches that could really bring some springy brightness to your winter wardrobe. 

And this clever Geometric Tote by Daughterofanace. It goes with everything!

 

 

Enjoy busting those stashes and making yourself some fun new goodies! 

Rainbows and Adult Beverages

Summer: it's all about rainbows and beer, amiright? Here in sticky, swampy New Orleans, I admit I haven't been keeping up with my backlog of projects as well I do in the cool(er) months, but summer is the perfect time for those quick, stash-busting projects that can keep your fingers busy without heating you up. No afghans, please.

This project is fun for a lot of reasons. It has rainbows, it has googly eyes, it begs you to crack open a cold one, and best of all you can use it right away no matter what the weather is outside because you won't be wearing it—your beverage will!

Behold the rare and elusive Rainbeer

.

I made this for a good friend's birthday and it looks like the celebration it is. A birthday celebration and a celebration of marriage equality, not to mention a celebration of the brief cool respite that follows summer rainstorms.

You may notice this koozie is more expressive than most.  The eyes are by no means necessary. I mean, a traditional rainbow is still pretty fun. But I have to say I was surprised by how much they add to the piece. Even without any other facial feature, this koozie has some serious personality. 

Rainbeer

Materials

• Worsted weight yarn in the colors of the Rainbow, plus black and white for eyes if desired. Shown in Red Heart Super Saver in Ranch Red, Carrot, Gold, Hunter Green, Royal, Dark Orchid, Black, and White.
• US H (5 mm) hook, or size needed to obtain gauge
• Tapestry or Large eye blunt
• Sewing pins

 Notes

• Turning chains do not count as the first stitch of rows.
• Repeat directions following * to end of round.

Abbreviations

ch: chain

sc: single crochet

hdc: half-double crochet

sl: slipstitch

inc: increase (crochet two stitches in one space)

BLO: back loop only

Gauge

14 sts and 11 rows = 4 inches in hdc

Instructions

With Dark Orchid, make a magic ring.

1:  Ch 1, hdc 8. Sl to join this and all succeeding rounds. Do not turn.  (8)

2:  Ch 1, *hdc inc.  (16)

3:  Ch 1, *hdc, hdc inc.  (24)

4:  Ch 1, *hdc 5, hdc inc.  (28)

5-6:  Ch 1, *hdc.

7:  With Royal, join round in back loop only (BLO). Ch 1, *hdc in BLO.

8:  Ch 1, *hdc.

9:  With Hunter Green, join round in BLO. Ch 1, *hdc in BLO.

10:  Ch 1, *hdc.

11:  With Gold, join round in BLO. Ch 1, *hdc in BLO.

12:  Ch 1, *hdc.

13:  With Carrot, join round in BLO. Ch 1, *hdc in BLO.

14:  Ch 1, *hdc.

15:  With Ranch Red, join round in BLO. Ch 1, *hdc in BLO.

16:  Ch 1, *hdc.

17:  Join in BLO. *Sl loosely in BLO. Join round. Tie off. Weave in all ends. 

Your koozie should now look like this:

 Stop here, or give your koozie some personality and add the googly eyes!

Eyes (optional)

Make 2

Pupil

With black, make a magic ring.

Ch 1, sc 4. Sl to join. Tie off leaving long tail to sew edge down to eye white.

White

With white, make a magic ring.

Ch 1, hdc 8. Sl to join. Tie off, leaving long tail to sew eye to koozie.

  

Finishing

Position pupil on white however looks best to you and pin in place. This is totally personal preference. You can have the pupils centered at the bottom of the white if you like the way mine looks, but you can also have your Rainbeer looking up, looking to the side, cross-eyed, or with both eyes in different directions. Give it some personality! Using a large eye blunt needle, stitch around edge of pupil. Weave in ends.

Next, position the finished eyes on the koozie and pin in place. I thought mine looked best with the bottom of the eyes lined up with the bottom of the gold band, but again, totally up to you! Have fun with it. Using a large eye blunt needle, stitch around edge of white. Weave in ends.

You’re done!  Give your Rainbeer a drink!

 My Rainbeer has a Sierra Nevado Torpedo. I think he likes it.

This design is available as a pdf download from my Ravelry shop: Strung Out Fiber Arts Designs