Stretchy Kid's Hat

Crochet a hat that will stay with your child as he or she grows. This easy kid's hat crochet pattern creates a cozy cover that stretches to fit babies to older kids.  This is a cozy and comfy hat that is great for girls and boys and can be made in any color you'd like.  Easy to work up in an hour or so, this crocheted hat makes for a wonderful way to spend a lazy afternoon.  You could also make a handful of these cute hats and donate them to a local charity or hospital.  With a sweet pom pom to top the whole thing off, this hat is cozy, warm, and simply adorable!

Materials:

• 1 skein Red Heart “Designer Sport™” yarn in Pool
• 5mm [US H-8] crochet hook
• Yarn needle

Gauge: 13 sts = 4”; 12 rows = 4” in Pattern st.

Special Abbreviation:

• fphdc (front post half double crochet): yarn over, insert hook from front to back to front around the post of indicated stitch and draw yarn through, yarn over and draw through all three loops on hook.

Instructions:
Hat circumference measures 18”.

Cuff

1. Ch 15.
    
2. Sc in 2nd ch from hook and each ch across, turn – 14 sc.
    
3. Row 1: Ch 1, working in back loop only, sc in each sc across, turn.
    
4. Repeat Row 1 until piece measures 18” from beginning, slightly stretched.

Hat

1. Turn cuff to work along long edge, sc 54 sts evenly spaced across, turn.
    
2. Row 1: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn.
    
3. Row 2: Ch 2, *hdc in next 2 hdc, Fphdc in next st, hdc in 3 hdc; repeat from * across, turn.
    
4. Row 3: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn.
    
5. Rows 4-7: Repeat Rows 2 and 3.
    
6. Row 8: (RS) Ch 2, *hdc in next 2 sts, Fphdc in next st, hdc in next hdc, hdc2tog; repeat from * across, turn – 45 sts.
    
7. Row 9: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn.
    
8. Row 10: Ch 2, *hdc in next 2 sts, Fphdc in next st, hdc2tog; repeat from * across, turn – 36 sts.
    
9. Row 11: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn.
    
10. Row 12: Ch 2, *hdc2tog, Fphdc in next st, hdc in next hdc; repeat from * across, turn – 27 sts.
     
11. Row 13: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn.
     
12. Row 14: Ch 2, hdc in next hdc, *Fphdc in next st, hdc2tog; repeat from * to last 2 sts, Fphdc in next st, hdc in last st, turn – 19 sts.
     
13. Rows 15 and 17: Ch 2, hdc in each st across, turn.
     
14. Rows 16 and 18: Ch 2, *hdc in next st, Fphdc in next st, hdc in next hdc; repeat from * across, turn.Fasten off.

Finishing

1. Sew back seam, reversing sewing at Cuff so seam doesn’t show when Cuff is folded up to right side. Weave in ends.
    
2. Tie: Holding 2 strands of yarn together, ch 30.
    
3. Fasten off.
    
4. Weave Tie under each Fphdc st 3 rows from last row.
    
5. Pull tightly and knot to secure to make small gathering at top of Hat.
    
6. Fold Cuff to right side.