Pumpkin Hat

Large preemie size = 12 inch circumference

Materials:
Crochet Hook sizes K and J
Worsted Weight yarn in orange and green

Terms:
DC = double crochet
Ch = chain
FPDC = front post double crochet
SS = slip stitch
Sc2tog = single crochet two stitches together
Sc3tog = single crochet three stitches together
Sc = single crochet

Notes: Chain 2 equals a DC.

Foundation and Round 1:
With K hook and orange yarn, chain 3... DC 14 times in 3rd chain from hook. The two skipped chains will count as the first DC, so you will have a total of 15 DC. Join last DC made to first DC with slip stitch.

Round 2:
Ch 2, DC in same stitch. Make 2 DC in each stitch around. Join last DC made to first DC (The chain 2 counts as the first DC.) 30 DC made.
Important: Stitches made in round 3 should be in BACK LOOP ONLY. The front loops will be used later to make the pumpkin stem.

Round 3:
Ch 2, **FPDC in next stitch, DC in next two stitches**
Repeat from ** to ** around. Join last DC to first DC. 20 DC and 10 FPDC made.

Round 4:
Do not ch 2 yet. SS in space between join of round 3 and the first FPDC of round 3. Ch 2, **FPDC in next stitch (This should be in the FPDC of previous round), DC between FPDC made and next stitch. DC between next two stitches twice.**
Repeat from ** to ** around.
(Your beginning ch 2 of Round 4 will count as the last DC of the last group in this round.) Join last DC to first DC. 30 DC and 10 FPDC made.

Round 5:
Ch 2, **FPDC in next stitch (This should be the FPDC of previous round.) DC in the next three DC. **
Repeat from ** to ** around. Join last DC to first DC. 30 DC and 10 FPDC made.

Round 6:
Ch 2, **FPDC in next stitch (FPDC of previous round). Skip next DC, DC between skipped DC and next DC, twice. **
Repeat from ** to ** around. Join last DC to first DC made. 20 DC and 10 FPDC made.

Round 7:
Ch 2, **FPDC in next stitch (FPDC of previous round), DC in each of next two stitches. **
Repeat from ** to ** around. Join last DC made to first DC. 20 DC and 10 FPDC made.

Round 8:
Repeat all of round 7 and then Finish off.

Stem:

There is great room for variation with the stem directions. Sometimes after the first round of the stem I just decrease (single crochet 2 or even 3 stitches together) every so many stitches as I work my way up the stem. It is kind of hard to see the stitches if you are using a dark green yarn, so “winging it” may be easier for you than trying to follow the exact directions written for the stem.

Foundation and Round 1:
With J hook and green yarn, attach yarn to any front loop left from round 3 with a SS. Ch 1, single crochet this stitch and next stitch together (sc2tog made). Sc2tog around. Join last sc2tog to first made.
15 total Sc2tog made.

Round 2:
Ch 1, single crochet this stitch and next 2 stitches together (sc3tog made). Sc3tog around. Join last sc3tog to first made.
5 total sc3tog made.

Round 3:
Ch 1, sc in this stitch and each stitch around. Join. 5 sc made.

Round 4:
Repeat round 3. You may want to repeat round 3 once or twice if you want a taller stem.

Round 5:
Ch 1, sc next two stitches together (sc2tog made), twice. Join.
2 sc2tog made. Finish off and weave in yarn ends.

This is also a cute hat in a different color and without the stem. If you try the pattern as a regular cap, there is no need to work round 3 in the back loops only.

© Copyright 2005 Marie Toth

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