Puff Stitch Stripes Hat

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Have you ever been sucked in by the pretty colors in a skein of variegated yarn, buy it and bring it home and wonder what you were thinking. You try a bunch of different stitches and/or patterns only to have everything you try look terrible? The colors pool in weird ways, or all of the colors look really busy and you can't see the stitch definition?

Sometimes it can be really hard to find a pattern that works well with variegated yarn, and whether you bought it for a specific project and just have some leftover, or you bought it because the colors looked pretty, or maybe you have some sitting in your stash because it was given to you, if you are like me it is probably just sitting there taking up space.

I recently bought a skein of pink and blue variegated yarn for a specific project, my unicorn purse, and I only needed a tiny bit. I decided as I was making it that that was what I wanted for the strap and mane so I ran to the closest store to see what they had that would work. For me that happens to be Walmart and they don't have a huge selection. I liked the colors in this skein and thought it would work well for the project I was working on, but it was a huge skein, they only had it in jumbo size.

I ended up buying it, using it to finish the little purse I was making, and hardly made a dent in the jumbo size skein. It barely looked like it had been touched and I wondered what in the world I was  going to do with all of this variegated yarn since it is not my favorite thing to work with?

Then I had an idea, and that idea started to grow, and now I am ready to announce a new series of patterns I have been working on and will be releasing over the next several weeks (there will be at least one new pattern each week that is part of this series). It will be a series of Variegated Yarn Friendly Hat Patterns.

Each pattern will be for a hat that uses some variegated yarn, usually combined with a solid color. All of them could also be made in either a single solid color or 2 solid colors, depending on the pattern. They aren't patterns that require variegated yarn, but they are patterns that will work with them.

One of my favorite techniques for using variegated yarns is to alternate with a contrasting solid. This keeps the colors from blending together too much and looking so busy and messy. I usually use neutral colors like white, black, or gray as my contrasting color, but you could use any color that coordinates with the colors in your variegated yarn. You do want to choose something that will have really good contrast though, so you may not want to just pull a color from the variegated yarn, rather something that would coordinate with it.

The first hat in the series, today's pattern is the Puff Stitch Stripes Hat. This hat is made of alternating rounds of puff stitches and half double and single crochet stitches. It is made top down with a post stitch ribbing around the bottom. I used solid colors for most of the hat with the variegated yarn adding a pop of color in the puff stitch rounds.

I also made a couple of hats out of one solid color, just to show how that would look. I think the hat works really well that way too. It is sort of similar to my Bead Stitch Hat, even though the stitches are different. I really like hats that have a lot of texture in the stitches and I think this hat definitely qualifies.

Whether you make it with stripes or solid, use variegated yarn or not, I hope you enjoy this pattern. It is available in 5 sizes from baby (3-6 month) - adult. I don't know if all of the patterns in this series will include such a wide range of sizes but this one does and the next one will too. Be sure to check back next week for the next hat in the series.

How to Crochet the Puff Stitch Stripes Hat

You will need:

• Medium weight yarn in desired colors (I used a variety of yarns including Red Heart Super Saver, Red Heart with Love, All Things You Essential Acrylic, and Craftsmart Yarns)
• I (5.5 mm) crochet hook
• yarn needle
• scissors
• (optional) faux fur pom pom

Instructions:

All sizes are made beginning with a magic ring, the crown is made of dc rounds, then the pattern rounds make the main portion of the hat, finished with a post stitch ribbing. I used hat size charts like this one to determine the sizes. Sizes included are: 3-6 month, 6-12 month, toddler, child, and adult.

Special Stitches

Puff Stitch: [yo, insert hook in loop, yo, pull up loop] 3 times, yo, pull through all 7 loops

Stitch worked in third loop: instead of working the stitch in the top loops like you normally would, insert you hook in the bar behind those loops, see this video for more detailed instructions

Beginning ch stitches do not count as a stitch

3-6 Month Baby Size

Colors used in sample:

Main color - All Things You Essential Acrylic in Amethyst

Contrasting color - Craftsmart Ombre in Giverny

Begin with main color

Round 1: in mr, ch 2, 10 dc, sl st to first dc to join (10 dc)

Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (20 dc)

Round 3: ch 2, [2dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (30 dc)

Round 4: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 2] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (40 dc)

Round 5: ch 2, [2 hdc in first stitch, 1 hdc in next 9] repeat around, sl st to first hdc to join (44 hdc)

Round 6: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (44 sc)

Round 7: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (22 puff stitches, 22 ch)

Round 8: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (44 hdc)

Round 9: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (44 sc)

Round 10: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (22 puff stitches, 22 ch)

Round 11: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (44 hdc)

Round 12:  ch 2, dc in third loop in each stitch around, sl st to first dc to join (44 dc)

Round 13: ch 2, [fpdc in first stitch, bpdc in next stitch] repeat around, sl st to first stitch to join (44 dc)

finish off, cut yarn, weave in ends, attach pom pom if desired

6-12 Month Baby Size

Colors used in sample:

Main color - All Things You Essential Acrylic in Lavender

Contrasting color - I didn't use one for this hat, if you choose to do a solid color just ignore the color changes and continue in the main color throughout

Begin with main color

Round 1: in mr, ch 2, 10 dc, sl st to first dc to join (10 dc)

Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (20 dc)

Round 3: ch 2, [2dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (30 dc)

Round 4: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 2] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (40 dc)

Round 5: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 4] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (48 dc)

Round 6: ch 2, hdc in each stitch, sl st to first hdc to join (48 hdc)

Round 7: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (48 sc)

Round 8: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (24 puff stitches, 24 ch)

Round 9: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (48 hdc)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (48 sc)

Round 11: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (24 puff stitches, 24 ch)

Round 12: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (48 hdc)

Round 13:  ch 2, sc in third loop in each stitch around, sl st to first dc to join (48 sc)

Round 14: ch 2, dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (48 dc)

Round 15: ch 2, [fpdc in first stitch, bpdc in next stitch] repeat around, sl st to first stitch to join (48 dc)

Round 16: ch 2, [fpdc in first stitch, bpdc in next stitch] repeat around, sl st to first stitch to join (48 dc)

finish off, cut yarn, weave in ends, attach pom pom if desired

Toddler Size

Colors used in sample:

Main color - Red Heart with Love in Black

Contrasting color - Craftsmart Ombre in Sangria

Begin with main color

Round 1: in mr, ch 2, 10 dc, sl st to first dc to join (10 dc)

Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (20 dc)

Round 3: ch 2, [2dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (30 dc)

Round 4: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 2] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (40 dc)

Round 5: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 3] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (50 dc)

Round 6: ch 2, [ 2 hdc in first stitch, 1 hdc in next 11, 2 hdc in next stitch, 1 hdc in next 12] repeat, sl st to first hdc to join (54 hdc)

Round 7: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (54 sc)

Round 8: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (27 puff stitches, 27 ch)

Round 9: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (54 hdc)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (54 sc)

Round 11: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (27 puff stitches, 27 ch)

Round 12: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (54 hdc)

Round 13: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (54 sc)

Round 14: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (27 puff stitches, 27 ch)

Round 15: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (54 hdc)

Round 16:  ch 2, sc in third loop in each stitch around, sl st to first dc to join (54 sc)

Round 17: ch 2, dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (54 dc)

Round 18: ch 2, [fpdc in first stitch, bpdc in next stitch] repeat around, sl st to first stitch to join (54 dc)

finish off, cut yarn, weave in ends, attach pom pom if desired

Child Size

Colors used in sample:

Main color - All things You Essential Acrylic in White

Contrasting color - Red Heart Super Saver in Bon Bon

Begin with main color

Round 1: in mr, ch 2, 10 dc, sl st to first dc to join (10 dc)

Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (20 dc)

Round 3: ch 2, [2dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (30 dc)

Round 4: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 2] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (40 dc)

Round 5: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 3] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (50 dc)

Round 6: ch 2, [2 hdc in first stitch, 1 hdc in next 4] repeat around, sl st to first hdc to join (60 hdc) 

Round 7: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (60 sc)

Round 8: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (30 puff stitches, 30 ch)

Round 9: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (60 hdc)

Round 10: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (60 sc)

Round 11: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (30 puff stitches, 30 ch)

Round 12: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (60 hdc)

Round 13: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (60 sc)

Round 14: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (30 puff stitches, 30 ch)

Round 15: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (60 hdc)

Round 16:  ch 2, sc in third loop in each stitch around, sl st to first dc to join (60 sc)

Round 17: ch 2, dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (60 dc)

Round 18: ch 2, [fpdc in first stitch, bpdc in next stitch] repeat around, sl st to first stitch to join (60 dc)

Round 19: ch 2, [fpdc in first stitch, bpdc in next stitch] repeat around, sl st to first stitch to join (60 dc)

finish off, cut yarn, weave in ends, attach pom pom if desired

Adult Size

Colors used in samples:

2 color version

Main color - All things You Essential Acrylic in True Grey

Contrasting color - Red Heart Super Saver in Shaded Dusk

Solid Color version

Main color- All Things you Essential Acrylic in Amethyst

Begin with main color

Round 1: in mr, ch 2, 10 dc, sl st to first dc to join (10 dc)

Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (20 dc)

Round 3: ch 2, [2dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (30 dc)

Round 4: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 2] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (40 dc)

Round 5: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 3] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (50 dc)

Round 6: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 4] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (60 dc) 

Round 7: ch 2, [2 dc in first stitch, 1 dc in next 14] repeat around, sl st to first dc to join (64 dc) 

Round 8: ch 2, hdc in each stitch, sl st to first hdc to join (64 hdc) 

Round 9: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (64 sc)

Round 10: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (32 puff stitches, 32 ch)

Round 11: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (64 hdc)

Round 12: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (64 sc)

Round 13: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (32 puff stitches, 32 ch)

Round 14: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (64 hdc)

Round 15: ch 1, sc in third loop in each stitch around, change to contrasting color, sl st to first sc to join (64 sc)

Round 16: ch 2, [puff stitch, ch 1, skip next stitch] repeat around, change to main color, sl st to first puff stitch to join (32 puff stitches, 32 ch)

Round 17: ch 2, hdc in each puff stitch and ch, sl st to first hdc to join (64 hdc)

Round 18:  ch 2, sc in third loop in each stitch around, sl st to first dc to join (64 sc)

Round 19: ch 2, dc in each stitch, sl st to first dc to join (64 dc)

Round 20: ch 2, [fpdc in first stitch, bpdc in next stitch] repeat around, sl st to first stitch to join (64 dc)

Round 21: ch 2, [fpdc in first stitch, bpdc in next stitch] repeat around, sl st to first stitch to join (64 dc)

finish off, cut yarn, weave in ends, attach pom pom if desired