Free Crochet Pattern - Baby Chick or Baby Bird Hat

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I decided to write up this quick free pattern when I was working on my Stash Bust Challenge 2013.  I had a few full skeins left and wanted something quick, without striping ends to deal with and of course, cute.  All my colors left in the stash challenge were adorable baby blues, pale yellow and pinks.  The colors reminded me of Easter and got me thinking of baby chicks and birds.  I had also recently finished some Owl Hats and decided to keep going with the bird theme.  There are few other chick/bird patterns available.   Some have added flowers or bows.  I think adding one of the Spring Blossoms flowers is really cute. I hope you like my interpretation of this classic hat.

Color ideas:
Yellow with orange feathers for Chick
Yellow with yellow feathers for Canary
Blue for Bluebird
Red for Cardinal and wintertime
Black for Crow and fall
Pink for Flamingo (make tip of beak black)
Green for Parakeet or Parrot
White for Snowy Owl (yellow eyes, black beak)
White with red feathers for a Rooster
Black with white on last two rows for Penguin

Feel free to make as many as you like for personal use or for charity.  I ask that my free patterns not be used for profit as they are designed with charity in mind.  There are plenty of for sale patterns available from independent designers (myself included) who give permission to sell items completed from their patterns. 

Please note, this pattern is copyrighted and may not be reproduced or redistributed. Completed hats may NOT be sold as the distribution of this free pattern is to promote awareness of the need for fun children’s chemo hats. Please make one for Halos of Hope or another organization that collects and distributes kids’ chemo hats. For more information and where to donate, please go to www.halosofhope.org

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 YARN/NOTIONS: 

• 1 skein Bernat CottonTots 100% cotton, 3.5 oz skein, or equivalent  
• Small amount yellow or orange for beak 
• 2 buttons, approx. 1/2 to 3/4 inch diameter (do not use buttons for child younger than 3 yrs)
• Stitch marker 
• Yarn needle
• Optional ribbon
• H/8 (5.00 mm) hook or size needed to obtain correct gauge
• Hook one size smaller for beak and feathers

SKILL LEVEL: Easy

   

GAUGE: If your final diameter is 6-6.5 inches, your hat will fit most kids 5 years old to teen. Hats should be about 1 inch less than the desired head circumference. (100% cotton yarns stretch less, shrink with frequent washing and may need to be made closer to actual head circumference.) When measuring gauge/diameter, always place the tape measure at the last stitch made and then measure through the middle, directly across for an accurate measurement.

NOTES: Pattern is written using standard US stitches.  

• ch=chain 
• sl st = slip stitch 
• sc = single crochet 
• hdc = half double crochet 
• magic circle/adjustable ring See this web post for photo tutorial

HAT worked in a continuous spiral, do not join rounds. Mark the beginning of each round.

Small/Medium

Fits approximate 19”-20½” head circumference (3 years-6 years)

  

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS ~ approximate 18¾” circumference, 8” length

1) Using magic circle/adjustable ring, ch 1 then work 8 sc into ring. Tighten.

2) 2 hdc in each sc around. (16 stitches)

3) * Hdc in next, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (24 stitches)

Check gauge, 2” diameter.

4) * Hdc in next 2, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (32 stitches)

5) * Hdc in next 3, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (40 stitches)

Check gauge, 3½” diameter.

6) * Hdc in next 4, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (48 stitches)

7) * Hdc in next 5, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (56 stitches)

Check gauge, 5” diameter.

8) * Hdc in next 6, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (64 stitches)

(See Gauge note) Check gauge, 6” diameter.

Rounds 9)-22) * Hdc in next; repeat from * around. (64 stitches)

23-24) * Sc in each around. (64 stitches), sl st, break off yarn.

  

Medium/Large 

Fits approximate 20½”-22” head circumference (5 years-teen)

FINISHED MEASUREMENTS ~ approximate 20½” circumference, 8½” length

  

1) Using magic circle/adjustable ring, ch 1 then work 8 sc into ring. Tighten.

2) 2 hdc in each sc around. (16 stitches)

3) * Hdc in next, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (24 stitches)

Check gauge, 2” diameter.

4) * Hdc in next 2, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (32 stitches)

5) * Hdc in next 3, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (40 stitches)

Check gauge, 3½” diameter.

6) * Hdc in next 4, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (48 stitches)

7) * Hdc in next 5, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (56 stitches)

Check gauge, 5” diameter.

8) * Hdc in next 6, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 7 more times around. (64 stitches)

9) Round 9 is a ½ round.
* Hdc in next 7, 2 hdc in next; repeat from * 3 more times around. (36 stitches total)
Mark as new beginning of round. (See Gauge note) Check gauge, 6½” diameter.

Rounds 10)-23) * Hdc in next; repeat from * around. (68 stitches)

24-26) * Sc in each around. (68 stitches), sl st, break off yarn. 

Beak

Use smaller hook.

Row 1) Ch 2, sc in 2nd ch from hook,ch 1 and turn.
Row 2) 3 Sc, ch 1 and turn
Row 3) 2 Sc in 1st, sc, 2 sc in last, ch 1 and turn.
Row 4) Sc in each.  Break off yarn.

Top Feathers

With smaller hook, ch 8, sl st in farthest ch from hook, ch 15, sl st in farthest ch from hook (same as previous).  Break off yarn.

Finishing

Sew beak, front and center with the bottom tip on the last hdc round.  Sew on button eyes (see this post for tips on button eyes).  Sew feathers to top center.  Work in all ends.  Add an optional ribbon bow or a cute flower and ENJOY!