Monday, September 2, 2013

Free Crochet Pattern - Baby Chick or Baby Bird Hat

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.  
    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!

    18 comments :

    1. I've been folowing your pattern,but my ends keep curling. is that normal

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. No-is it wavy? you may be using yarn that is too thick for your hook. Did you check gauge? If it's wavy while crocheting the crown, it's likely to smooth out some when you crochet the non-increasing sides.

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    2. Any suggestions for making this newborn sized?

      ReplyDelete
    3. Stop the increases when the diameter is large enough to yield a newborn sized hat and stop the non-increasing rounds when it is long enough. I'd suggest using another newborn hat pattern as a guide.

      ReplyDelete
    4. Baby sized hat can be done with a size f hook, I used dream baby for the yarn, and the 3 years hat pattern

      ReplyDelete
    5. Is there any way you can tell me the pattern to make this hat to fit a newborn (say 12 inches or so)? I would like to make this for my daughter's newborn pictures but I am not sure how to change it from the child size.. Thank you in advance..

      ReplyDelete
    6. My apologies.. I just read where you told someone else.. Thank you

      ReplyDelete
    7. Thanks! I'm halfway through this hat and it's one of the cutest ones I am planning on donating to a children's cancer charity. I hope it puts a smile on the face of a little girl (or boy)

      ReplyDelete
    8. Hi, my mum raises money for a charity that helps families get basic items for their homes, such as cooking utensils and linen etc. Would I be allowed to donate a few hats to this charity please? They are having a fundraiser soon

      ReplyDelete
    9. yes! of course! best of luck withe the donation sale.

      ReplyDelete
    10. I'm trying to put together some patterns for a kids club. The teaching for the club is charged, but the patterns themselves aren't being sold. Would it be alright if I put your pattern in? I would be happy to include any charity info. I think it would be a good idea to show the kids that they can crochet items to donate and it's a very cute pattern.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. That is fine, please include the website information. Thank you for asking.

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    11. My sole reason for saving this pattern is exactly the reason you've mentioned.
      My son, now 27 years old, spent 10 days in the NICU in 1991. His lungs weren't fully developed. He was in the hospital on Christmas Day, 1991 and when we arrived and went through their scrubbing in process. We immediately saw that EVERY baby had a crocheted red and white hat on their incubator, that some sweet soul had made for all of the NICU babies. I immediately broke down crying and said a prayer for the lady that took the time to make sure every baby received her gift of love! Her kind heart has blessed many. To this day I place that hat on our Christmas tree, to quietly remind me of my gift, my healthy adult son.
      So this year is my year to pay it forward. Since January 1, 2017 I have been crocheting different sizes of afghans for The Levine Children's Hospital in Charlotte, NC.Last count I have 12 afghans finished, three of which are Christmas colors for this year. When I finish the 2 that I have almost finished, I'm going to crochet hats for the month of June, that are for everyday colors, I have 4 made already. Then I'm going to spend July 1st-December 1st, crocheting nothing but hats, hats and more hats, with Christmas colors!! I'll probably do an afghan here and there too, with Christmas colors.
      Thanks for sharing your pattern.

      ReplyDelete
      Replies
      1. Thank you for sharing your story. Keeping the hat and displaying it each year on your tree is absolutely perfect. I love, love, LOVE it!

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    12. Would it be ok if I made one of these and donated to a charity fundraiser - Woolly Hugs who make knitted and crocheted items for many groups including world child cancer, women with cancer, refugees and bereaved families among others. Thanks in advance

      ReplyDelete