Hats & Accessories

Accessories are where most people go after their first blanket, and for a good reason. A beanie takes three hours. A scarf takes six. You get the satisfaction of a finished object while you are still learning, instead of waiting four weeks for it.

They are also the projects where fit starts to matter. A blanket that comes out 10 cm wider than planned is still a blanket. A hat that comes out 10 cm wider is a bucket. So this section leans harder on measurements than the others do.

The good news is that a hat has exactly two measurements, and one of them you can look up.

Hats

The fastest useful thing you can make. Start with a beanie and the rest follow.

• How to crochet a beanie, a complete beginner walkthrough
• 20 beanie patterns to make before it gets cold
• Toboggan hat pattern, free, sized baby to adult
• Bucket hat pattern, free, in three sizes
• 16 newborn hat patterns for tiny heads

Bags

Where stitch choice really shows. A loose stitch makes a bag that sags under its own contents.

• 24 bag patterns, from market totes to clutches
• Crochet market bag, free pattern for a sturdy everyday tote
• 18 purse patterns that look shop-bought
• 16 free bag patterns with written instructions

Scarves, cowls and the rest

Long, simple, and the best television projects in crochet.

• 19 scarf patterns to make this winter
• 14 cowl patterns you can finish in a weekend
• 12 ear warmer patterns for winter walks
• 14 headband patterns for every season
• 12 fingerless glove patterns for cold mornings

Hat sizes, which is the only chart you need

Measure around the head just above the ears. Then subtract about 2 cm for negative ease, because crochet stretches and a hat that fits exactly will ride up within an hour.

Why bags sag, and what to do about it

A bag holds weight, and crochet stretches. Those two facts fight each other. Three things fix it, and you usually want at least two of them.

• Go down a hook size. A tighter fabric stretches less. It is slower and it works.
• Use cotton, not acrylic. Cotton has almost no memory, which is a problem in a blanket and an advantage in a bag that you do not want growing.
• Line it. A fabric lining, even a cut-up pillowcase, takes the weight off the crochet entirely. This is what shop-bought crochet bags all do.

Single crochet makes the sturdiest bag fabric and takes the longest. Half double is the usual compromise. Anything taller than double crochet will stretch out of shape with shopping in it, however lovely it looks empty.

Questions

How long does it take to crochet a hat?

Two to four hours for an adult beanie in worsted yarn. A newborn hat takes under an hour.

What yarn is best for a crochet hat?

Worsted weight wool or a wool blend. Acrylic works and is cheaper, but it does not breathe, so it gets clammy on a long walk.

How do I stop a crochet hat from stretching?

Make it about 2 cm smaller than the head measurement and use wool rather than cotton. Cotton has no memory and a cotton hat will be loose by the end of the first wear.

What is the best stitch for a crochet bag?

Single crochet for strength, half double if you want it finished this week. Avoid open or lacy stitches unless the bag is decorative.

Can I crochet a hat without a pattern?

Yes. Work a flat circle until it matches the crown diameter for the size you want, stop increasing, then work straight until it is deep enough. That is every beanie ever made.

Why is my hat coming out cone-shaped?

You are increasing too slowly. A flat circle needs the same number of increases every round, six for single crochet. Fewer than that and it curves into a cone.