How to crochet a graph into a hat!

Have you seen all the really cool graph patterns that Nicole of Boomer Beanies has been drawing up?! Aren’t they awesome? If you haven't seen them yet, click here to go check out the album of graphs! 
I love the Lego ones, the Denver Bronco one, and the cute owl! You could do so much with these graphs! Hats, scarves, washcloths, and even room decor. I could definitely see an owl made up in the colors to match a little girls room, then framed and hung on the wall. 

When she started releasing all these free graphs, there was a ton of interest on her fan page! But so many didn’t know how to even work the graph into a hat. They liked them, but were lost. Nicole would comment under the photos with quick directions, but I felt there needed to be more. I messaged her and asked her if I could do a tutorial to help some of her fans use these really cool graphs. Together we came up with this simple tutorial for both a beanie version and a slouchy hat version. If you don’t know how to crochet a graph hat or change colors, the following tutorial should help!

Beanie Version

Slouchy version

When you work this hat, instead of working in a circle, you are working a rectangular panel. When you finish the panel, it should be as long as the circumference of the head it should fit. 

Approximate Circumference (Or Hat Length from Row 1 to last Row):

14 inches for Newborn

15 inches for 0-3 Months

16 inches for 3-6 months

17 inches for 6-12 months

18 inches for 1-2 years

19-20 inches for child

21 inches for Teen

22 inches for average adult

23 inches for Large Adult

24 inches for X-Large Adult

Gauge: Using “H” hook and SC with Worsted Weight Yarn 10sc = 3 inches.

To obtain gauge:

Make a chain a little over 3 inches. Do 1 SC in 2^nd CH from hook and across. CH1 turn and SC across until your swatch is a little over 3 inches. Then with your ruler count how many stitches you have in 3 inches. Adjust hook if needed to obtain my gauge above. If you need more help, see this post.

Beginning Chains:

Newborn & 0-3 Months- Ch 22

3-6 months- Ch 25

6-12 months- Ch 26

1-2 years- Ch 27 (35 for slouchy hat)

Child- Ch 28 (36 for slouchy hat)

Teen- XL Adult- Ch 30 (38 for the slouchy hat)

Chain according to size above, if you want a slouchy hat, chain the number in parentheses.

Row 1: 1 SC in the 2^nd CH from hook, and in each CH across. CH 1, turn.

Row 2: 1 SC in each ST across, CH 1, Turn

NOTE: You can work in BOTH LOOPS - or – in BACK LOOP ONLY

Difference in Back Loop and Both Loops:

  

Back Loop Only

Both Loops

IF DOING BACK LOOP, FOR GRAPH DESIGN ONLY WORK EVERY OTHER ROW IN FRONT LOOP AND BACK LOOP TO KEEP THE TEXTURE OF THE HAT
 
Repeat row 2 until you are about 1/3 of the way to the desired length (Shown above)

With the right side (or outside) of the hat facing you, start the graph. You will need to rotate the graph on its side (See Photo Below). If you need help with changing colors, jump down to the bottom for a photo tutorial.

I decided to do the LEGO mini-figure head for my 5 year old. 

Left Handers

Right Handers

Start at the far right side (For Right Handers) or the left side (For Lefties) of the graph. We’ll be working from the bottom of the picture to the top. You can either carry your yarn or cut and weave. Either way is fine it's just a matter of what you prefer. When you get to the end of the row, finish off (tie off), cut the yarn and join to the first stitch of the row you just did. Yes, it will make a lot of tails, but if you crochet over them as you go, it’s not a big deal. The reason for this is to keep the backs of the stitches to the inside. It will create a more uniform look and better outcome. If you want to turn and carry you can, but that’s a little more advanced.

IMPORTANT NOTE: IF YOU ARE WORKING IN BACK LOOP ONLY YOU WILL NEED TO EXCHANGE EVERY OTHER ROW FOR FRONT LOOP AND BACK LOOP TO KEEP THE TEXTURE YOU HAVE GOING ALREADY. YOU WILL CONTINUE WITH BACK LOOP ONLY AFTER YOU FINISH THE GRAPH AND ARE WORKING IN ROWS CH 1, TURN. (SEE PHOTOS AT THE BOTTOM)

After you finish your graph picture; SC in each ST across, CH 1, turn. Repeat until your panel measures the same length as the circumference you need (given at the beginning of the pattern). 

Bring the two shorter sides together with the right sides (outside) facing each other, SL ST through the last and first row of sc that you did all the way to the top (crown); Tie off and weave in all tails. Thread 2 strands of yarn through your yarn needle, and weave up and down around the top of the hat in every other row; pull tails tight to cinch it closed. Tie a knot with the tails and weave them in.

Trim

 Join your yarn at the back of your hat. HDC evenly around. Join with a slst to the first HDC. Fasten off, weave in ends.
You can add a 2nd or 3rd round if desired. Change it up, add different colors, have fun with it!!!

A. Finish last stitch completely before color Change
B. Pull the new color through the loop and tighten up both colors. (like a SL ST)
C. SC with the new color.
D. Find your next color.
E. Loop it on to your hook.
F. Pull through the loop and tighten up both colors.
G. SC with your new color. Complete your graph.

 

 



FOR GRAPH DESIGN ONLY WORK EVERY OTHER ROW IN FRONT LOOP AND BACK LOOP TO KEEP THE TEXTURE OF THE HAT