A Crochet Beanie As the Best Accessory for Comfort and Style

Popular Crochet Beanies for Children

Different styles of a crochet beanie are scattered everywhere from online garments stores to children’s apparel shops. While people can buy the beanies in stores, they can also make one for their child or as a gift since there are craft stores that sell yarns, hooks, patterns, and even a do it yourself kit with the necessary instructions for beginners. Newsboy beanies are popular for most parents and some teenagers also enjoy this type better during winter. Infants can use the beanies even during spring and summer time since it protects their head from warmth and the stitch spaces provide ventilation to keep their head cool. Most of the crochet beanie has an elastic band along the bottom of the hat so that it can stretch and perfectly fit different head sizes while a sun visor extension protects the eyes from the sunrays or just provides design. The beanie offers comfort and protection during mild to moderate weathers. Other accessories can adorn the beanies by slipping ribbons and clips through the stitches.

Waffle beanies are also gaining attention since it combines style and comfort for the child. It resembles the crochet headbands but unlike those that do not cover the head, it extends from the band upwards to create a dome like shape for the head. Just like with the headbands, people can use ribbons and laces through the stitches or create a pom-pom for the top of the crochet beanie. Unlike the newsboy style, it does not have sun visors sticking at the front of the beanie. Waffle beanies are best used in summer, spring, and mildly cold seasons since it can protect the head of the infant without being too hot or cold because of the holes caused by the stitch spaces. However, this type of beanie is not recommended for extremely cold weathers since the holes cannot provide the best insulation for the child’s head. It might keep heat inside the child’s body but it cannot protect him or her efficiently against the bitter cold.

Crochet Beanies for Beginners

In making a crochet beanie, knowing the stitches beforehand has its advantages but it is not necessary. Even beginners can crochet a beanie since most do it yourself kits provide instructions on how to do the stitches so people can learn to crochet while doing the project. Most people are intimidated with the idea of crocheting because they do not know how to make the stitches but it is easy to learn them especially through online instructions. If people really wanted to have their first beanie made professionally then they can try other projects first to learn the stitches before embarking on their major goal.

Crochet hooks come in different sizes so people need to buy the right size that they need. It is better to research more on how to make a crochet beanie because this is where people can learn about the different terms, abbreviations, yarns, and hooks that will guide them through the project. Most specifications of materials are indicated on the pattern being made. People who are experts when it comes to crocheting hats, beanies, bags, scarves, sweaters, socks, and booties do not need a pattern and they can determine their hook size by just creating swatches and determining the size of gauges they can make based on the length. Yarns should also be chosen correctly since they come in different colors, materials, texture and weight. Find yarns that can provide comfort for the wearer without irritating their skin but can still withstand longer use and changes in weather. Washable yarns are also an advantage especially for children who normally get dirt on their crochet beanie easily.

There are different types of yarn that people can buy but there are two most widely used yarns in creating crochet beanies or anything that is crocheted. Acrylic yarn and soft yarn are the usual preferences of people when creating their project but most of them choose the latter over the former because of its texture. Soft yarns, as the name connotes, have a softer and smoother texture so the skin will not feel irritated whenever people wear things made out of soft yarn. Acrylic yarns tend to be rough and abrasive in the skin but it is relatively cheaper than wool yarns or cashmere yarns that scream comfort. The texture is caused by the plastic component included in the creation of the yarn. As time passed, many companies acknowledged complains of most consumers that the yarn used in a crochet beanie does not feel good to the skin so they have created synthetic yarns that resemble the soft yarn in its texture and feel.

Acrylic beanies will not feel coarse forever since after some time of using and washing, the fibers will loosen up and the texture will become smoother and softer. Another material people can use to create crochet beanies while still protecting the environment is through the Eco Yarn, which is a combination of acrylic yarn and plastic bottles. It is soft to the touch just like with the soft yarn and people can contribute to the environment by reducing the recycled bottles from dumpsites.

Other acrylics are also better to use because it can drape or slouch and it does not tear easily especially when the hook is tangled with the yarn while making a crochet beanie. Most acrylic yarns for beanies cost around $2.50 to $6 and people can find good deals around the internet or craft stores. This is lower than natural fibers in the market but if people want to have a feel for the natural, then they can choose a combination of both types of yarn since it is cheaper just like with the cotton-acrylic or wool-acrylic.

Natural fiber yarns for beanies cost higher from $8 to $40 per skein. The price difference is caused by the quality and texture of the yarns and if it is dyed or spun manually. Angora and cashmere are definitely more expensive compared with other yarns but if people really want to have a good crochet beanie then they could use the two. They should only make sure that they know all the stitches thoroughly and they can crochet a beanie without any hitch since mistakes, as well as do-overs are very expensive with the material they are using.

Sources of yarns can range from online portals, physical stores, or even directly from the local supplier. Discounts, promos, and cheaper price tags can be encountered if people take their time to search for it such as with small fiber farms.

Crochet Beanies for Men

Most people can encounter crochet beanie designs online that are made for children or girls. Some men are hesitant to sport a crocheted beanie because it does not look too masculine enough for them. Contrary to their belief, there are numerous beanie patterns that are made specifically for men that will accommodate their style. Hats and beanies are great collections for men and it also provides warmth during colder season, fashion statement, or even cover a bad haircut, bed head, balding head and unruly hair. Most colors preferred by males are plain dark ones such as moss green, dark blue, gray, or black. They also try bland tones or loud colors depending on their overall style. Most college men also use a crochet beanie especially when attending games at night.

Some patterns people can enjoy are the Slouchy Beanie and Visor Beanie. The Bobby's Slouchy Beanie Crochet Pattern droops lower than other styles. It is also longer compared with numerous patterns and it can be worn tightly by rolling the edges to form a cuff or loosely by bunching it at the back until it reaches the nape of the neck. The Visor Beanie Crochet Pattern is just similar with the newsboy beanie design with a sun visor at the front and tight fitting just on top of the ear.

Crochet Beanies for Costume Parties

Nowadays, people can modify the crochet beanie and add different designs that can complement their wardrobe during a costume party especially during Halloween. If children or adults do not like to wear a full mask for their body, they can opt for a beanie that takes the design of the top part of their costume. It can be a bumblebee’s head, a frog’s head with eyes on top, or even different animals with horns or ears. Because of the dome shaped top of most beanies, it is easy to attach eyes or crochet head parts in it such as the ears. Not only will it protect the children from the weather when they are trick or treating at night but it will also complete their ensemble especially if they are allergic to face paints or they cannot stand a heavy head dress.

Starting a Crochet Beanie and Alterations

People need to work on the top part of the crochet beanie first by making a circular shape and the stitches will only increase as they go on to complete the whole part of the beanie. Increasing the number of stitches is only needed until the desired circumference is reached or if people are satisfied with the size that can fit their head. After reaching this, people can just continue crocheting to extend the beanie pass the ears or towards the neck without increasing the number of stitches from the last length people have made. This continuous crocheting can go on until people get their desired length.

The easiest pattern people can try to do is the basic beanie. It is flexible enough to be decorated with other accessories and styles but it is not that hard to do compared with other complicated patterns. People can add flaps to the sides of the crochet beanie, change colors to create vertical or horizontal stripes, adding beads or ribbons, creating crocheted designs such as flowers, insects, pom-poms and snowflakes. With the basic beanie pattern, people can create their personalized style by adding different elements to the crocheted beanie.

In creating a basic beanie, people need to accurately measure the head of the wearer. Start by taking measures above the ears and around the head. After taking the actual measure, people need to decide the extra inches they want to have for the beanie’s length. Remember that crochet beanie is different from a cap because it can extend pass the ears or even under the chin.

The number of stitches can be determined through a crochet gauge. People can do single crochets and base the number of stitches they have made per inch. The number of single stitch made per inch should be multiplied by the head’s circumference measurement. The answer will be the total crochet stitches people will be making to cover the whole circumference of the head.

Altering a crochet beanie is easy and people do not need to unravel their whole work if they noticed problems at the middle. Most common problems people see is the fit, it might be too small or too big. Alterations can be added by increasing or decreasing the stitches made per row. People can also add different colors of yarns while crocheting by using different types in every row to create the stripes. The stripes can also take different lengths so people can have thin strips, thick lines, and a combination of both or different sizes.

 Creating a Crochet Blanket for All Seasons