Crochet blog

crochet hat pattern sizes newborn to adult

Welcome back…

Published on January 8, 2022January 8, 2022 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin14 Comments

Welcome back…It has been a while!

Welcome to you, if you used to stop by here and spend some time with me, it’s good to have you here. And if this is your first time here, you are very welcome. Please stay, grab a cuppa and I will tell you what has happened here at the nest whilst the world has gone crazy!

It is sooooo good to be back here, in this lovely spot of the cyberspace. I have not dropped in for so long, but the time is right to start writing again. I think we can all agree that the world has changed so much over the last couple of years with Covid.

How are you?

Really, how are you? let me know in the comments below, I would really love to catch up with you.

I’ll start with a little nest update and then share my hooky plans for this year…I’ve got lots planned. So, if you want to skip the nest update and jump straight to the crochet, skip the next couple of paragraphs…I don’t mind.

The big news is the little Robins are not so little anymore and are now 18,17 and 14 years old… yep! how does that happen so quickly? The eldest is teetering on the nest edge and has pretty much fledged…I am full of pride and fear all rolled into one.

Our saddest news occured in October when we had to say a very hard goodbye to our beloved labrador, Alfie. He was the grand old age of 15 years, 9 months and 6 days old, when rainbow bridge finally called him. We buried him in our garden and I miss him so much. He will be in our hearts forever.

Little Jess was so good and seemed to understand where her pal had gone, but it wasn’t long before Mr R suggested we should find her another buddy as she has never been on her own before.

I felt like it would be a betrayal and couldn’t settle the idea in my heart. A couple of months later, Mr R had found a lovely little chap and had called to see if he was still available, but had to leave a message. That night as we waited for a call back, Alfie came to me in a dream and licked my hand. The following morning the lady called and said the handsome little fella was still available and we went to fetch him home… it felt with Alfie’s blessing.

Let me introduce you to Duke, he is now 16 weeks old. He’s a cheeky chappy, who loves a cuddle and to zoom about the house. His Mother is an Italian greyhound and his Dad is a Beddlington terrier / Whippet mix, so he shouldn’t grow too much bigger. He has settled well and Jess seems to approve. Life has a way of being heartbreakingly, beautiful and hope is everywhere, if you just look for it.

So, you are up to date largely. Lockdown was full of Mr R renovating the garden whilst I worked through. I have impressively pinned an enormous amount to my pintrest boards, oh! and have wrestled a large dose of unwanted anxiety. I didn’t do a great deal of crochet, other than orders, which I was grateful for.

My big plan this year though is to get back to blogging and pattern writing and sharing it with you. That is what I enjoy and have come to realise, I have missed. My baby Etsy shop has been great fun over the last couple of years; and to my suprise has been quite successful. However, I have made the decision to make it a pattern shop as of now. There are several reasons for this, the first and main one being time!

Whilst crocheting to order is great and has been very satisfying it leaves me zero time to write patterns and to crochet other things…like the crochet angel at the top of this post (I will post about this separatley). I also don’t want to have to deal with orders getting lost in the mail (this seemed to happen several times last year).

So a pattern shop it is…and that, well that makes me happy, very happy indeed. I have lots of ideas and I have missed being here…it may be a bit old school but I aint’ getting tiktok and reels!

crochet hat, crochet hat pattern, ear flap hat, newborn to adult crochet hat pattern — my toasty ear flap hat

This is what I am currently writing up…’my toasty earflap hat’. It will be available in sizes newborn to large adult. I made this one for me, for the bitingly cold dog walks I am taking every day. It is so warm and toasty, hence the name. It is perfect for those cold winter days and I’m looking forward to making it available.

I still need a couple of pattern testers, so if you have some aran yarn in a couple of colours (less than 100g) and you are able to turn this around within the next week or so, drop me a message. You would need to provide me with some good quality photo’s and in return I will send you the fully edited pattern.

Anyway, I’ve rambled enough. Now it’s your turn…let me know how you are doing by leaving a message below.

XXXXX

craft, crochet, crochet hat pattern, crochet pattern, dogs

Bloomin’ Beautiful Baby Bloomers

Published on July 9, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin4 Comments

These beautiful baby bloomers just fell off my hook…what do you think?

I am totally in love with them, and that colour is looking mighty fine!

The textured pattern is a delight to hook and I adore the little cinched in waistband. I think these would look great paired with a simple pair of tights, but equally would suit a little boy also. The ribbed banding around the waist and legs finishes the pattern with a soft definition and you know me…I always love to crochet a rib.

You can just imagine a cute little baby bum in that can’t you?

The pattern was great to follow and I highly recommend you pop over and take a look at this designers patterns, she is certainly bossing the way in British crochet baby wear. I will pop all of the details at the bottom of this post as usual with all of the relevant linky things too.

And if you don’t fancy hooking your own pair I am happy to hook some for you…just click here and drop me a message.

The yarn was also a delight, super soft for baby’s skin and has a gentle sheen which compliments the textured pattern of these bloomers. This yarn is also practicle in that it is machine washable and anti-pilling and can even be popped into the tumble dryer!

This mustard has to be one of my favourite colours right now. It reminds me of fields of rape seed in the countryside and sunflowers and yet makes me think autumn will come again…and I can’t wait for the beautiful season that is Autumn.

Pattern: Camden Bloomers by Babes in the Wool

Yarn: Stylecraft Bambino in Mellow Yellow.

A New Blanket for Jess…

Published on April 2, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

As it is the Easter Bank Holiday, I have a new project on my hook. Little Jess is in great need of some pretty blankets to sleep on and so I didn’t have to look far for some inspiration. I have a lot of crochet pins on my pintrest boards and I have a wish list that could go around the world at least once!

So, I grabbed my hook, some aran weight yarn and my favourite Campfire Coffee…(you really should try it!) and started to hook up these beautiful Sunburst granny squares by crochet325knittoo

It wasn’t too long before I knew this was the perfect choice…you just know when your project is going to work! I mean just take a look at those squares.

It has been so long since I have done any hooking like this and my heart felt full. So full, it wasn’t too long before I found I had dozed off!

But, so had Old Alf, so I found I was in good company!

Anyway, the snooze has done me good and I plan on hooking the evening away now with a little gin and tonic or three…you can bet I will be nodding off on the sofa again before long!!

xxxxx

Free Floppy bunny ears pattern

Published on March 28, 2021January 10, 2023 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

With only a week until Easter Sunday, I thought I would share the pattern for these Easter bunny ears I made yesterday. I was making a little newborn bunny photo shoot outfit and needed some cute floppy bunny ears to complete the look. I am using my Baby Bear Bonnet Pattern and my own diaper cover pattern which I have just not had chance to write up yet!

They are super simple to make. I used Stylecraft special Aran weight yarn in grey and cream and a 5mm hook and my finished floppy bunny ears measure approx.16cms long.

The outer ears are worked in the round, with the inner ears worked in rows and made separately then sewn into place. My pattern is written using UK terminology but I have provided a US stitch conversion below. Please note chain stitches do not count as a stitch unless otherwise stated in the pattern.

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Stitch abbreviations as follows

Htr – half treble crochet (UK) / half double crochet (US)

htr2tog – decrease (UK) / hdc2tog – decrease (US)

slst – slip stitch

ch – chain stitch

dc – double crochet (UK) / Single crochet (US)

Outer Ear – Make 2

Ch2

Round 1: 6htr into 2nd ch from hook, join with a slst into top of 1st htr, ch1 . ( 6htr see pic 1.)

Round 2: 2htr in each st around, join with a slst into top of 1st htr, ch1. (12htr see pic 2.)

Round3: *2htr in next st, 1 htr in next st* repeat around, join with a slst into top of 1st htr, ch1. (18htr see pic 3.)

Round 4 – 9: htr in each st around, join with a slst into top of 1st htr, ch1. (18htr see pic 4.)

Round 10: htr2tog, htr in next 14sts, htr2tog, join with a slst in top of 1st htr, ch1 (16htr)

Round 11: htr2tog, htr in next 12sts, htr2tog, join with a slst in top of 1st htr, ch1 (14htr)

Round 12: htr2tog, htr in next 10sts, htr2tog, join with a slst in top of 1st htr, ch1 (12htr see pic 5.)

Rounds 13 – 17: htr in each st around, join with slst in 1st htr, ch1 (12htr see pic 6.)

Round 18: htr2tog all around, join with a slst in 1st htr, ch1 and turn (6htr)

Now flatten circle and slst edges together, fasten off and leave an extra long tail for sewing…longer than you normally would, trust me here as you will need the extra length later! (see pic 7)

Inner Ear is made in rows

make 2

In cream

Row 1: ch4, htr in 2nd ch from hook and in each st along, ch1 and turn (3htr)

Row 2: 2htr, htr, 2htr, ch1, turn (5htr)

Row 3: 2htr, htr in next 3sts, 2htr, ch1, turn (7htr)

Row 4 – 6: htr in each st, ch1, turn (7htr)

Row 7: htr2tog, htr in each st along, ch1, turn (6htr)

Row 8: htr2tog, htr in each st along, ch1, turn (5htr)

Row 9 -11: htr in each st, ch1, turn (5htr)

Row 12: htr2tog, htr in each st, ch1, turn (4htr see pic 8.)

Row 13: htr in each st along, ch1, turn (4htr)

slst all around inner ear to finish, fasten off and leave a long tail for sewing. Sew to outer ear (see pic 9)

To attach bunny ears to chosen bonnet/hat I found that giving the top of the ear a twist and securing with a couple of stitches, gives the ear a little bounce and allows the inner ear to peek out. If the ear is not twisted before attaching to bonnet / hat then you will not be able to see the inner ear…which seems a shame, been as you have just gone to the effort of hooking them. See Pic 10 to see where to twist and sew (indicated by red dots).

Finally pin and securely sew your bunny ears to your bonnet. If you prefer a hat why not checkout My Best Beanie Pattern available in sizes newborn to large adult.

Now all that’s left to do is enjoy all of that floppy bunny ear cuteness!

Please do let me know what you think by dropping me a sentence in the comments below…I love to get your feedback and a like or a share goes a long way too!

Happy Hooking!

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xxxxx

Bunny Ear Headbands

Published on March 13, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

I just wanted to share these bunny ear knot headbands with you because they are so adorably sweet. I found the pattern on pintrest and have popped a link in for you below if you fancied hooking your own in time for Easter.

I did find the sizing a slight issue in that the pattern goes from 0 – 3 months right through to adult and by my sizing guide I feel it should be newborn – 6 – 10 years.

Having said that the pattern is beautifully written and the extended double crochet (sc) stitch is so pretty and delicate and those bunny ears….well they are just adorable don’t you think?

I think this sweet bunny headband would make an excellent Spring / Easter newborn photo prop, or a lovely little Spring baby shower gift. It would also look cute for an Easter Egg hunt or just for every day wear too.

So, if you fancy hooking your own you will find the pattern by clicking the link below

Knot me up headband by Crochet Dreamz

And if you don’t fancy hooking your own you can buy one made by me by clicking this link just here

xxxxx

Embroidery Hoop art

Published on February 27, 2021February 27, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin6 Comments

I hope you are all ok? I thought I would just drop in to show you my latest make and to thank you for all the kind feedback I have received regarding my free baby blanket pattern…The Angelece Baby Blanket

I have really enjoyed playing around with something a bit different to usual, and this is what I came up with. Of course, it had to have a bit of crochet somewhere and these little flowers were just perfect.

I am not the worlds greatest when it comes to sewing, but I do find it quite soothing, if the embroidery floss doesn’t get in a tangle. I did order some cheap embroidery floss to start with…this was a BIG mistake as it split and tangled so easily. Suffice to say the more expensive thread was of a much better quality and made the embroidery a pleasure.

The leaves and flowers are hooked from scraps of cotton and I glued them into position with a hot glue gun, and finished the centres with a tiny white bead.

Finally, I finished my hoop with a circle of mustard felt, which I also glued into position, just to give a tidy finish. It is a small piece of happiness.

I may just make some more, but I think I will keep each one completely unique…I have some other Mama sayings that I would like to stitch.

xxxxx

A Whole Lot of Love Beanie

Published on February 21, 2021February 21, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

Thank you for the lovely feedback I have received on my free baby blanket pattern; if you missed it you can find it by clicking on the link.

I had a lovely little hooking session yesterday evening, and this is what came off my hook. I am so in love with these sweet hats and I love the colours too!

I used a lovely little heart applique by petals to picots and my best beanie pattern and Voila!

These beauties are now available to purchase just here too.

So, quite a productive little evening, don’t you think? I love a quick make!

What’s your favourite quick make?

xxxxx

Angelece baby blanket – Free Pattern

Published on February 17, 2021January 29, 2023 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin9 Comments

I am very pleased to share with you my pattern for this beautiful baby blanket; it has been sitting half written in my documents for a couple of years now…so, it’s about time it saw the light of day!

I made mine from a cotton mix, which means it has a scrumptious drape and I’ve finished it with cute little tassels on each corner. A beginner’s introduction to filet crochet, this pattern uses chain, double crochet and treble stitches. On trend in pretty mint, (but you can make yours in whatever colour you choose) the blanket measures approx. 60cms x 66cms, ideal pram blanket size. Details of how to up-size the blanket can be found in the pattern details below.

If you would prefer to download a PDF copy available in both UK and US versions of the pattern, you can purchase just here for less than a cup of coffee!

So, lets talk yarn. I used Women’s Institute Home Cotton – Aran weight in Light Blue 100g and I used 3 balls. A good alternative to this is Lion Brand Prima Cotton. But, any aran weight yarn would also be suitable, however a cotton blend lends itself to a beautiful drape and lighter weather conditions, which hopefully will be here with us very soon.

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You will also need

5mm hook

Scissors

Darning needle

Card to make tassels – an old cereal box will do!

The pattern is written using UK crochet terminology and the stitch abbreviations can be found below. I have included US terminology in blue if you wish to convert. You may wish to use a stitch marker to indicate the last stitch of each row. Turning chain counts as a stitch throughout the pattern unless otherwise stated. Repeats are marked by asterisks *.

Stitch Abbreviations:

Ch- chain / chain (US) St – stitch / stitch (US)

Slst – slip stitch / slip stitch (US) Tr – treble / double crochet (US)

Dc – double crochet / single crochet (US)

Dc: Insert hook into chain or under both loops of stitch, yarn over and pull through so there are 2 loops on the hook, yarn over again and pull through both loops on the hook.

Tr: Yarn over hook, insert hook into chain or under both loops of stitch, yarn over and pull through so there are 3 loops on hook, yarn over again and pull through 2 loops, yarn over and pull through last 2 loops on hook.

Gauge is not so important for this project, although I have given you a gauge guide below. To make this blanket larger or smaller, adjust your starting chain by multiples of 12 to desired width and hook more or less rows to desired length. Remember increasing the size of the blanket will require more yarn than stated in this pattern.

14tr x 7 rows = 4″x4″ / 10cms x 10cms

So, lets get started shall we? To begin ch87

Row 1: 1tr in 3rd ch from hook, 1tr in next 10sts, *ch1, miss next st, 1tr in next 11sts* repeat from * – * to end, ch3 (counts as 1tr) turn

Row 2: 1tr in next 10sts, *ch1, miss next st, 1tr in next 11sts,* repeat from * – * to end, ch3 (counts as 1tr) turn.

Row 3 – 4: repeat row 2

Row 5: repeat row 2 but at end of row ch4 (counts as 1tr + ch space) turn.

Row 6: miss next st, *1tr, ch, miss next st* repeat * – * to end of row, finishing with a tr stitch, ch3 (counts as 1tr) turn.

Rows 7: 1tr in next 10sts (ch space counts as st), *ch1, miss ch space, 1tr in next 11sts* repeat from * – * to end, ch3 (counts as 1tr) turn.

Rows 8 – 10: repeat row 2

Row 11: repeat row 5

Row 12: repeat row 6

Rows 13: repeat row 7

Rows 14 – 16: repeat row 2

Row 17: repeat row 5

Row 18: repeat row 6

Row 19: repeat row 7

Rows 20 – 22: repeat row 2

Row 23: repeat row 5

Row 24: repeat row 6

Row 25: repeat row 7

Rows 26 – 28: repeat row 2

Row 29: repeat row 5

Row 30: repeat row 6

Row 31: repeat row 7

Rows 32 – 34: repeat row 2

Row 35: repeat row 5

Row 36: repeat row 6

Row 37: repeat row 7

Row: 38 – 40: repeat row 2

Row 41: repeat row 5

Row 42: repeat row 6

Row 43: repeat row 7

Rows 44 – 46: repeat row 2

Row 47: repeat row 2, ch 1, turn, do not fasten off.

Now to add the border

Along the horizontal edges of the blanket you will dc into st as normal. Along the vertical edges of the blanket you will have to make a dc around the post of each tr at the end of each row.

1dc in each stitch to end, ch2, dc in same st (corner made). You will now be making dc stitches along the vertical edge of the blanket. 2dc per post to next corner, ch2 dc in same st (2^nd corner made). 1dc in each st to end, ch2, dc in same st (3^rd corner made), repeat 2dc per post on final vertical edge, placing last dc in same space as ch1 at end of row 47, ch2 and slip stitch and fasten off to finish.

Make 4 chunky tasssels and sew securely to each corner. If you are not sure how to make tassels here is a great youtube tutorial to get you started…they are easy to make and will finish your blanket with style.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=THGfiIFnhjI

This pattern including all photos are the property of Nicola Florence at ayarnyrobin.wordpress.com. Please do not modify, resell, publish in part or in full, or share this pattern or photo’s as your own. You may sell finished items made from this pattern, I hope it becomes a hot item for you; but please credit, with a link, that the item is made using @yarnyrobin pattern.

I hope you enjoy making this blanket. I would love to see your makes; the easiest way to do this is to share them on your social media by tagging me, @yarnyrobin #angeleceblanket it will honestly make me do a happy dance!

You can also follow me on Instagram @yarnyrobin and on facebook as Baby_yarnyrobin for discounts and latest updates.

xxxxx

How to add a ‘knit look’ crochet ribbed brim to a top down hat…video tutorial

Published on January 24, 2021February 19, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

Once you try this brim…you wont go back to chunky front post, back post brims!

Yes, that;s right…I love this crochet brim for my hats because it is less chunky, has a ‘knit look’ finish and makes my beanies have a lovely snug and comfortable fit and I will show you how to make your own ribbed brim for top down construction hats right here.

Now, if you have been with me a while you will know that a video tutorial is a first for me, so I would appreciate your feedback as it has taken forever to put together!

The pattern for ‘My Best Beanie’ has also taken me a long time to write and edit, and is now available just here. I have made this a pattern for all the family as it is written for sizes newborn right through to large adult. If you prefer a more traditional bonnet, I have a pattern for those too…just here.

Let me know what you think? Should I do other free crochet tutorials and if so what would you like tutorials on?

xxxxx

The smartest little red coat

Published on January 16, 2021 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 Comments

I just wanted to share with you this very sweet and quick make, that I hooked up a couple of weeks ago now, for little Jess. I did want to make it in navy with rainbow stripes to match Mr R’s hat…but Mr R was not the least bit impressed by this at all!!

The pattern details can be found at the end of this post. It’s a lovely little free pattern, which gives directions to make a bespoke dog sweater based on measurements for your dog…so you can make any size you need to!

Jess, was rather proud with the finished item and was happy to pose. I love the ribbed collar and waist band and because it is bespoke just for Jess, I was able to make the leg holes just for her, so it fits comfortably and allows for natural movement.