crochet hats Archives - Crochet blog

Too Hot to Crochet? 5 Smart Projects to Make Instead

Published on May 9, 2026May 9, 2026 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

Too hot to crochet your usual projects?
When the weather heats up, big blankets and cosy yarns suddenly feel unbearable.

And that’s where most crocheters make the mistake of putting their hooks down completely.

But summer is actually the perfect time to switch strategy.

Smaller, lighter projects help you:

Stay creative without overheating
Keep your crochet momentum going
Get ahead for autumn, gifting season, and markets

They’re also perfect for portable, alfresco hooking — the kind of projects you can toss into a bag and take into the garden, to the park, or on holiday.

So whether you’re planning ahead for warmer days or trying to survive a heatwave with your crochet mojo intact, these are my favourite projects to make when it’s simply too hot for blankets.

Summer isn’t a slowdown. It’s your head start.

This is the perfect time to work on small, lightweight, high-impact projects that set you up for:

Autumn gifting
Etsy sales
Market prep
Stress-free crochet later

Plan Now, Crochet Smarter Later

If you’ve ever hit September thinking “I should have started this earlier…” — this is your moment to fix that.

I use a simple system to:

Plan projects ahead of season
Avoid half-finished WIPs
Stay consistent (even when motivation dips)

👉 [Download your free 15 page Crochet Project Planner]

Want to stay organised with your crochet projects? You can join my email list to receive your free Crochet Project Planner and lots of cosy crochet inspiration.

get your free 15 page crochet project Planner

5 Smart Crochet Projects to Make in Hot Weather

1. Winter Hats (Yes, Really)

This is where most people get it wrong.

They wait until it’s cold… to start making winter items.

Which means:

Rushed projects
Missed sales
Zero stock when demand hits

Instead, use summer to quietly build your autumn collection.

Winter hats are perfect hot-weather projects because:

They’re small and manageable
No heavy fabric sitting on your lap
Quick wins that build momentum

And come September?

You’re already ahead.

👉 [Grab the Crochet Bonnet Bundle here and start your own collection]

get a printable pdf version. (uk & us terms)

⭐ Easy to print and follow anywhere
⭐ No ads – just the pattern
⭐ UK or US crochet terms included
⭐ Instant download

2. Granny Squares (Future You Will Love You for This)

Granny squares are the ultimate low-effort, high-reward summer project.

No bulk. No heat. Just progress.

Make them now, and you’ve got:

A ready-to-join blanket later
A stash-busting win
A “project already started” advantage

Which is exactly how you avoid that overwhelming big project block later in the year.

If you want something to work towards:

👉 [Start your Sunshine Jelly Blanket here]

3. Water Bottle Holder (Summer Use + Market Seller)

This is your make it now, use it now project.

In the heat, you’re constantly reaching for your water — so this is something you’ll genuinely use.

But it’s also:

A strong market item
A quick make
A great gift add-on

Low effort, high value.

👉 [Shop the bottle holder pattern on Etsy]

4. Face Scrubbies (Fast Wins = More Momentum)

When motivation dips in the heat, you need quick wins.

Face scrubbies are:

Tiny
Fast
Practical

But here’s the real benefit…

They keep your crochet habit going.

And consistency is what separates:
👉 “I crochet sometimes”
from
👉 “I actually finish and sell things”

👉 [Get the face scrubbies free pattern here]

5. Baskets (Structure Without the Heat)

If you still want that “substantial project” feeling without overheating — baskets are your answer.

You’re not working under fabric, you’re building structure.

Which means:

More comfortable crocheting
Faster visible progress
A product that actually sells

And if your baskets never quite hold their shape…

👉 [Learn how to make perfect baskets everytime with this simple tutorial and free pattern]

☀️ The Real Strategy (This Is What Most People Miss)

Hot weather isn’t the problem.

Lack of strategy is.

If you:

Stop crocheting → you lose momentum
Only make big projects → you burn out
Wait for the “right time” → you fall behind

Instead, do this:

✔ Make small projects
✔ Prep for future seasons
✔ Keep your hook moving

That’s how you build:

Consistency
Confidence
Sales

🧶 Want to Stay Consistent (Even When It’s Hot)?

This is exactly why I created my Crochet Project Planner.

It helps you:

Map out projects ahead of season
Track what you’ve started (and actually finish it)
Stay organised without overthinking it

👉 [Download your free 15 page planner here]

Final Thoughts

So whether you’re in the middle of a scorcher or just enjoying a rare stretch of sunshine…

Don’t stop crocheting.

Just change what you crochet.

Because the crocheters who stay consistent now…they’re the ones ready when it matters.

What’s your favourite small or portable crochet project to work on? I’d love to hear.

📌 Pin for Later

January Beanie Pattern Test…

Published on January 14, 2023January 14, 2023 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin1 Comment

This is what I have been working on, a brand new beanie design using beautiful squishy alpine stitches. These beautiful front post stitches make this beanie textured and perfect for an ombre colour fade design. However I have also made this beanie in a solid colour block as well as a self striping yarn…and they look great.

I have written the pattern for sizes, 0 – 3 months through to adult, so this beanie can become a real family favourite! I have also written this pattern in both UK and US crochet terminology, so no more pesky converting during making.

I am hoping to slowly work through my portfolio of patterns and get a US version of them written, so watch this space. The pattern is currently with my testers, so I’m on tenterhooks waiting to see how they get on. I have a couple of spots still available if you fancy testing this pattern. You will receive a fully edited version once complete and another of my patterns that you can choose. Let me know in the comments if you do…I would love to have you on board.

Why not subscribe to my brand new email list…where you will receive occasional emails with crochet inspiration, free crochet patterns and exclusive discount codes.

Niki xx

Baby Bear Crochet Hat Pattern…

Published on October 16, 2022 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobinLeave a comment

It’s been a little while since I dropped by, but I have been busy pattern writing. I hope you are all well and being creative; and if you’re not then I’m sending you lots of love.

Baby Bear Beanie Crochet Pattern

This beautiful Baby Bear Beanie, was actually one of the first hat patterns I ever scribbled down and I have made lots over the last few years. So it feels right that it is finally written up properly!

This pattern is a top down construction and has instructions for 2 different ways to finish the brim. Option 1 – features a ‘knit look’ ribbed crochet brim which is not bulky, unlike most crochet hats. I have provided a link within the pattern to a video tutorial on how to crochet the brim.

Option 2 is a chunky ribbed brim which uses front treble and back treble post stitches.

This beautiful pattern is quick to hook up, so just perfect if you need to whip one up quickly and it comes in sizes

Newborn
0 – 3 months
3 – 6 months
6 – 12 months
1 – 3 years
3 – 5 years

Materials you will need:
Aran / worsted weight yarn – pattern recommends Stylecraft special, but any aran/ worsted acryllic yarn may be used
(5.0mm) crochet hook or hook needed to acquire correct gauge
Tapestry needle
Tape measure
Pins
stitch marker (optional)

A perfect little pattern to keep precious heads warm this Autumn.

Baby Bear Beanie Crochet Pattern

Baby Bear Bonnet Crochet Pattern

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

Floppy Crochet Bunny Ears (Free Pattern for Baby Gifts)

Published on March 28, 2021April 1, 2026 by Nicola Florence @ ayarnyrobin2 Comments

Looking for a simple crochet bunny ears pattern?

These floppy crochet bunny ears are soft, beginner-friendly, and perfect for baby gifts, loveys, bonnets, and toys.

This free pattern works up quickly and creates that classic gentle floppy ear shape that makes handmade projects extra special.

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!

Pattern At A Glance

Skill Level: Beginner

Time: 1 hour

Yarn: Aran / Worsted weight

Uses: Bonnets, baby gifts, hats, headbands

Tips For Perfect Floppy Bunny Ears

New to shaping? Read my bunny ear shaping guide here

Materials

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.

Pattern Notes

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.

📌 Save For Later

Stitch Abbreviations

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)

The Pattern

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

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)

How To Attach Crochet Bunny Ears

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!

Want to stay organised with your crochet projects? You can join my email list to receive your free Crochet Project Planner and lots of cosy crochet inspiration.

get your free 15 page crochet project Planner

What To Do Next

If you enjoyed this pattern, here are a few ways to support and stay connected:

• 💛 Like this post if you found it helpful

• 💬 Leave a comment — I love hearing from you

• 📌 Pin this post to save for later using image below

• ✨Join my email list above to receive your free Crochet Project Planner and more cosy crochet inspiration

📌 Save For Later

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

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.