I have a ‘thing’ of scarves. I’ve made a lot of them, in both knit and crochet (and possibly even one fleece one somewhere). I own quite a large amount of scarves (and cowls!) – including the ones that I’ve made, some silk scarves, some scarves that had been gifted to me. That thing of scarves somehow always ends up with me not wearing them though. When it’s cold, I never seem to have one on, despite the large collection that I have.

My first ‘real’ project in knitting was a garter stitch scarf. Not a square, but a scarf. In garter stitch. (I got very good at knit stitches after that, by the way.)

My first ‘real’ project in crochet was a variegated blue messenger bag that I somehow manged to design myself. I still use it from time to time. It was done completely in single crochet and used nearly a pound of worsted weight yarn (I may as well had done a scarf, it probably would have taken the same amount of time).

I never understood why projects geared towards beginners just showcase one single stitch (generally garter or single crochet, depending on your craft of choice) and it’s always a freaking scarf.

But this is one beginner-friendly project that is all about the different stitches. Not only do you get some practice with chains and single crochet, but the scarf also features half-double crochet, double crochet and triple crochet stitches. Which makes for a not-so-boring project and a great new scarf addition to your wardrobe.

The scarf in the pictures is about 7.5′ long with 32 repeats of the pattern. It has a fringe (which is entirely optional, as is the length that you want to make it). This scarf was designed for practicing the different stitch types in crochet beyond single crochet (hdc, dc, tr – US crochet terminology).

Want to make your own Crochet Sampler Stitch Scarf? The pattern is free! Click to download a PDF copy of the Sampler Stitch Scarf pattern.

Filet crochet is all about having filled spaces and empty spaces. You accomplish this with double crochet stitches and chains. You can ‘draw’ with your empty and filled spaces, a lot like piecing together tiles of different colours – only you use yarn and your imagination.

A Little Filet Crochet Scarf is a scarf that I designed and made for my friend’s birthday gift. I had the yarn, I had the time and I had a hook. All I needed was an idea. So while I was flipping through a stitch dictionary that I have, I came across filet crochet. I’ve done a few small projects with filet crochet and love it. It’s easy to get the hang of, once you understand the concept, and it can go by pretty quickly (if time is an issue), plus it’s fun to make a pattern with your squares.

The pattern is written up as a one-size-only scarf, but you can easily add on more repeats to lengthen the scarf to your liking.

Want to make your own scarf? Click to download a PDF copy of the A Little Filet Crochet Scarf pattern.

Difficulty Level: Easy

This pattern was inspired by Lisa at q.D.PaToOtieS‘ Blythe Brain Sucking Monster Hat. I saw the image and never saved the pattern and then when I went to find it, I couldn’t! So I came up with my own way of putting together the monster hat (and shortly after I completed my first Blythe Monster Hat, I found the original pattern by Lisa).

Difficult Level: Easy

Size: Fits Blythe dolls (does not fit Petite Blythe).

Materials:
Worsted weight yarn (MC = Main Colour, CC = white)
5.00mm hook (US H/8)
2 buttons (does not need to be matching)
Yarn needle
Stitch markers (optional)

Notes:
For the purple hat, I used Red Heart Super Saver (purple, white) for both colours.
For the pink hat, I used Bernat Super Value (pink) and Red Heart Super Saver (white).
You need to know how to increase with single crochet stitches and how to do the magic ring.

Abbreviations:
sc – single crochet
ss – slip stitch
st – stitch
tr – triple crochet

Pattern Notes:
Number of stitches listed at the end of the row in the parentheses.
Pattern is worked in the round (not joined at the end of each round) – use stitch markers to help with counting.

Directions
Hat (in MC and CC)
Round 1: In MC, crochet 6 sc in a magic ring (6).
Round 2: *2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (12).
Round 3: *sc 1, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (18).
Round 4: *sc 2, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (24).
Round 5: *sc 3, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (30).
Round 6: *sc 4, 2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (36).
Round 7-12: Work even in sc (36).
Round 13: With CC, ss each st around (36).
Round 14: *sc 1, 1 tr* repeat 18 (36).
Fasten off, tuck in ends.

Eyes (in CC) – Make 2
Round 1: In CC, crochet 6 sc in a magic ring (6).
Round 2: *2 sc in next st* repeat 6 (12).
Fasten off, leave long tail for sewing.

Assembly
Attach buttons to eyes prior to attachment to hat. For a fun look, have the buttons looking in opposite directions or have the monster be cross-eyed.

—

This pattern is an original pattern by Michelle W. (March 2010). Please do not claim this pattern as your own. If you wish to share this pattern, you may link to this pattern but do not sell or otherwise distribute it. Items made from this pattern may not be sold as the pattern is for personal use only. Please contact me via my website http://chelle-chelle.com if you have any questions, comments or concerns.

The Cloche originates from the 1920s and was made of felt for a form-fitting bell-shaped hat. While I was looking for a new hat pattern to try out, I couldn’t find one for a cloche that I particularly liked. They were either too bell-shaped or not bell-shaped enough, so I decided to try my hand at making a cloche-inspired hat with just a subtle bell-shape that I wouldn’t mind wearing.

I tried out, for the first time, Nashua Handknits Creative Focus Superwash (50% merino, 50% wool). The yarn felt a little stiff when it was in the ball, but once it was crocheted up into the hat, it felt nice and soft. My only complaint about the yarn is that it splits easily when crocheting – this is a common issue with superwash yarns.

The pattern for this hat has been written up and has three different sizes available (21.25″, 22″ and 24″ for head circumference). The name of the pattern is Ruse, there’s no real story about where the name of the hat came from.

Want to make your own hat? The pattern is free! Click to download a PDF copy of the Ruse hat pattern.

Difficulty Level: Easy

Update August 21 2010: Due to some questions regarding how to proceed with Round 1 of the Ruse hat pattern, I’ve updated the pdf file with the second revision and it is now available for download.

A super cozy cowl made in bulky-weight yarn that is sure to be a quick project! The pattern is crocheted flat so you can stop when you reach the length you need to go around the wearer’s head.

Click to download a PDF copy of the Crochet Ribbed Cowl.