Needleworkmonday: A Ribbed Hat And A Cat

This is my first entry for #needleworkmonday. It is a ribbed toque/hat I crocheted with the dark green and white colors of Hubby’s favourite football team.

I never learned to knit although my mother tried to teach me when I was young. she was always knitting sweaters and socks. Later in life a friend was crocheting and showed me how she did it. I picked it up easily doing a few Afghan blankets and dishcloths at first.

Like everything else, I put it aside and started on other projects. The computer takes up a lot of time! I picked up the crochet hook up again when the Dorian storm took out the power for a couple days. I had forgotten how relaxing it is to sit quietly and crochet. Apparently good for the blood pressure too.

The finished toque-





It’s a simple straightforward method using medium weight worsted yarn. I used the single crochet stitch (sc) for the toque but it can be done faster and looks just as nice being crocheted with the half double crochet (hdc) stitch.

How I made the toque:

The measurement for the head is necessary. I measured around Hubby’s head when I made a previous toque and it was 23 inches by measuring around the head by the top of the ears.

I used a 4.00 mm hook but a larger hook of 5 or 5.50 could be used. 4 and 4.50 mm are my favourite size hooks to crochet with. I don’t like the work to be too loose.

• Chain 40 stitches. Although 35 chains would have been plenty, I used 40 chains to have a good brim to fold back on the toque.

• Turn and start single crocheting (sc) in second chain from end all the way across.

• After the foundation row is finished, Chain one, Turn and then sc in back loops only of each stitch-this will give the ribbed look.

• Sc back and forth in the back loops until work reaches about 21 inches.
  Note: I didn’t want to make the hat to the exact size of his head as the yarn will stretch.

• I added the white in two strips only. It’s a matter of choice whether to alternate the white strip all around but I thought two were enough to pick up the white color.

Measuring the work. Basically i am crocheting a rectangle.





Once I had the necessary length, I folded the work in two with the strips facing downward. The sides can be slip stitches together or sewed up with the yarn needle. I prefer to use the crochet hook and slip stitch the sides together.

Now the work is in a tube shape, secure the end leaving a foot of yarn for closing the top with a yarn needle. In closing the top go in and about the stitches on the top and gather them together. This gathering will close any hole at the top.

Make sure to secure the ends and weave in any left hanging.

Roll up the brim and add a Pom-Pom on the top if you like. I didn’t put a Pom-Pom on as it may not be to Hubby’s taste.

Sunday Cat is always sitting on my lap while I crocheted the toque and is checking out the work.





I can’t tell if Sunday is satisfied with the crocheting or just doesn’t give a darn. :)

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#thealliance