Santa Baby, Long Stocking Cap Crochet Pattern

This hat turned out so cute.  I made it just for personal use but I thought others may like to make one as well.  Like so many of my patterns, this hat is worked in a continuous spiral.  It is so much easier than joining rows and makes for a seamless hat.  I made this hat in classic Santa Claus colors but you could make it in any color combination you like.

This pattern is written with US crochet terms.  You may want to use a stitch marker or a scrap piece of yarn to make the start of each row.  I find its easy enough without stitch markers, so long as you can finish a row before putting it down, and keep track of which row you are on if you do need to set it down.  I have put the stitch count at the end of each row so you can double check yourself as you go.

You will need about 3 ounces of worsted weight yarn in the main color, 1 ounce or less of contrasting color, size H crochet hook (or a similar size would also work), a pom pom maker or a way to make a pom pom or tassel (there are lots of directions online to make pom poms without a pom pom maker) and a length of 1/4 inch elastic (optional)




Long Stocking Cap
With main color, begin with a magic ring, or alternatively you can ch 3, sl st in 3rd ch from the hook to form a loop and work your first stitches into that loop.
Row 1) 1 sc, 1 hdc, 1 dc into the magic ring or loop. (3 stitches)
Row 2) continue around, do not join or start a new row, just continuously spiral around.  Put 2 dc in the first sc you make in row 1, then 2 dc in the next stitch which is the hdc, then 2 dc in the 3rd st from row 1 which is the dc  (6 st)
Row 3) 1 dc in each st around (6 st)
Row 4) *2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next 1 st, repeat from * 2 more times (9 st)
Row 5) repeat row 3 (9 st)
Row 6) *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 st, repeat from * 2 more times (12 st)
Row 7) repeat row 3 (12 st)
Row 8) *2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next 3 st, repeat from * 2 more times (15 st)
Row 9) repeat row 3 (15 st)
Row 10) *2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next 4 st, repeat from * 2 more times (18 st)
Row 11) repeat row 3 (18 st)
Row 12) *2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next 5 st, repeat from * 2 more times (21 st)
Row 13) repeat row 3 (21 st)
Row 14) *2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next 6 st, repeat from * 2 more times (24 st)
Row 15) repeat row 3 (24 st)
Row 16) *2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next 7 st, repeat from * 2 more times (27 st)
Row 17) repeat row 3 (27 st)
Row 18) *2 dc in the next st, 1 dc in the next 8 st, repeat from * 2 more times (30 st)
Row 19) repeat row 3 (30 st)

can you see where this is going?  you need to continue alternating rows in which you increase by 3 stitches, and rows in which you do not increase at all.

As the hat gets longer is also gets larger around the end.  Just continue in this fashion until the opening of the hat is large enough to fit.  The tail should be correspondingly long enough but if you would like it longer you can do row 3 (the row with no increases) several times to make the hat longer but not larger around.

Once your hat is as long as you like, switch to a new color if you would like a contrasting color for the brim.  Otherwise continue with the same color.  Repeat row 3 (the row with no increases)  5 or more times.  The larger the hat, the larger the brim should be to look balanced.

Finish the hat with a pom pom or tassel on the tip of the tail.  The weight of the pompom/tassel will pull the tail down so that it hangs properly, otherwise your hat may look more like a gnome's hat rather than a jolly old elf's hat.  To fit my little one better I added some 1/4 inch elastic.  Weave in through the dc of the last row in main color.  Once the brim is folded up it will hide the elastic and it provides a better fit.

I hope you enjoy this pattern.  Feel free to make this for your self, to give as a gift or to donate.  No commercial license are available, please do not sell this pattern or the finished item for profit.  It was designed and written by me, please credit me as designer and link back to this original pattern when sharing.  I appreciate your ongoing support, its the only way I can continue to produce patterns and tutorials.

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Curly Crochet Christmas Ornament ~ Pattern and Video Tutorial

I love soft, lightweight ornaments.  You can hang them low without worries of babies or kitties breaking them and you can hang them on even flimsy Charlie Brown style trees without the branches sagging too much. This ornament is incredibly quick and easy to make.  I can make one up in about 5 minutes with about 5 yards of yarn.  You can make them in all sorts of bright colors.  Make up a bunch to give to friends and family but make sure you keep a few for yourself.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will be sure to get back to you.

You can use any type of yarn (or even thread) for this pattern.  In the tutorial I used Red Heart Super Saver and a size G hook but any hook that matches the yarn you are using would be fine.  Gauge is not very important for this pattern as a slightly larger or smaller ornament would still work and look lovely.  Other than that, the only other tool you will need is a pair of scissors.

BLO - back loop only

ch - chain

dc - double crochet

sl st - slip stitch

Curly Christmas Tree Ornaments

Leave a 6 inch tail at the beginning 

Ch 18 (you can adjust the number of chains, but I recommend not going any shorter than 12 ch) 

3 dc in BLO of 4th ch from the hook and in each ch to the last 2 ch

2 dc in BLO of second to last ch, ch 3, sl st into that same space (the second to last ch)

Ch1 to fasten off, pull a long tail (about 6 inches), clip your working yarn and pull the yarn through that last ch.  Pull snug to tighten that last chain down.

Pull the beginning tail snug to tighten the last ch of the foundation chain down.

Holding the two long tails together, tie an overhand knot to create a hanger, clip the excess tails for a tidy finish.  Shape the ornament with your fingers in whatever shape you like.  

Thank you for checking out my pattern and tutorial!  Feel free to use this pattern for yourself or to give as a gift.  Please link back to this original blog post or the video tutorial when sharing.

You may also be interested in 

Starburst Motif (Christmas Ornament) 

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Mini Woven Basket (could be used as an ornament)

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Molasses Cookie Recipe

I used to have marathon cookie baking sessions with my friend Matt.  He made a great molasses cookie and he was kind enough to share his recipe with me.  It's chewy, spicy, and always comes out great.  I know some people will sub out the shortening for butter but to get the best texture shortening is the way to go.



Ingredients
1 1/2 cups shortening melted
2 cups white sugar
1/2 cup molasses
2 eggs
4 cups flour
4 tsp baking soda
2 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp ground cloves
1 tsp ground ginger
1 tsp salt

Mix together dry ingredients
Cream together shortening and sugar.  Add eggs one at a time then add the molasses.  Stir in dry ingredients.  Dough will be stiff.  Scoop with a cookie scoop or portion out dough into walnut size balls.  Roll dough in you hands to form smooth balls.  Roll balls in sugar, place on a cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.  Press the dough balls with the bottom of a glass to flatten slightly.  Bake at 375 F for 8-10 minutes.  Cool on a wire rack.  The cookies will puff up then shrink back down to a crinkly chewy cookie as they cool.

Check out all the great recipes all Cookie Week long!

Pecan Sandies

Pecan sandies are one of those cookies you make to impress.  They are the gem of a cookie platter and the talk of the cookie exchange.  I don't know if its the buttery crumbly cookie or the big fat pecan crowning the buttery crumbly cookie.  Either way, they are a delicious addition to Cookie Week!

Ingredients

1 cup (2 sticks) dairy free margarine (Earth Balance) feel free to use butter if you are able

1 cup canola oil

1/2 cup sugar

1/2 cup brown sugar

1 cup powdered sugar

2 eggs

1 tsp vanilla

4 cups flour

1 tsp baking soda

1 tsp cream of tartar

1 tsp salt

2 cups chopped pecans plus pretty pecan halves for the top of each cookie if desired

Mix the dry ingredients

Cream the margarine, oil and the three sugars until a smooth batter

Add eggs, one at a time, then add vanilla

Spoon the dry ingredient and mix just until incorporated.  

Stir in the chopped nuts

Chill dough for about an hour then scoop and bake OR

Scoop the dough then chill 20 minutes then bake OR

Scoop the dough, then freeze for about 1 hour then transfer to a zipper bag and store in the freezer.

When it's time to bake, roll each dough ball in granulated sugar, top each dough ball with a pecan half or slightly flatten, then bake at 375 F for 10 -12 minutes.  Remove to a wire rack, cool, and store in an airtight container.

Be sure to check out all the other great recipes all Cookie Week long!

Halloween Goody Bags : 5 Fun Crafts

Have you heard of Teal Pumpkin Project?  Its a great way to include all children, including those with food allergies or dietary restrictions, this Halloween.  I did not have food restrictions as a child, but I do now and it just plain stinks. Missing out on candy is bad enough, but to miss out on the run all together?  Its a double whammy!

I hope the Teal Pumpkin Project takes off and becomes a new normal.  It's not any more bother or expensive than buying candy.  There are all sorts of inexpensive holiday treats and trinkets.  You can find little toys, bubbles, pencils, stickers, glow sticks and the like at dollar stores, party stores, craft stores, Target, or mail order catalogs.  There are some really fun things to buy, but I like to make instead of buy whenever possible.  I also have a closet of craft supplies to use.

I looked all over Pinterest, Google, and Youtube looking for fun little crafts I could make for my Halloween goody.  I made up 5 things that I thought kids would like but there were so many good ideas.  I collected all my favorite things on a Non-Food Treat Pin Board.


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Fun Halloween crafts to make for trick or treat or party goody bags.
Submitted to Whip It Up Wednesday
Submitted to A Handful of Everything