Free Pattern: Ballerina Sunhat ~ Snappy Tots

A fun sun hat for all ages. Make with or without the tutu. Great for boys too…just leave off the flowers. Add your favorite animal pieces for fun variations.

Also includes a large bow and halo of flowers that are cute on other things as well.

Ballerina Kitty

Materials

Yarn: worsted weight yarn in a variety of colors
Yarn used in sample: Red Heart White, Perfect Pink, Shocking Pink, Bright Yellow, Lavender, Black

Crochet Hooks: G, I
Miscellaneous: yarn needle, pink tulle (optional), black embroidery floss or thin black yarn

Gauge: 4″ = 13hdc and 9 rounds

Sizes: newborn to adult

Directions

With I hook and white, start with a magic loop of 6 jsts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 6sts), join and pull closed.

Follow increases until desired size, as listed at the end of the row, then skip to “for all sizes” and continue.
Note: Do not join at the end of each round, unless stated. This hat is worked in a continuous round to avoid a “seam” look.
1. 2sc in each stitch to end of round (12sts).
2. *hdc, 2 hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (18sts)
3. *hdc 2, 2 hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)
4. *hdc 3, 2 hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (30sts) newborn
5. *hdc 4, 2 hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (36sts) 3-6 mths
6. *hdc 5, 2 hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (42sts) 6-12 mths
7. *hdc 6, 2 hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (48sts) 12-24 mths
8. *hdc 7, 2 hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (54sts) Child/preteen
9. *hdc 8, 2 hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (60sts) Teen/Adult
10. *hdc 9, 2 hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (66sts) Large adult

For all sizes: Remove marker and hdc each stitch until hat is 1.5” shorter then desired length (see chart at end of pattern).

Newborn/3-6mths size:
1. Sc in next st, change to pink, ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, join with sl st.
2. Ch 2, *hdc 5, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, join with sl st.
3. Repeat previous round. Sc in next st, finish off and weave in ends.

6-24mths size:
1. Sc in next st, change to pink, ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, join with sl st.
2. Ch 2, *hdc 5, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, join with sl st.
3-4. Repeat previous round. Sc in next st, finish off and weave in ends.

Child/preteen size:
1. Sc in next st, change to pink, ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, join with sl st.
2. Ch 2, hdc 4, *2hdc in next st, hdc 4*, repeat to end of round, join with sl st.
3-5. Repeat previous round. Sc in next st, finish off and weave in ends.

Teen-Large Adult size:
1. Sc in next st, change to pink, ch 2, hdc in each st to end of round, join with sl st.
2. Ch 2, *hdc 5, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round, join with sl st.
3-6. Repeat previous round. Sc in next st, finish off and weave in ends.

Features for all sizes: Use one size smaller hook for newborn to 24 mths sizes if desired
Eyes (make 2): With G hook and black, Ch 4 (or magic loop of 4sts), join and pull closed. Finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing in place. Sew photo for placement. Shape eyes into an oval when stitching to hat.

Nose: With I hook and yellow, Ch 6 (or magic loop of 6sts), join and pull closed. Finish off, leaving a long tail for sewing in place. Sew photo for placement. Shape nose into an oval when stitching to hat.

Whiskers are stitched in place with thin, black yarn or embroidery floss.

Ears (make 2): With I hook and white, ch 9, sc in 2nd ch from hook and across, ch 1, turn. Sk first st, sc across, ch 1, turn*, repeat until 2 stitches remain. Sc2tog. Ch 1, sc evenly around entire ear. DO NOT place 2 sts in the corners. This will help round the ears slightly. Finish off, leaving a long tail for attaching to the hat. See photo for ear placement and using the lines from the rounds as a guide, sew the bottom edge of ears in place.

Flowers: There are 8 flowers in the sample, made from a combination of purple, pink and yellow.
Using a G hook and yarn, ch 5, join to form a circle and pull closed OR work a magic loop of 5 sts.
In first st, (ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2), sl st in next st. *(ch 2, 3 dc, ch 2) in next st. sl st in next sc.* continue until 5 petals are made. Finish off and weave in ends.
Lay the flowers out to find the sequence you would like for the halo. With matching yarn and yarn needle sew the flowers together by overlapping two petals and taking a couple of stitches. Tie a knot and weave in ends. Repeat until you have formed a ring. I chose not to attach the ring to the hat, but you could take a few stitches to keep it in place if desired.

Tutu (optional)
Cut several strands of tulle, approx. twice the length of the pink section on the hat x 1.5-2” wide. Fold in half and pull the center loop through a stitch where the white meets the pink on the hat. Pull the ends through the loop and pull snug. Note: The tulle doesn’t slide easily and may stretch the stitches if not careful. Place a finger on the stitch as the tulle is pulled. This will help prevent stretching.

Bow
1. With G hook and pink yarn, ch 13. Dc in 3rd chain from hook and each chain across turn.
2-23. Ch 3, dc in each stitch across.
Finish off, leaving a tail of approximately 35 inches. Using a yarn needle and yarn tail, sew the short ends of the strip together to form a loop. Pinch the loop together in the middle and wrap the yarn tails around, forming the bow. Knot ends on the back of the bow. Use remaining yarn to attach box to hat. Sample is sewn at an angle to show the face better.

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