One of my favorite parts about crochet or hobbies in general is the people we get to meet and friendships we create. I have been blessed (yep, definitely a miracle in my life) to have extraordinary people come into my life because of crochet.
Some have a bigger impact than others. A couple of years ago I met a sweet lady and through messages and social media posts we became friends. She was battling cancer when we first met and her positive energy and drive to conquer life amazed me. Last year, as part of Sweet Potato 3‘s “Cancer Challenge”, I designed a series of “snappy friend” patterns with her in mind.
This is my friend, Pam and her grand daughter in the Snappy Friend Beanies I sent them. I love this picture.
Throughout her struggles, she still continually tried to boost those around her. Her posts about her “fighting pants”, adventures with her snappy ducks and encouragement to LIVE LIFE and be who I wanted to be were always a huge boost.
Earlier this summer her battle was coming to an end. I was worried she wouldn’t make it until fall. I wanted to make a special beanie for her and her grand daughter. We were getting ready to leave on our summer vacation so I grabbed some colorful yarn to get them made on the trip. I knew I would need to get them mailed as soon as I got home.
Pink is by far my favorite color, but I couldn’t decide between these two colors of “Hello Gorgeous” yarn by Red Heart Yarns. I posted a picture to get some help from snappy peeps. Everyone’s comments were the same things going on in my brain… back and forth, blue, pink, blue… I ended up getting the blues and started right away.
I kept thinking about that pink yarn and could hear Pam telling me I should have gotten the pink. Her and her grand daughter would each need a color so why didn’t I just buy both? Somewhere in the middle of Wyoming, on our way to SD (thank heavens for google maps to save yarn emergencies, right?), I found a Walmart and hoped they had one skein of pink.
As soon as I walked into Walmart on my yarn quest for Pam’s beanie, I got a notification on my phone. I had received a message from a friend. Sweet Pam had passed away that morning. *gulp*
Now Pam’s voice was telling me I better not cry because I HAD to get that yarn! Focusing on getting that yarn (thankfully they had it) and making her beanie helped fight back some of the tears. …and that’s about all I can say.
I think she would love her beanie. I love her for being the inspiration behind a colorful, happy hat… and for so much more. I know Pam would absolutely love for everyone to have a “pam” hat so the pattern is free.
The pattern is posted below but you can also download the file for free in honor of this courageous woman.
I hope you will make one for you and/or a friend to help you embrace life and live it to the fullest you can.
Hello Pam Beanie Pattern
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Materials and Details
- Yarn: 150 yards worsted weight yarn in color(s) of choice
- Samples: Red Heart Hello Gorgeous Cactus Flower (pink sample), Peacock (blue sample)
- Crochet Hook: I (5.5mm)
- Miscellaneous: yarn needle
- Sizes: Child 5-10 years, Teen-Adult
- Gauge: I hook and 4” = 13 hdc and 9 rounds
Tips
- The number at the beginning of each line refers to the step and not the number of rows.
- Stitch counts remain the same unless noted at end of row.
- Substitute colors as desired. Try to use similar weight yarns, preferably all the same brand.
Beanie: Child Size 5-10 Years
This hat is worked in the round. Do not join at the end of each round until stated in pattern. Place a marker to keep track of the beginning of the round.
- With an I hook and yarn (color of choice), start with a magic circle of 8 sc sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 8 sc sts). Pull closed and place a marker to keep track of the beginning of the round. (8sts)
- 2sc in each stitch to end of round. (16sts)
- *hdc, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)
- *hdc 2, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
- *hdc 3, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (40sts)
- *hdc 4, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (48sts) 4.5” across
- *hdc 5, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (56sts) 5.5” across
- Sc in next st, sl st in next st. This is the new start of the round and each round will be joined at the end from now on. Ch 2 (counts as a st), 2dc in same st, sk 2, *3dc in next st, sk 2*, repeat to end of round, sl st in top of ch 2 to join. (56sts)
- Ch 2, TURN, 2dc in first space, 3dc in each space to end of round, sl st in top of ch 2 to join.
- Repeat previous round 9 more times or until beanie is desired length.
- Ch 1. Turn if needed to work from outside/right side of beanie. Sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.
- Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st in first st to join. Finish off and weave in ends.
Beanie: Teen – Adult
This hat is worked in the round. Do not join at the end of each round until stated in pattern. Place a marker to keep track of the beginning of the round.
- With an I hook and yarn (color of choice), start with a magic circle of 8 sc sts (or preferred method for starting a circle of 8 sc sts). Pull closed and place a marker to keep track of the beginning of the round. (8sts)
- 2sc in each stitch to end of round. (16sts)
- *hdc, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (24sts)
- *hdc 2, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (32sts)
- *hdc 3, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (40sts)
- *hdc 4, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (48sts) 4.5” across
- *hdc 5, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (56sts) 5.5” across
- *hdc 13, 2hdc in next st*, repeat to end of round. (60sts) 6.5” across
- Sc in next st, sl st in next st. This is the new start of the round and each round will be joined at the end from now on. Ch 2 (counts as a st), 2dc in same st, sk 2, *3dc in next st, sk 2*, repeat to end of round, sl st in top of ch 2 to join. (60sts)
- Ch 2, TURN, 2dc in first space, 3dc in each space to end of round, sl st in top of ch 2 to join.
- Repeat previous round 11 more times or until beanie is desired length.
- Ch 1. Turn if needed to work from outside/right side of beanie. Sc in each st to end of round, sl st to join.
- Ch 1, sc in same st and in each st to end of round, sl st in first st to join. Finish off and weave in ends.
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