A wonderful client reached out to me recently with a special order: an ombre crochet beanie as a surprise gift for his girlfriend, just in time for the chilly weather. As usual, we discussed the design specifics and the price, after which I asked for her head measurement to ensure a perfect fit. While I prefer working with exact measurements to guarantee the best results, the client assured me that the standard female head size would be fine, so I agreed– though in hindsight , this might have been very risky.
Unfettered, I dove into the project and was able to complete the beanie on schedule, despite a packed routine. Let me walk you through the creation process:
Since the beanie was to have an ombre effect, I used the two colours the client picked out; cream and brown.
I began by making a chain of forty-seven stitches.. For row one, I made a total of forty single crochet stitches and seven slip stitches by the end of the project.
I repeated this same pattern for the rest of the rows but I ensured to put the stitches in the back loops only. Since I was working with a head measurement of 24 inches, I made the first 12 inches in one colour and the next 12 inches in a different colour.
After making both halves of the panel in different colours, I was pretty much done with the body of the beanie. Now, it was time to join the ends and close up the head.
To do this, I started from the single crochet layers and worked all the way up to the slip stitches.
Once I got to the slip stitches, I threaded the brand new metal darning needle that the lovely doreenarch gifted me and then proceeded to sew round. Once I got to the end, I pulled it close and went round one more time just to ensure it was rightly sealed. Finally, I sewed in the remaining yarn, cut off any loose strands and this brought me to the end of the crochet project.
Previously, I crocheted a similar ombre beanie using grey and black yarn with double crochet stitches. After comparing both beanies, I find myself leaning towards this one as the single crochet stitches gives it a subtler texture and a neater appearance.
So what are your thoughts on this beanie? Is there anything you particularly like about the style or the craftsmanship?
Images belong to me except stated otherwise.
