Hats can either be an essential item or a fashion accessory depending not only on the season, but also on the time of the day.

If you are a crochet buff, you can make lovely hats to match your clothes – and be the envy of your neighbours

They don’t take up much wardrobe space like the conventional hats do – unless they are wired around the brim and top to give them shape.

Read this carefully before you begin hunting around for hat patterns. You need to know about testing gauge.

1. Stitch gauge differs from person to person.
2. All instructions in crochet patterns come with gauge – number of stitches per inch of the crochet project – it is simply measuring the tightness or looseness of your work.
3. Factors that affect gauge are yarn size, your hook size and most important of all your own working tension.
4. Some patterns mention the stitch height too – e.g. 2 rows of pattern stitch = 1½.”
5. First work a test swatch – if for e.g. the stitch gauge in the pattern mentions 20 dc = 8cm and 4 rows of dc = 3 cm, make the required number of chains, work 4 rows of dc.
6. If the test swatch is bigger than indicated use a smaller hook. If the test swatch is smaller use a larger hook.
7. Work another swatch using the appropriate hook until you get the right gauge.
8. Don’t skip this step – unless you want to be disappointed - the size of your finished project depends on your gauge – this only takes a few minutes. Imagine having to rip off your entire project and starting over, just because you couldn’t be bothered with changing hooks and working test swatches!!! You get the idea?
9. Don’t let this step put you off of the project - it can be the most satisfying part – especially if your project is a perfect fit.

Now for some pattern hunting.

http://crochet.about.com/gi/dynamic/offsite.htm?zi=1/XJ/Ya&sdn=
crochet&cdn=hobbies&tm=205&gps=79_5_1138_817&f=21&su=p445.92.150.ip_
&tt=14&bt=0&bts=1&zu=http%3A//joann.lionbrand.com/patterns/cchs-hat.htm - this link has a lovely child’s hat pattern.

http://crochet.about.com/od/hats2/a/hatsbytype.htm - a link that sorts hat patterns by style.

http://croshaydesign.com/patts.php - this link has some crochet hats for sale.

If you understand the basic hat design, you can create your own hats (not if you are a first timer). Follow the pointers below:

Ø Measure your head around the broadest part – say it measures about 30’’

Ø Select any crochet pattern that takes your fancy.

Ø Work a test swatch – worked over 2 multiples (1 multiple does not always give you an accurate gauge) of the required number of chains and 3 rows in pattern.

Ø Let’s assume your test swatch measures 3”. Your target is 30” – therefore you need to repeat the pattern (30 divided by 3 = ) 10 times.

Ø Embellish your hats with ribbons and/or Irish crochet trims. Here is the link to Priscilla Irish Crochet Book, No. 1.

http://www.antiquepatternlibrary.org/PriscillaPublishing.htm.

Simply let your imagination soar. When your friends get to see your delightful creation, they will be enticed into saying hats off to you.