Crochet Camo Infant Bear Hat

My niece is expecting! I couldn't be happier to become a great aunt! Little Bobby should be arriving this April and everyone in our family is so excited.  As with most young mothers to be, my niece is already planning on having his newborn pictures taken by a professional.  This is such a special event that it is planned out well in advance. In fact, the photographer has everything except the hat! And that brings us to this extra special FREE crochet pattern.

My niece texted me a picture of what she wanted the other day, asking if I could possibly make one for her. Of course I said yes and after several attempts at crocheting a cute little camo infant hat I finally settled on the pattern you see above (my other attempts are in the photo at the bottom of the page).

I liked this one the most because you can't easily see the crochet rows making it look more like camouflage. This however does make the pattern a little more difficult. You really have to pay attention and count the number of rows as you crochet because going back and figuring out where you are is too difficult. The good news though is that you can finish the whole hat pretty fast! Definitely under an hour and it looks great with or without the ears :-)

I look forward to adding a picture of my new great nephew wearing the hat after he is born!

Supplies:

• 6.00 mm Hook
• Red Heart Camouflage Yarn (affiliate link)
• Yarn Needle
• Scissors

Directions for Hat:

• Row 1: Make a magic circle and do 8 sc. Connect with slip stitch.
• Row 2: Do 1 sc and 1 dc in each stitch around for a total of 20 stitches. Connect with slip stitch.
• Rows 3 - 4 are in the round: *put a marker in* - and keep count of your rows. With this pattern you WILL NOT be able to go back and count your rows! Chain 1 and sc 1 in stitch immediately next to the chain. Do 1 dc in next stitch, 1 sc in next, and 1 dc in the next. In each of the next two stitches: do 1 sc and 1 dc (so two increases). Then 1 sc, 1dc, 1 sc, 1 dc for then next four stitches. Then repeat the increase with a 1 sc and 1 dc in each of the next two stitches. Repeat this pattern twice around.
• Rows 5 - 11: Continue in the round alternating with 1 sc, then 1 dc all the way around. There will not be any more increases. Be sure to end the 11th row with a single crochet and slip stitch to connect and end the row.
• Row 12: chain 1 and sc in each stitch all the way around. Slip stitch to connect.
• Row 13: chain 3, and dc in the front loop only of each stitch all the way around. Slip stitch to connect.
• Finishing: Turn hat inside out and working from the opposite side do a slip stitch all the way around. Be sure to do the slip stitch very loose so that the hat will be able to stretch. If you do it too tight it will not fit on a babies head.

Ears (optional):

• Row 1: Chain 9, and sc into 8th stitch and all the way down to end, continue around the opposite side with 8 more sc, and slip stitch to connect.
• Row 2: 1 sc, then do a decrease sc (go into stitch and pull yarn through, then go through next stitch and pull yarn through both loops on hook). Do 2 more times for a total of three decreases. Single crochet around the end, and do three sc decreases on the opposite side. Knot off and leave at least 12 inches of 'tail' when cutting for finishing.
• Finishing: Turn ear inside out and thread the tail on the yarn needle. Bend the end of the ear toward the other side and sew together up the middle. Then use the remaining tail to sew the ears onto the hat. To position them correctly, lay the hat flat and lay the ears in the right spot. Then use the yarn to anchor them in place until they are sewn on.
• Weave and snip all loose ends :-)

Trial and error until I came up with a pattern I liked!

The hat is perfect on my sweet nephew :-)

Enjoy and thanks for visiting!
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Sincerely,