My Favorite Crochet Pattern

I use this pattern just about EVERY time I need to make a hat. Its my GO-TO. I love the fit personally, so I grab this one first every time.

BERNAT® COTTONTOTS CROCHET BEAR HAT

SIZES
To fit baby’s head sizes 12 (18-24) mos.

MATERIALS
Bernat® Cottontots (100 g /3.5 oz; 156 m/171 yds)
Sizes 12 mos 18 mos 24 mos Main Color (MC)
(90007 Sweet Cream) 1 1
Contrast A
(90420 Pretty in Pink) 1 1
Size 5 mm (U.S. H or 8) crochet hook or size needed to obtain gauge. 1 snap fastener.

GAUGE
15 hdc and 11 rows = 4 ins [10 cm].

ABBREVIATIONS: www.bernat.com/abbreviations

INSTRUCTIONS
The instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Numbers for each size are shown in the same color throughout the pattern. When only one number is given in black, it applies to all sizes.

Note: Ch 2 at beg of rnds does not count as hdc throughout.
With MC, ch 3.


1st rnd: 8 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Join with sl st to first hdc. 8 hdc.
2nd rnd: Ch 2. 2 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 16 hdc. 3rdrnd:Ch2.*1hdcinnexthdc.2hdcin next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 24 hdc.
4th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc in each of next 2 hdc. 2 hdc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 32 hdc.
5th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc in each of next 3 hdc. 2 hdc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 40 hdc.
6th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc in each of next 4 hdc. 2 hdc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 48 hdc.
7th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc in each of next 5 hdc. 2 hdc in next dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 56 hdc.

Sizes 18 and 24 mos only: 8th rnd: Ch 2. *1hdcineachofnext6hdc.2hdcinnext dc. Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 64 hdc.

Size 24 mos only: 9th rnd: Ch 2. *1 hdc ineachofnext7hdc.2hdcinnextdc.Rep from * around. Join with sl st to first hdc. 72 hdc.

All sizes: Next rnd: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each hdc around. Join with sl st to first hdc.
Rep last rnd until work from beg measures 6 (61⁄2 -7) ins [15 (16.5-18) cm].
Fasten off.

Left Chin Strap
Join MC with sl st to 9th (11th-13th) hdc of last rnd.
**Next row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each of next 11 hdc. Turn. Leave rem sts unworked. Next row: Ch 2. (Yoh and draw up a loop in next st) twice. Yoh and draw through all 5 loops on hook – hdc2tog made. 1 hdc in each of next 7 hdc. Hdc2tog. Turn. 9 hdc. Next row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each of next 5 hdc. Hdc2tog. Turn. 7 hdc.
Next row: Ch 2. Hdc2tog. 1 hdc in each of next 3 hdc. Hdc2tog. Turn. 5 hdc.
Next row: Ch 2. 1 hdc in each hdc to end of row. Turn.
Rep last row until chin strap measures 2 (21⁄2-3) ins [5 (6-7.5) cm].
Fasten off.**

Right Chin Strap
Join MC with sl st to 38th (44th-50th) hdc of last rnd.
Work from ** to ** as given for Left Chin Strap.
Front Ears (make 2).
With A, ch 3.
1st row: 7 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. Turn. 7 hdc. 2ndrow:Ch2.2hdcineachhdctoend of row. Join MC. Turn. 14 hdc.
3rd row: With MC, ch 1. *1 sc in next hdc. 2scinnexthdc.Repfrom*toendofrow. 21 sc. Fasten off.
Back Ears (make 2).
With MC, work as for Front Ears, omitting color references.

Finishing
Join Ears: With WS of pieces tog, join MC with sl st through both thicknesses and work 1 rnd of sc around Front and Back Ears to join. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Edging: Join A with sl st at center back of Hat. Ch 1. Work 1 rnd of sc evenly around, working 3 sc in corners of Chin Straps. Join with sl st to first sc. Fasten off.
Sew snap fastener to Chin Straps. Sew Ears to Hat as shown in picture.