Valentine’s Day is coming up and I don’t know about you but I feel as though it is the most under appreciated holiday. Even people in committed relationships seem to have strong feelings against it. I’m really don’t understand why though. Valentine’s Day is so fun! Hearts, flowers, and chocolate are all on my list of favorite things. What’s not to like? I LOVE love!

Having a daughter makes Valentines Day even more special in our house. Seeing my husband come home with a bouquet of roses just for her turns me right to mush. Watching him bring a smile to his little Valentine’s face is gift enough for me each February. (If he asks though, you can remind him I like diamonds…just kidding, sort of.)

Little girls have a way of making everything a little more fun. She’s so excited for Valentines Day that a heart inspired hat was a must. When I asked her what colors she wanted her answer was predictable- pink and purple! Of course. I don’t know why I even asked.

I decided to make her hat using Sweet Roll Yarn by Premier Yarns from Joann Fabric. I love the ease of yarn cakes and the Raspberry Swirl was the perfect color combo for my girly girl. It was the first time I’ve used Sweet Roll Yarn and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised with how plush it is. I will definitely be adding it into my regular yarn rotation.

To create the heart shaped pattern I used a V shaped puff stitch. In this pattern I’m calling it a Heart Puff Stitch because don’t they look just like the cutest squishy little hearts?!

Sweetheart Hat

(size – toddler/preschooler)

Materials:

5.5mm (I) hook
Sweet Roll Yarn in Raspberry Swirl
Scissors
Pompom maker (I love mine by Clover!)
Tapestry needle to weave in ends

Abbreviations:

ch – chain
sl st – slip stitch
st(s) – stitch(es)
SC – single crochet
HDC – half double crochet
BLO – back loop only
sk – skip

Special Stitches:

Heart Puff Stitch (or V shaped puff stitch) – YO, insert hook through st, YO, pull through (3 loops on hook), YO, insert hook through st, YO, pull through (5 loops on hook), YO, insert Hook through st, YO, pull through (7 loops on hook), YO, pull through all 7 loops (puff stitch created), ch 1, in same st YO, insert hook through st, YO, pull through (3 loops on hook), YO, insert hook through st, YO, pull through (5 loops on hook), YO, insert Hook through st, YO, pull through (7 loops on hook), YO, pull through all 7 loops (2nd puff stitch created)

Notes:

• I chose to change colors every 4 rows to create uniform color block pattern. To do this I cut my yarn (leaving a tail to weave in) at the end of the row and set aside the rest of the length of that color until I reached the color change in the yarn. I then cut the yarn at the color change, joined the yarn with the new color and continued crocheting. Feel free to continue using the cake through its natural color changes if you prefer. The color block pattern can also be achieved by using 3 separate skeins of yarn.
• Hat is worked from bottom up starting with the brim.
• To make your hat larger or smaller increase or decrease stitches around brim by multiples of 3.
• For larger hats or a hat with more slouch increase the number of rows by 2 rows at a time.
• Save this pattern to your Ravelry site for easy reference.

Pattern:

Brim:

Ch 7

R1: SC in 2nd ch from hook, SC 5, turn (6)

R2: Ch 1, SC BLO (6)

Repeat R2 until brim is 17 inches long (it will by stretchy). Sl st short ends together, do not finish off.

Hat:

R1: Ch 1, SC 60 around edge of brim, sl st to join

R2: Ch 3, *Heart Puff Stitch, ch 1, sk 2**, repeat *to ** around, sl st to join

R3: Ch 1, SC in same st, *ch1, sk 1, SC in ch 1 sp**, repeat from * to **, sl st to join

R4: Ch 3, *Heart Puff Stitch, Ch 1, sk 3**, repeat * to ** around, sl st to join

R5-11: Repeat R3-4

R12: Repeat R3

R13: Ch 1, sc2tog, repeat around, sl st to join (30)

R14: Ch 1, sc2tog, repeat around, sl st to join (15)

R15: Ch 1, sc, *sc2tog, repeat * around, sl st to join (8)

R16: Ch 1, sc2tog, repeat around, finish off leaving long tail to pull tight (4)

Weave in ends with tapestry needle.

Make pompom and attach to the top.

Stop by and say “hi” on Facebook to show me your little sweethearts!

Also don’t forget to follow me on Instagram and share your post using #LaceKennedyCrochet.

Happy Valentine’s Day!

xo,

e.