by Kelly Olsen

Created on: September 02, 2009   Last Updated: September 07, 2009

Cold weather is a coming! Time to think hats and mittens, scarfs and cowls. Kids are not known for leaving their hats on their heads, neither are some adults. One way to make the hats a little more inviting is to make them yourself. By doing this you can customize to your child's likes, needs and wants.

To start off with pick up a book at your local library, one of your magazines or go online with your child to find the perfect pattern. Which would be one that both you and the kiddo likes as well as one that you are capable of doing. (There will be a list of sites at the bottom of this article to use a starting point.) Figure out if they want something simple, or shaped, fun and funky or dark and mysterious. Younger kids tend to like hats that look like something they like. Examples of this would be hats with dog ears, or apple leaves and a stem. Middle school and high school age kids can vary though beyond belief.

Second is to either go through your yarn stash or take your child with you to the store to purchase the color or colors of yarn that they would like their hat made in. Buttons, patches, pins or even jewels can all be picked out as well to jazz up any pattern you might have found. Having your offspring involved with the creative process not only creates bonding time with you but also creates a bond between the child and the hat. Making them want to wear it.

A very basic hat though is the stocking cap. Vintage pictures of kids running down the street with their long pom pom-ed hats flowing behind them can be found almost any where. One reason is because they are by far one of the simplest hats to make. To make one of these vintage beauties ch 5 and turn and crochet in second ch from hook, 3 sc. ch 2 and turn. Now from here on out you will add one stitch to both the beginning and end of each row ch 2 and turn. When the last row will wrap around your child's head tie off. Fold in half and give a quick whip stitch up the seam. Turn right side out and embellish as you like. Jingle bells add a bit of holiday cheer. This basic pattern can be made in stripes or even better yet use a self patterning or striping yarn. This simple pattern is also a great beginner project for a youngster to start off making their own hat.

Some sites to check out are: https://www.lionbrand.com, , EW56Bhttp://www.allfreecrafts.comWH6PDwww.allfreecra fts.com, www.craftown.com, www.headhuggers.org, www.freevintagecrochet.com Z6EFP

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