Wednesday, November 17, 2010

Surface Braid Hat - free pattern!

ETA 11/18/2010: Thanks to a comment from Sirdar (am I to believe that's actually a representative of Sirdar yarn fame? - how cool!!), this stitch has a name! Well, a couple of names it turns out. And it's been around for ages! Also known as Camel Crochet (tm?), the Hump stitch, and a couple of other titles that aren't really used. This stitch is so cool, no matter what it's called. I am surprised it isn't more mainstream. Hopefully, with the pattern now having a presence on Ravelry, Crochet Pattern Central and Crochetville, this neat stitch will become more popular. Can't wait to see what others do with it! Thanks Sirdar!

Now back to the regularly scheduled program...

I guess it's been awhile, eh? I've been busy. Really, really, really busy (as my 2 year old would say). I am working on my first ever graded (sized) wearable pattern, and it's so fun! But also lots of work. Anyway, to take a little break from the grind, I came up with this new hat pattern. Hope you all enjoy! It was a surprise and an accident how I came upon this stitch technique. I know I didn't invent it, but after hours of scouring the internet, I can tell you almost NO ONE is using it. Hopefully this free pattern will excite others on it and we will start to see it used more. It's incredibly stretchy and would make a great chemo cap. (Hint, hint! My fav chemo cap group is Knots Of Love. If you can, make a hat for them!)

Surface Braid hat


Materials:
I or J hook - I crochet tightly and used a J, but the hat is so stretchy that you will probably want to use an I hook for more form-fitting results
ww/aran yarn (probably about 100 yds, but I forgot to weigh it. sorry!)
stitch marker (optional but recommended)

Notes:
This hat is worked seamlessly. Do not join rounds. Use stitch markers if necessary to identify the first stitch in each round. All stitches, after first round, are made into the back spine of the stitch (see video for clear instruction). And, this hat is reversible; either side makes for a great looking hat!

Special stitch:
See video for special stitch technique! (or see bottom of post for written instructions!)



Pattern:
Round 1: Ch 3, 12 hdc in 3rd ch from hook. (12 hdc)
Round 2: 2hdc in of each st around. (24 hdc)
Round 3: 2hdc in first st, hdc next st. *2hdc, hdc. Repeat from * to end. (36 hdc)
Round 4: 2hdc in first st, hdc next 2 st. *2hdc, hdc 2. Repeat from * to end. (48 hdc)
Round 5: 2hdc in first st, hdc next 3 st. *2hdc, hdc 3. Repeat from * to end. (60hdc)
Round 6: 2hdc in first st, hdc next 4 st. *2hdc, hdc 4. Repeat from * to end. (72 hdc)
Round 7: hdc in each hdc around.
Rounds 8 – end: Repeat Round 7 until desired length (between 7 – 8” for adult)
If making a child’s hat, eliminate Round 6 and Repeat Round 7 until the hat reaches between 6 – 7” tall.

Close up of the stitch definition...you can really see the braided feature sitting on the top of the hat.














And, like so many great things, this hat looks just as interesting when turned inside out!













UPDATE:

For those who are unable to view the video, I am so sorry that I didn't write out the instructions. Silly me! Anyway, here goes...

Create a hdc as normal EXCEPT instead of inserting the hook under the front and/or back loops, turn your work towards you slightly and find the horizontal bar just below the top loops. Insert your hook under that bar, and complete the hdc as normal. This pushes the front and back top loops to the front of your work, showcasing the neat braid effect!

60 comments:

  1. Great pattern! I love how the stitch looks on both sides. Thanks for sharing it on Ravelry!

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  3. Great pattern . . . and no, I've never seen anyone do that stitch. Thanks for sharing it - definitely a perfect chemo cap!

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  4. Wow, I'll be trying this stitch for sure...I love how it looks. Great video too, thanks for sharing!

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  5. I believe that's the "camel stitch" (which is a copyrighted name) also known as the "shallow stitch".
    Very interesting texture!

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  6. Browsing Ravelry looking for a flower pattern and found you. So glad I did. I was reading your profile and got a chuckle. My Irish twins are now 43 and 42 years old.

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  7. It's really great! I love the way it looks, the texture on both sides is so intresting and nice to see. It works pretty fast too, I made it in an afternoon, thanks for sharing the pattern!

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  8. Isn't that a BPHDC (back post half-double crochet)? It looks and sounds like it in every way. The effect is the same, too. Am I missing something?

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  9. Hm. Don't know about bphdc because this stitch doesn't use the post. Its not so much of a stitch as it is a technique. I haven't seen it around much but looking forward to it!

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  10. thanks for the demo... I've been trying to do something like this, but bphdc ends up really stiff and I don't like that on the piece I'm working on.
    this is more like a back loop hdc.

    thanks again, so much :)

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  11. Yeah, it's not a back post stitch, and it's not a back loop stitch...just completely different. It's been fun working with it and the stockinette type surface texture it creates.

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  12. Working in that back horizontal bar has no universal name other than the trademarked "camel" crochet. I've used single crochet like this in several different patterns, but it's so hard to find specific patterns because of the lack of a known name. Like you said, it could be called just about anything. Here is a pattern from 1998 worked in this manner. http://web.archive.org/web/20030606102559/http://knitlist.com/98gift/crochethat.htm

    Kim

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  13. Wow! Kim - you are one of my heroes...thanks for responding to this pattern! I checked out that link - how awesome! 12 years later and I stumbled across something almost identical. Very cool; thanks for sharing!

    You mentioned doing this technique in single crochet. I've tried but I just can't seem to get it to work in anything smaller than hdc. I thought that back horizontal bar was created by the y/o that accompanies the hdc and larger stitches? Maybe I should go try it again. Now that I know you are using it, I am going to take a closer look at some patterns. I know I cannot be the only one using it so I can't wait to do some detective work and see what else is out there! :)

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  14. Awww.... thank you. That's very sweet of you to say. :-)

    Here is my video for it:

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0LWSkTrIEU

    When I use the back horizontal bar, I call it a "short single crochet" since I found the name "short" in the UK for the same thing. It's even more difficult than finding some Tunisian crochet patterns!

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  15. HI! Thank you so much for mentioning our wonderful Charity Knots of Love! Knots of Love currently donates over 3,000 caps per month, all given away free of charge. We need more knitters and crocheters. If I have more caps, I could easily donate them. Thank for helping to spread the word! With your permission,I would love to send this pattern to our volunteers all over the country & add it to our web site. www.knotsoflove.org Please email me at christine@knotsoflove.org
    With many knots of xxxx,
    Christine

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    1. Hello hookers (No pun)
      I am interested in crocheting hats to donate for a good cause. Please let me know how it works.
      Best, Monick

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  16. Roseann - it is worked in the round, seamlessly!

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  17. Thanks bunches for explaining this and for the video! I had mastered BPDC and tried it with HDC but now I see the difference between the spine and the post. wooop wooop!! Thanks again! Julia

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  18. Going to make a toque for my hubby for Christmas with this stitch. Thanks for sharing.

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  19. ???? pattern calls for 12 hdc IN 3rd chain from hook! you mean ch3 sl st and make a loop, then put 12 hdc in the chain loop? not sure I can fit 12 hdc in one single ch st.

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    1. Did you also contact me on Ravelry? If so, I probably already answered your question, but for anyone else wanting to know...

      If you make your stitches into the 3rd chain from the hook, you will be making those stitches into the first chain next to the slip stitch. That chain will stretch out about as far as you need it to, so don't worry! Once those stitches are made, simply pull the tail of the yarn to close up the hole.

      Hope this helps!

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    2. I use a 'magic circle'to begin and then put my 12 hdc in that circle. It's easier than trying to fit your 12 hdc in a small circle. Later on you can draw the string and make the hole smaller or leave it at the beginning size. you can find directions for making a magic circle on the website Crochetspot.com.

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  20. Can i use this pattern to make an infinity scarf? If so, how?

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    1. You certainly can! Make a chain (specifically an fhdc) as long as you want your scarf to be. Make the twist and then join the ends. Make all your hdc stitches into that back bar and just keep going around and around, until it is the width you want. One side will be the "stockinette" side, and the other will be just as cool!

      Hope this helps!

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  21. Could this stitch be worked in rows, rather than in the round? I have tried to do so by reversing the stitch on the return pass (working into the front horizontal bar). However, I end up with a pattern that appears to have 2 side-by-side braids, a portion of the hdc, then 2 more side-by-side braids. Meaning, the 2 braids are separated from the next set of braids by a portion of the hdc stitch. (Sorry, I realize this isn't the best description.)

    Any advice you can give would be greatly appreciated! I'm working on a design of my own, and love the look of this stitch, but I need to work it vertically, not in the round.

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    1. I am terribly sorry about how long it takes for me to get back to people. Such a slacker when it comes to keeping up with the blog! LOL

      Anyway, it can be worked in rows, however, the reverse side will not be as neat, IMO. Also, the "stockinette" will not appear exactly the same. There will be some space in between the raised braids. Work into the back bar on one row (which will actually be facing you), turn, and then work into the back loop on the next row.

      For best results working vertically, use slip stitches. :)

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    2. Crochet Ribbing has a similar look, but is made to be worked in rows. It might be helpful in this case.

      https://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=cYlvv03hbaE

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  23. A long overdue THANK YOU for sharing this technique. I'm embarassed I never thanked you personally. I know I mentioned you or left a link to your blog on at least one of many online pages. Thanks to my facebook page I got a reminder to do so. I love this stitch. It is one of my favorites, along with the shell stitch. I am looking to enter a design using this technique into a contest. I also sell some things on etsy. Thanks again. Hearts, Mia.

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    1. I am so glad you like this pattern! Good luck in your contest!

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  24. I am making a chemo cap for my friend and found this pattern, I like that you give the camel stitch another way of doing it by using HDC. when I did look up camel stitch in the past it always showed it being done with SC. I tried it that way and it was too tight for me to 'work it' so I didn't try it again. i am encouraged and will try it again now thanks to your pattern to see if it will be easier for me to do. I want so much to have that effect and it comes with doing it only with the camel stitch. I believe you can still call it camel stitch because of the technique no matter whether it is a sc or a hdc. Because the final "LOOK' is just the same. Many thanks for encouraging me. I just never thought about using that technique with a stitch other than SC. Your video is excellent to help people understand just how to do the technique!

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  25. This hat would be perfect to do a small crosstitch pattern on because,unlike single crochet, it's a straight grid, not slanted. Soooo giving this a try! Thanks! Thie video was great too. Well done

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  26. I've been trying to find a neat trim stitch for my daughter's slouch hat that I'm working on. The whole thing is in HDC so I think this will complement it perfectly. Thank you! The video tute is great for a visual.. just a little dark. :D

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  27. I love this hat. I've made many using this pattern, but I don't like how the first round separates from the others and sits up. Has anyone had any luck sewing that first round down or to the following round? This is my all-time favorite hat. I've made a lot of fingerless gloves in this stitch, too. Thank you, Amy!

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  28. Wow, this pattern is great and I'm loving the stitch. I'm definitely putting this on my to do list. Thanks for sharing

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  29. Im making this as I type this. Well ok I had to put it down to type but you know what i mean. I plan on making enough to take over to our local cancer center and donate them.

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  30. I love this pattern! Thank you for sharing.

    But, I'm having a bit of a problem. My work keeps curling inward on itself and I'm not sure why. I've watched plenty of tutorials working in a seamless round and for some reason, nothing I'm doing it working to keep my work flat. Do you have any suggestions?

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    1. I found that the tutorial is helpful and I have tried this pattern in single crochet. I found it quite easy to do as long as I crocheted loosely but not to loose. Try using a bigger hook.

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    2. I can't find the tutorial, can you point me to it? What is the back "spine" of a stitch?

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  31. Of those who have crocheted this hat, can anyone advise on how many yards as I'm contemplating a particular yarn that has only 110yds.. I don't want to come up short and not be able to match the dye lot? It's for a man's size head, and we tend to have bigger noggins.. Although, the one pictured looks loose enough to perhaps be 22" maybe? Also, to make it more snug fitting on the end, I could probably do a slip stitch or a reverse ss or sc, Miss Amy?

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  32. Beautiful,Thank You,I just seen this exact pattern hat in THe Sundance catalog

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  33. Going to give this a try right now. Nice looking cap.

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  34. Thank you for the free pattern. I am dying to make it asap!

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  35. I am a it confused with the first step. Can you use a manic ring with the 12 hoc tonstart

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  36. I'm making this hat with Red Heart Super Saver BonBon Print and am using a size J hook as I crochet tightly. After completing Round 6, the diameter is 6" and the circumference is 18". Is this too small for an average adult? Should I add another round of increasing before going to the one-in-one HDC rounds? I'm fairly new to hat making and totally new to making one that actually fits!

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    1. I stumbled across a great resource for hat sizes at Cre8tion Crochet. I hope it's okay to share here. I found it very useful and informative, and thought others might also...
      http://www.cre8tioncrochet.com/2013/04/how-to-design-your-own-custom-crochet-hat/

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  37. Just place it on top of your head to get an idea. If it's "almost" as big as your head, you're good to go. If it's as big as your head, it's probably a bit too large. This is what I do when I'm not sure.

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  38. Isn't this Liz's pattern from Playin Hooky Designs? That's her tag on the hat.

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  39. Am I reading directions correctly? To start out chain 3 & then 12 hdc in 3rd loop from hook? Is it really start out chain 3? In your video it appears that there are more than 3 chains.

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  40. I have made so many of these for my husband over the years. When I try to make a new pattern he always asks for this one again. Thank you so much for sharing this pattern!

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  41. I really want to turn the rib and put a cuff on this hat but when I try only one edge of the rib is raised and you can see some of the inner stitch type. Any ideas?

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  42. This looks JUST LIKE the hat worn by Megan Boone (agent Elizabeth Keen) in season 2 of The Blacklist. I was looking everywhere for a pattern. Finally, I found a picture online of her wearing it online and blew it up to ask one of my Facebook groups, which found it for me. I’m leaving this comment in case anyone else was obsessed with her hat while binge-watching. LOL Thanks for the pattern!! I’m going to start on it tonight -- while watching The Blacklist.

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  43. I love this hat pattern its so easy I have been addicted with the camel stitch thankyou so much!!!

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