Free Crochet Pattern~ Itty Bitty Bow Beanie

I really never expected to be away from blogging for so long.  After my baby girl was born, I knew it would be a while before I got back into blogging but really did not see it taking over a year and a half to get a couple of posts in.

I feel like I'm almost ready to start doing some fun things around my house again and even have the energy to share some of those things with you.  Before I get to those, I'd like to share with you a crochet pattern I wrote MYSELF.  Emphasis on myself because I have been crocheting my short fingers away the past 2+ years and have both loved and hated many patterns.  I realize that I am not always the greatest pattern reader and therefore assume I won't be the greatest pattern writer.

Anyway, here is my first pattern~ Itty Bitty Bow Beanie.  I made this for my little girl, who is petite for her age, thus the small size.  I found a picture tutorial for crocheting a bow but the added notes were in French.  Being too lazy to translate, I just decided what I thought should be going on and it worked for me.  If you have trouble with this pattern, let me remind you it is FREE!  And, you can ask questions.  If you are completely lost but love the hat, just buy one from my Etsy shop, An Extra Blessing!  This would make a wonderful Christmas gift for a special baby girl.

Itty Bitty Bow Beanie

3 Month Size {Should fit 0~6 month range}*

H Hook

Caron Simply Soft Yarns {or similar yarn}
All terms are US.

R1:  In magic ring, ch 1; 12 sc in ring {12 st}

R2:  Join with sl st to top of first sc {not ch}; ch 1; *sc and dc in ea st* around {24 st}

R3:  Join with sl st to top of first sc; ch 2; *dc in first st, sc in next st* around {24 st}

**R4: Join with sl st to top of first dc; ch 1; *sc in first dc; 2 dc in next sc* around {36 st}

R5:  Join with sl st to top of first sc; ch 2; *2 dc in first sc; 1 sc in ea next dc* repeat pattern around {48 st}

R6:  Join with sl st to top of first dc; ch 1; *sc and 2 dc in first st; skip two st; repeat pattern around, joining with a slip st to top of the first sc {48 st}

R7:  Join with sl st to top of first sc; ch 1; *sc and 2 dc in first st; skip two st; repeat pattern around, joining with a slip st to top of the first sc {48 st}
R8~12: Repeat round 7.
R13: Repeat round 6 up to the last 2 dc. HDC in last 2 dc then sl st to first sc in previous round.

R14:  With second color, ch 1 and sc in ea st around; join to ch 1 with sl st.

R15:  Ch 1, sc in ea st around.  Fasten off and weave in ends.

For Bow~

In magic ring, ch 4; 3 trc; ch 4; sc in ring; ch 4; 3 trc; ch 4; sl st in ring.

Ch 8; hdc in 2 ch from hook; hdc in next 3 st; sc in remaining; sl st in ring; repeat.

Pull magic ring closed; turn bow to wrong side; use beginning tail to wrap bow; cut leaving a long tail.

Tie the two tails of yarn into a knot on back side (right side) of bow; trim shorter tail.  Use long tail to sew bow onto hat brim.

*Note about Size ~
Quite sorry I've not been keeping up the blog and getting more specific instructions for increasing the size.  Here is a link to the Ravelry project page for this hat.  There are some who have increased the size simply by using a larger hook or by doing one more row of increase {which I know is more difficult mathematically}.  Have a look and I hope to one day get a larger pattern written up!

Ravelry Itty Bitty Project Page

**Update~ 
For those having trouble at rows 4 and/or 5, here is an explanation that some found helpful.  For more helpful tips, read through some of the comments below those post, too.
"With row 4 you are getting the 36 count right? Once row 4 is completed, you should have a pattern of 1 sc, 2 dc repeating. So, when you work row 5 you are working *2 dc into sc, 1 sc in dc, 1 sc in dc* for a 4 stitch pattern.

Maybe check and see if you were doing what Brooke said she was doing. In row 5 instead of the *2 dc, 1 sc, 1 sc* she was working 2 dc, 1 sc, 2 dc, 1 sc, . . . so she was getting more increase. "

As I said, this is my first written pattern for others.  I write my work for myself and know how many stitches I should use for a certain hat size.  So here goes my first gauge explanation as well.

Gauge ~ 24 st x 10 rows = 6" x 4"
To work gauge, using H Hook

Ch 26; sc in 3^rd ch from hook and in ea remaining st across{24 st}.

R1: Ch 1, turn; *{sc,2dc} in first st, skip 2 st* repeat to end; sc in last st.

R2: Ch 1, turn; *{sc, 2dc} in sc, skip 2 dc* repeat to end; skip last 2 dc and sc in last sc.

Repeat row 2 nine more times.

Ch 1, turn, sc in ea st across to complete swatch.

6" {24 st} x 4" {10 rows of shell + 2 rows sc}