Sports and game are observed as same but there are few differences between them. Sport is a single-player physical activity, while a game is a team activity that relies on a number of players and their combined effort. Chess, for example, is a sport, but football is a game.

Sports has always given a priority in many countries apart from academia. Children are encouraged to involve in any kind of sports for growth and development. Among various sports, American football is something, it is not just Soccer. In fact, it is said that it is inspired by both soccer and rugby football, where participants do not kick the football but play with hands.

Process:

My sister is a mother of 2 and I wanted to gift a football theme crocheted product to my nephews. I chose football themed beanie for the toddler and a cocoon for the baby. There are hundreds of crochet football beanie patterns available online. But I preferred Sarah, Repeat Crafter Me.com. I like the RepeatCrafterMe.com – Football Earflap Hat pattern and decided to make this for the elder nephew.

Instead of Double Crochet (DC), I used Half-Double Crochet (HDC). The pattern contains 4 parts:

1. Body
2. Earflap
3. Edging
4. Final stitch

Body:-

The base colour starts forming the crown. 3 rows of white yarn to form the horizontal band. Continue 5-7 rows of base colour yarn. 3 rows of white yarn again to complete the band formation. 1-2 rows to end the desired height.

(Please note: I make slightly tight stitches. Thus my total number of counts may increase than compared to others.)

R1:(Base colour) Magic Circle, Ch 2, 8 HDC, join with Slip Stitch (ST SL) in the 1st HDC. Total: 8 HDC.

R2: Ch 2, 2HDC in every HDC, join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 16 HDC.

R3: Ch 2, HDC in same HDC, 2HDC in next HDC, HDC in next HDC; repeat –; join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 24 HDC.

R4: Ch 2, HDC in same HDC, 2HDC in next HDC, HDC in next 2 HDC; repeat –; join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 32 HDC.

R5: Ch 2, HDC in same HDC, 2HDC in next HDC, HDC in next 3 HDC; repeat –; join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 40 HDC.

R6: Ch 2, HDC in same HDC, 2HDC in next HDC, HDC in next 4 HDC; repeat –; join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 48 HDC.

R7: (with white colour) Ch 2, HDC in same HDC, 2HDC in next HDC, HDC in next 5 HDC; repeat –; join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 56 HDC.

Please check the diameter of the crown. If it ranges from 5.75″ to 6″, stop there and continue with the formation of the football design.

R8: (with white colour) Ch 2, HDC in same HDC, 2HDC in next HDC, HDC in next 6 HDC; repeat –; join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 64 HDC.

R10- R15: (Back to base colour) Ch 2, HDC in same HDC, join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 64 HDC.

R16-R17: (with white colour) Ch 2, HDC in same HDC, join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 64 HDC.

R18: (Back to base colour) Ch 2, HDC in same HDC, join with ST SL in the 1st HDC. Total: 64 HDC.

EarFlap:-

R1: Ch 1, 8 HDC in next HDC. Turn. Total: 8 HDC.

R2: Ch 1, HDC2Together(HDC2Tog), 4 HDC, (HDC2Tog). Turn. Total: 6HDC.

R3: Ch 1, HDC in every HDC. Turn. Total 6 HDC.

R4: Ch 1, HDC2Together(HDC2Tog), 2 HDC, (HDC2Tog). Turn. Total: 4HDC.

R5: Ch 1, HDC in every HDC. Turn. Total 4 HDC.

For other Earflap, skip 24 HDC, make another earflap.

To make the earflaps (i.e. 8 HDC decrease down to 4 HDC), we need to calculate the placement of the ear-flaps. 

Gap between 2 earflaps = {Total count(multiples of 8) – 16( 2 earflaps base size)}/2.

For e.g.: (64-16)/2 = 24 count gap between 2 earflaps of 8 HDC.

Edging:-

Single Crochet (SC) around to make a fine edge.

Final Stitch:-

Using White colour yarn, find the centre of the front of the hat to suture the football pattern.

The pattern for football cocoon for the baby will come in the future blogs.

Caution Section:-

• I will suggest that it is better to rework initially while setting up the crown of the head. Typically, the crown diameter for a toddler’s head should be between 5.75″-6″. As this will grow, it’ll be a comfortable fit the toddler’s head.
• For edging the last row, you can change the crochet hook to a smaller size to give a tighter set. But then it should depend on the face shape too, or best is to follow the same hook throughout.
• The strength used on each stitch defines the elasticity of the item. I use a slight tight stitch. Thus, I focus on the measurements rather than writer’s count stitches.
• The placement of the earflap should be defined by the total count of your hat rather than the writer’s defined count. Thus we need to concentrate on the calculation.
• The yarn thickness, individual’s style and pattern decide the crochet hook that we should go for. With experience, we gain that confidence.

Product Specifications:

Defining Dimensions:-

• Height of the earflap head of the hat: 6″
• Height of the Flap of the hat: 2″
• Circumference: 20″-22″

The sizes can be altered based on the count of the stitches for the rows.

Optional Alterations:-

• You can increase the base diameter to give a more slouchy feel. Also, increase the height of the beanie.
• You can add pom-pom matching the colour with the edging or the base colour. There are different ways to create pompom.
• You can attach flowers, beads, tassels or a bow made of crochet, plastic, suede leather etc to give a more feminine touch.

Remember: do not over accessorise it. This hides the beauty of the pattern itself. Believe in elegance simplicity!!

In case, you have stuck anywhere or have any queries, kindly contact me.

Toddler Football Flap Beanie

Style Aisle:

• Choose the colour matching with your winter jacket.
• Go for the contrast colour of your jacket. You might suit the colour with your cowl or gloves.
• Choose the wool colour based on the palette in your wardrobe. Experiment and enjoy the beautiful colours.

Materials:

1. Yarn: Red Heart Soft – White, Red Heart Soft – Chocolate
   • Note: you can play around with different branded yarns as far as they give the synchronous flow of the pattern using a constant crochet hook.
   • You can either go for the yarns with the same recommended crochet hook OR decide the yarn and change the crochet hooks along with the tightness on the crochet stitches as you proceed with the pattern.
   • You can change the pattern to get the continuous flow.
2. Crochet Hook: 5.5mm
3. Needles
4. Scissors
5. Measuring Tape
6. Stitch Marker: My stitch markers are the mini safety pins we get from clothing tags. 

Happy Crocheting!!!