I observed a few things during this lockdown phase. The least available items in our nearby super-market are bread and Maggi! It came as a surprise to me. I assumed dairy products will be scarce. But no, Maggi isn’t available at stores at all. Other noodles alternatives are only available to pick.

I can announce that the staple food of India has become bread and Maggi, especially, as breakfast or snack item.

Yup, this lockdown is teaching a lot. It has clearly shown that we have been misusing so many facilities around. Taking healthcare services for granted. Hopefully, self-care will increase and a majority will make proper choices.

After completing 2 knit beanies – Verdant Patch Beanie and Harbor Grey Beanie, I switched to crochet for a change. I did target the pattern for adult male because there are very few designs that look different and classy.

I did buy 2 balls of steel grey India yarn to make an adult beanie. It did turn out to be bigger than an average male head size in India. Therefore, I named this textured beanie as Seal Steel Adult Beanie.

Process:

The top-bottom approach is simple if you know Front Post Double Crochet (FPDC)¹. Other stitches used are Double Crochet stitch (DC), Slip stitch (SLST), Single Crochet stitch (SC) and Chain stitch (CH). For beginners, I suggest to go through the Caution Section (below) before attempting.

Pattern:-

BASE:-

R1: Starting with Magic Circle, CH 2 and make 12 DC; join at the beginning of the DC with SLST. Total 12 DC.

R2: CH 2, on every DC make 2 FPDC; join at the beginning of the 1st FPDC with SLST. Total 24 FPDC.

R3: CH 2, *FPDC, 2FPDC*; repeat *-* till the end; join at the beginning of the 1st FPDC with SLST. Total 36 FPDC.

R4: CH 2, *2FPDC, FPDC, FPDC*; repeat *-* till the end; join at the beginning of the 1st FPDC with SLST. Total 48 FPDC.

R5: CH 2, *FPDC, FPDC, FPDC, 2FPDC*; repeat *-* till the end; join at the beginning of the 1st FPDC with SLST. Total 60 FPDC.

You can stop here and jump to R7 directly if you are happy with the diameter of the base. Make sure the diameter is 5.5″-6.25″ for adult beanie.

R6: CH 2, *2FPDC, FPDC, FPDC, FPDC, FPDC*; repeat *-* till the end; join at the beginning of the 1st FPDC with SLST. Total 72 FPDC.

BODY:-

R7: CH 2, FPDC on every FPDC; join at the the beginning of the 1st FPDC with SLST. Total 72 FPDC.

Repeat R7 to get the desired length.

BRIM:-

Last Row: CH 1, SC on every FPDC; the beginning of the 1st FPDC with SLST. Total 72 SC.

The last row is only required if you are willing to give a defined edging. FPDC ending looks good too.

¹Front Post Double Crochet:

Yarn over twice on the crochet hook. Bring the hook under the 1st DC you get and pull up a loop. Yarn over pull through the loop. Yarn over again and pull through remaining loop on the hook.

Check out the video for better understanding.

Caution Section:-

• The initial count is important to get the desired circumference as beanies tend to expand on use.
• I try to use 12 DC for an adult beanie to give more room and reduce the tapering end.
• There is a difference in the yarn elasticity and crochet hook arrangement. Each combination might give you separate beanie size.
• Also, the tension used by each individual matters as it makes the beanie their own.
• Make sure to calculate the circumference at regular intervals to decide how many rounds are required to expand and how many rounds are for increasing the height of the beanie.
• FPDC will consume more yarn and a bigger size crochet hook to make a cozy beanie.

Product Specifications:

Defining Dimensions:-

Circumference: 23″

Height: 10″

Optional Alterations:-

• Add pom-pom matching the colour with the edging or the base colour. There are different ways to create pom-pom.
• Attach flowers, beads or a bow made of crochet, plastic, suede leather etc to give cuteness to the hat.
• Increase the height of the beanie to give a slouchy effect.
• Switch between the main colour and a contrast colour while working on the body of the beanie to make another beanie completely.

Remember: do not over accessorize it. This takes away the beauty of the pattern itself. Believe in elegant simplicity!!

In case, you are stuck at any stage or have any queries, kindly contact me.

Seal Steel Adult Beanie

Style Aisle:

• You can choose the yarn colour that matches with your favourite winter wear. Try out the Hat-Scarf combo, Beanie-Cowl combo of the same pattern.
• The steel colour goes with every popular texture of coat or jacket.
• White, cream, beige, soft grey, denim, black and brown will go with this beanie.
• Select black as the last option. It will go with the beanie colour but a lighter palette of winter wear will soothe out the vivid contrast.
• For a child, you can pick all bright shades of red, blue, green sweaters or jackets.
• Choose the wool colour based on the palette in the wardrobe. Experiment and enjoy the beautiful colours.

Materials:

1. India Yarn: Vardhman Yarn – steel gray – 2 Balls.
2. US Yarn: Knit Picks Brava – dove heather – 1 ball.
3. Crochet Hook: 5 mm
4. Needle
5. Scissors
6. Measuring Tape
7. Stitch Markers: My stitch markers are the mini safety pins we get from clothing tags.

• Note: Feel free to play around with different branded yarns. They should give the consistent flow of the pattern using a constant number crochet hook.
• Either go for the yarns with the same recommended crochet hook OR choose the yarn and change the crochet hooks along as you proceed with the pattern. This might be tricky for beginners.

Happy Crocheting!!!

APPENDIX

Care Instructions:

Quality Promise: If washed with care, then the elegant stitch guarantees perfection up to multiple washes. The wool quality might stretch upon multiple uses.

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