Heeler Hat 1: BASE Beanie
If you have been able to exist in the world for the past few years without becoming well acquainted with (or at the very least aware of) a certain animated TV dog family from Australia, wow. You’re missing out.
In my household, we are big fans of the show and I’ve had this hat in mind for a long time, but have had a hard time sitting down to make it. Partly because I dislike projects that include lots of little pieces to make and sew on and partly because I dislike making character hats. I find it hard to be satisfied if the likeness I create isn’t just right. To be honest, I have tried starting this hat a few times and at least once I managed to lose the whole project, hook, yarn, and all, for several months. But, the incoming birthdays of a few little friends who also love the show finally motivated me to get it done.
Disclaimer: What follows are the instructions to make this hat as I have made it. I have made it several times and taken notes each time. I have not, however, had testers check the pattern and I am offering it up here for free. If you have questions or comments, please don't hesitate to contact me *respectfully*. If you think you've found a mistake or omission or have a suggestion, I'm all ears!
I am not interested in making this hat for sale as a finished product as I do not own these characters. I made these hats for fun, for my kiddo to play make believe with (while also keeping ears warm!), and consider them to be fan art.
The eyes and eyebrows, ears, nose and snout, and features placement will be in separate posts to follow. Why? Because it’s easier for me to manage in smaller sections and I want to, that’s why.
If you’re someone who crochets a lot of hats, you may recognize this as a DC beanie made on a multiple of 10 (at least up until round 7). The modification I have made is to add the lighter blue section that will be between and below the eyes as part of the base beanie, rather than as an extra sewn-on piece. As I have written the pattern here, I would classify this as a kids size large or an adult size small. I haven’t adapted it to other sizes at this point, but it is possible.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Hat sizing is, always has been, and probably always will be my nemesis. Maybe it’s because I’m not really a hat-wearer myself, but I always find it hard to get it just right. You may want to add or subtract a row based on the noggin you’re making the hat for. I find that an extra row sometimes makes the hat fit for longer, so when in doubt I add an extra row. Also, a slightly-too-short hat looks weird on most people.
The base hat will be the same for the big sister or the little sister, only the colors will be different.
IMPORTANT NOTE #2: The way I have described the color changes in this pattern is by no means the absolute only way to do them. The basic design I go for is to have the top 2/3 of the hat be the darker color with the between-the-nose vertical stripe, and approximately the bottom 1/3rd the lighter color. You can follow it exactly as I have written it, but if it doesn’t look right to your eye, use your best judgement! You’re the one who has to live with it and look at it.
HOOK
I used my favorite Tulip Etimo size 5.0mm crochet hook for the hat. (I used a smaller hook to make several other pieces for this hat, so pay close attention.) Your hook of choice in 5.0 mm is probably fine too.
YARN
For the big sister:
Color A is Red Heart Super Saver in Soft Navy
Color B is the same in Light Periwinkle
For the little sister:
Color A is Red Heart Super Saver in Carrot
Color B is Red Heart Super Saver Aran
Color C, which will go only around the bottom 1/3 or so, is Red Heart With Love color called Tangerine. I only have 1 skein of this and I’m not sure it’s even made anymore, so I’m on the hunt for a similar color once I run out.
If you’re not a Red Heart yarn lover (I have mixed feelings about it myself), any worsted weight yarn in colors that look right to you should be fine.
OTHER TOOLS
You’ll also need scissors or snips and yarn needle to weave in ends and sew pieces on to the hat.
STITCHES & SKILLS REQUIRED (US terms)
Magic ring
Ch: Chain stitch
DC: Double crochet
INC: Increase (two stitches in one space)
Recommended but not required: Invisible join
PATTERN for the base beanie
Round 1: With Color A chain 2, 10 DC in a magic ring and join with a slip stitch (10 stitches)
Round 2: Chain 2, DC inc in every stitch around. Join with a slip stitch. (20 stitches)
Round 3: Chain 2, Increase every second stitch - * DC, DC inc * around. Join with a slip stitch. (30 stitches)
Round 4: Chain 2, Increase every 3rd stitch - * DC, DC, DC inc * around. Join with a slip stitch. (40 stitches)
Round 5: Chain 2, Increase every 4th stitch - * DC, DC, DC, DC inc * x4. Pull through the last loop with Color B to change color. DC, DC, DC, DC inc, DC, DC and pull through the last loop with Color A to change color back, DC, DC inc * DC, DC, DC, DC inc * x4. Join with a slip stitch. (50 stitches)
Round 6: Chain 2, Increase every 5th stitch - * DC, DC, DC, DC, DC inc * x4. Pull through the last loop of the inc with Color B to change color. DC, DC, DC, DC, DC inc, DC, DC and pull through the last loop with Color A to change color back, DC, DC, DC inc * DC, DC, DC, DC, DC inc * x5 to the end of the round. Join with a slip stitch. (60 stitches)
Round 7: Chain 2, Increase every 10th stitch - * DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC inc * x2. DC, DC, DC, DC, and pull through the last loop with Color B to change color. DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC inc, DC, DC and pull through the last loop with Color A to change color back, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC inc * DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC, DC inc * x2. Join with a slip stitch. (66 stitches)
No more increases! Hooray!
Round 8-12: Chain 2, DC around, changing to Color B where appropriate to continue the lighter colored band that will ultimately be between the eyes. For me this ends up being Color A for 26 stitches, Color B for 9 stitches, then color A for 31 stitches. (66 stitches)
Round 13-16: With Color B (big sister) or Color C (little sister), chain 2, DC around. (66 stitches)
Cut yarn and pull through. Join however you like - I prefer to do an invisible join and then knot the tail inside the hat and weave in the end.
You’re done with the base beanie! Next up: Eyes and eyebrows