Sock Monkey Baby Beanie

Materials: worsted weight yarn. in gray ragg, white, red, and black. G or H hook. Red pom-pom.
Notes: for toddler size, use J hook and increase to 40 stitches for beanie. For adult size, use K hook and increase to 13 rows & 54 stitches for beanie, 15 red stitches for mouth, and use hdc stitches for eyes. This pattern will fit newborn to 3 months, depending on tension. Adjust hook size & total stitches for larger beanie. Average hat circumference/height: newborn = 12-13”/6”; toddler = 17-19”/8”; adult = 20-23”/11”

BEANIE
White yarn:
Round 1: ch 4, join with sl st into first ch to form ring. ch2, 12 dc into ring. Join with sl st to top of ch 2 (do this with every round) (12) Round 2: ch 2, 2 dc in each dc, dc in last st (with original ch 2). join. (25) Round 3: ch 2, *2 dc in next st, dc in next st*, dc in last st (with original ch 2). (39) Round 4: ch 2, 1 dc in each st, dc in last st (with original ch 2). (39)
Red Yarn:
Rounds 5 & 6: ch 1, 1 sc in each st around. (2 rows of red in sc)
Gray rag: Rounds 7-12: ch 2, 1 dc all the way around. (6 rows of gray ragg in dc)
Cut all yarn. Weave in ends (no knots!)

MOUTH
Red Yarn:
Round 1: ch 11, sc in second ch from hook, and in each stitch across. 2 sc in last st. Working on the other side of initial chain, sc into sts, 2 sc in last st.
White Yarn:
Rounds 2 & 3: sc all the way around, 2 sc in each corner. Cut yarn. Leave a long 18 inch tail to sew to hat. (If using fiberfill under the mouth (for a 3D effect), then do another round of white stitches.)
Black Yarn:
In the center area above the red, in the white, create 2 small dashes with black yarn, for nostrils.

EARS (make 2)
Gray Ragg Yarn:
Round 1: ch 2, 6 sc in second ch from hook. do not join. Round 2: 2 sc in each of the 6 previous sc. (12)
Round 3: *2 sc in next st, sc in next 2 sts* (18) Round 4: 18 sc around. (do 2 rounds for larger ears, if desired)
Cut yarn. Leave a long 12 inch tail to sew to hat.

EYES (make 2)
Black Yarn:
Ch 2. 6 sc in first ch, sl st into first sc. Cut yarn. OR ch 4, join with sl st into first ch to form ring (or use magic ring). Ch 1, 6 sc into ring. Join with sl st to top of ch 2
Cut yarn. Leave a 10 inch tail to sew to hat.

Assemble:

Fold in half and attach ears to sides of hat. Sew mouth and eyes on appropriate areas of the hat. Weave in all ends (no knots!). Add red pom-pom on top of hat.

Optional Ear Flaps and Braids:
EAR FLAPS (make 2)
Gray Ragg:
Count 8 stitches to each side of middle of front of hat.
Row 1: insert yarn, ch 2, 10 dc, ch 2, turn Row 2: dc2tog, dc in next 6 st, dc2tog, ch 2, turn Row 3: dc2tog, dc in next 4 st, dc2 tog ch 2, turn Row 4: dc2tog, dc in next 2 st, dc2tog, ch 2, turn Row 5: dc2tog twice.
Cut yarn. Weave in ends
Do the same for the other side of the hat, counting equidistant to the first ear flap position.
EDGING
Gray Ragg:
Sc around bottom edge and ear flaps of hat, doing 2 sc in each corner of ear flaps.
BRAIDS (make 2)
Cut 4 strands of each of 3 colors, 4 or 5 feet in length. Working through the bottom of the earflaps, pull each group of 4 strands through until folded in half. Tie all colors together, forming the knot directly under the earflap (at the top of the braid). Separate colors and snugly braid. When desired length is reached, tie yarn again in a knot at the bottom of the braid. extra yarn off bottom to make ends even. Repeat on the other side.

© Copyright 2011, Donna Bishop. All Rights Reserved. 

Ducky Bib

Simple to crochet ducky bib.  Makes a nice gift.

Pattern is found at www.lionbrand.com, under free patterns, Duckie Bib, pattern # 90156AD.

I used an H hook, and worsted cotton yarn.  I worked the pattern as directed, through the first half of row 24,  except the ties and the beak. 

For the ties, with yellow yarn, I worked 50 chains out from the front left edge, after completing dirctions rhru first half of row 24, and slip-stitched back to main bib, then sc across the 3 sides of bib, worked another 50 chains out from the front right edge, again, slip-stitching back to main bib, then sc across the top of the bib, ending where row 24 finished. Cut & weave in ends.  

For the beak, with orange yarn, ch 10, sc in first ch from hook, hdc in next 2 chains, dc in next 3 chains, hdc in next 2 chains, and sc in last chain.  Work sc in each stitch around the other side, ending with slip-stitch, leaving a long tail of yarn to allow for sewing the beak on the bib.

For a final touch, I put a single white stitch in each eyeball, to replicate eye reflections.

This bib makes a great gift for a newborn.  You can also create the bib in various colors to represent other animals and create faces accordingly.  Let your creativity flow!