THE TRAILBLAZER BEANIE

Time flies! March already?! Well, I couldn’t complain! I’m actually excited for Spring! How about you?

Anyways, before we go further discussing about Springtime, let’s just talk about this new beanie I created by chance. I was kind of bored with my current big project so I took a break, set it aside and just browsed the net to get some inspiration like I always do. I stumbled on this beautiful stitch pattern. I truly love it so I gave it a try. After trying it, I decided to make a beanie and in a few hours of trial and error stages, I finally finished the beanie and the pattern. Yay!!!

Okay, enough talking! Let me introduce you to THE TRAILBLAZER BEANIE pattern! This pattern has a knit-look texture which captured my interest. It is fun and works up easily!

I made The Trailblazer Beanie sample using the Lion Brand Pound of Love which was a leftover from another project. It is a worsted weight (#4) yarn. I also used my Furls Crochet Hook (J | 6 mm) which I won from a giveaway! Honestly, I still love my go-to Clover Amour Crochet Hook (just saying!) I work faster with my Clover Amour than with Furls Crochet hook.

THE TRAILBLAZER BEANIE

This pattern is FREE here but you can also purchase the inexpensive PDF file on my Ravelry shop for easy printing and reading.  Purchasing the PDF file helps to support my blog and allows me to continue to share my patterns with you.

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate

MATERIALS

• Worsted Weight (#4) Yarn |Lion Brand Pound of Love | Approximately 200 yards
• Crochet Hook Size J | 6 mm (or size to obtain gauge)
• Scissors
• Tape Measure
• Tapestry Needle
• 3 Stitch Markers
• Pompom of your choice

GAUGE: 14 (Hslst – BLO) sts x 14 rows = 4 x 4 inches

FINISHED MEASUREMENT: Teen/Adult – 8.5” (height) x 20” (circumference)

STITCHES AND ABBREVIATIONS | US Terminology

• Ch(s) – Chain(s)
• BLO – Back Loop Only
• Rep – Repeat
• PM – Place Marker
• SC – Single Crochet
• SC2tog – Single Crochet 2 Together
• Sl St(s) – Slip Stitch(es)
• RS – Right Side
• WS – Wrong Side

SPECIAL STITCHES

• Hslst – Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch – Yarn over, insert your hook into the next st, yarn over and pull through the stitch and through the 2 loops on your hook.
• LDC – Long Double Crochet (2 Ridge-Rows Below) – work a Double Crochet stitch (as you normally would) by inserting your hook from bottom to top under the front two loops of the Hslst stitch directly 2 ridge-rows below.

NOTES

1. Read the pattern carefully before starting.
2. sideways and then seamed together at the end.
3. The beginning ch 1 does NOT count as a stitch.
4. Asterisk * indicates pattern repeats. You will need to repeat all the instructions between asterisks.
5. I recommend using stitch markers to mark the beginning/end of the body and brim of the beanie. Remember to move stitch markers as work progresses, except the marker in the 1^st st of Row 1.
6. If you’re not familiar with the Half Double Crochet Slip Stitch (Hslst) in the BLO, watch this YouTube video by Daisy Farm Crafts.
7. If you are not sure how many rows you have completed, use the brim to count. Each ribbing-ridge counts as two rows.

PATTERN INSTRUCTIONS

Start by chaining 32.

Row 1 (WS): Hslst in the back bump of the 2^nd ch from the hook, PM, and Hslst in the back bump of every ch across until 5 chs remain, PM in the last Hslst just made, slst in the last 5 chs. Turn.  (31 sts)

Note: Leave the stitch marker in the 1^st st.

Row 2 (RS): Ch 1, SC – BLO in the 1^st 5 sts, Hslst – BLO in every st across. Turn.  (31 sts)

Row 3 (WS): Ch 1, Hslst – BLO in every st across until 5 sts remain, slst – BLO in the last 5 sts. Turn.  (31 sts)

Row 4 (RS): Ch 1, SC – BLO in the 1^st 5 sts, *Hslst – BLO in the next 5 sts, LDC in the next st*; Rep from * to * until 2 sts remain, Hslst – BLO in the last 2 sts.  (31 sts)

Row 5 (WS): Rep Row 3.

Row 6 (RS): Rep Row 2.

Row 7 (WS): Rep Row 3.

Row 8 (RS): Ch 1, SC – BLO in the 1^st 5 sts, Hslst – BLO in the next 2 sts, *LDC in the next st, Hslst – BLO in the next 5 sts*; Rep from * to * across. Turn.  (31 sts)

Row 9 (WS): Rep Row 3.

Rows 10 – 72: Rep Rows 2 to 9 for 8 more times, ending with Row 8.

Note: If you’re not sure how many rows you’ve done, use the brim to count. Each brim-ridge counts 2 rows.

Once you finished the last row, PM in the last st and do not cut yarn. We will be working on the top (crown) of the beanie.

Note: Photos are for demonstration purposes only.

With RS facing you, ch 1, SC2tog along the edge of the beanie. Cut yarn leaving a long tail (approximately 24”) and with your tapestry needle, thread through the sts to close the top (crown) of your beanie. Thread through around the sts for the second time. Pull tight to cinch closed (refer to the photos below). Do not cut yarn.

Now, bring the 1st and last rows together and seam to close using mattress stitch (refer to the photos below). The markers are placed to guide you as you seam from the top of your beanie down to the brim.

Fasten off and weave in all ends.

Add a pompom of your choice, and it’s done!

To download the PDF copy of THE TRAILBLAZER BEANIE and my other patterns, please visit my Ravelry shop.

Huge thank you to my testers for helping me with this pattern. Here are their amazing versions.

Now, I’d love to see yours! Please tag me @stringsandcuddles on Instagram so I can see and share your finished beanies!

As always, stay safe and happy crocheting!

XOXO,

Elisa

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All images and patterns are the copyrighted property of STRINGS AND CUDDLES. You may sell any items that you make from this pattern. You may NOT use my images.  Please DO NOT copy, redistribute or claim as your own. If selling items from this pattern, please give credit to STRINGS AND CUDDLES by linking to my shops or on social media @stringsandcuddles.

I would love to see what you create! Please use these hashtags to share: #stringsandcuddles, #stringsandcuddlesdesigns, #thetrailblazerbeanie

Please don’t hesitate to reach out for questions regarding this pattern.

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