Whether you're trying to save money on accessories or want to give a special gift to a friend, embroidery hats from scratch can be a great hobby to get into. If you're new to the art of embroidery, it can be daunting to make a whole hat. However, with a simple guide and a little time, you'll have a new hat for yourself or to show off to a friend.
Step
Part 1 of 3: Getting Started
Step 1. Determine the size of the hat you will embroider
Before you start embroidering a hat, you need to determine how big or small the hat is. There are two options: you can use the general instructions (listed below), or you can use head measurements to get a more specific size. Both will work, but you probably won't be able to get the right size for a hat intended as a gift. The circumference (from the forehead to the back of the head) and the height (from the ears to the top of the head) of the hat must be measured, but here are the average sizes:
- Babies born prematurely: circumference = 30.5 cm, height = 10.8 cm
- Newborn: circumference = 35.6 cm, height = 12.7 cm
- Infant (6-months +): circumference = 40.6 cm, height = 15.2 cm
- Children and adolescents: circumference = 50.8 cm, height = 18.3 cm
- Adult: circumference = 55, 9 cm, height = 21,6 cm
- Large adult: circumference = 61 cm, height = 23.5 cm
Step 2. Select the yarn
To make a simple beanie, you can use any type of yarn. However, it is usually easier for beginners to choose an embroidery style that has a high level of elasticity, is not too light, and not too thick. Choose a four-layer knitting yarn made of acrylic or wool. Color isn't an issue, but it's more difficult to see and count stitches if you're using a darker color, so you might want to consider a lighter color.
Step 3. Take the hakpen/hakken (needle)
The size of the hook depends on the size of the thread. For four-layer knitting yarn (recommended), you will need to use size H/8 which is made of aluminum. This sized hook is a great choice for beginners, because it can be used with a variety of thread sizes and is also comfortable to hold. Next, make sure you hold the hook properly. There are two common types of handles:
- Knife grip (hold the hook like you would a knife to cut something).
- Pencil grip (hold the pen as if you want to write something with a pencil). This grip may be associated with a high rate of carpal tunnel syndrome.
Part 2 of 3: Making a Hat
Step 1. Tie a live knot
The knot is the start for the embroidery pattern – the knot that holds the thread to the needle as you work. To tie a knot:
- Hang the thread with the tail end in the palm of your hand, looping it around the top of your index finger and under your middle finger.
- Wind the thread back over the top of the index finger, behind the first loop.
- Pull the loop from the center of the yarn, and tuck it through the middle of the large loop you've made around your finger.
- Place the new little loop on the hook, and pull the tail of the thread to tighten it.
Step 2. Create a basic circuit
The basic sequence is simply the first row of chain stitches you make. Since you're embroidering the hat, the basic sequence won't be very long – just five stitches to start with.
To embroider the first stitch, grasp the tail end of the live knot and tuck the hook forward, leaving plenty of room at the end. Wrap the thread around the end of the hook once, and then pull the hook back through the initial live knot. You've successfully completed the first stitch! Repeat this process five times to create the basic circuit
Step 3. Make a stitch to connect the ends of the thread to the base circuit
Insert the tip of the hook through the middle of the first stitch and make a single stitch (as usual).
Step 4. Mark the starting point
When embroidering, you need to count the stitches made. To calculate it, you need to know where the first line starts. There are two general ways to mark a starting point; Tie a thread around the first stitch in the second row, or insert a hair clip over the stitch. When you return to this section in each row, you have completed the entire row of stitches.
Part 3 of 3: Forming a Hat from a Basic Set
Step 1. Embroider in a circle
This is an expression that means to embroider a small circle – the base for the hat (the section above). To embroider in a circle, you'll need to complete the base row, then crochet it back in the loop. Hook the end of the hook through the center of the first stitch, and do the basting stitch (as usual). As you drag the pen, you'll start working on the second row, which is near the first, in a spiral.
While making the hat, be sure to embroider in a spiral. Do not change the direction of the embroidery at any point
Step 2. Embroider the second row using double stitch
From now on, you'll need to use double stitch for the hat you're making. The double stitch will connect the new stitches in a spiral in the middle, so you won't end up creating loose rows.
- To do a double crochet, start with a hook with a single loop on top.
- Insert the hook through the loop and into the circuit under/nearby it (connected to the spiral).
- Finish by making a regular stitch; Wrap the thread around the hook, pulling the thread through the two loops on the hook. You will always have a single loop on the hook after completing the double crochet.
Step 3. Change the pattern
Once you've made the basic loop, you'll be changing the stitch pattern a bit. For each row of stitches, you'll start with a double crochet, doing a basting stitch, a double crochet, a basting stitch, and so on until you complete the row.
Step 4. Count your number of stitches
The first few rows are easy, but once you move on you need to start counting stitches. Double stitch counts as 2 stitches, and bast stitch counts 1. For example, if you're working on a row of five stitches, then the count is 1 double crochet, 1 basting stitch, one double crochet - done. Here's how you calculate:
- First row: 5 stitches
- Second row: 10 stitches
- Third row: 30 stitches
- Fourth row: 45 stitches
- Fifth row: 60 stitches
- Sixth row: 75 stitches
- Seventh row: 90 stitches
Step 5. Finish making the hat
To finish making the hat, work on the additional rows containing the basting stitch. In this way, the length of the hat will increase instead of continuing to widen the hat. Start working on the first rows of basting stitches when you've reached your previous intended circumference. To finish the hat, tie a live knot and hide the tail end of the thread by weaving it back into the hat with a hook.
