FREE MODERN CROCHET PATTERNS USING THE CROCHET WAISTCOAT STITCH. 
#Fair Isle Friday Series {week 3}

 Who else scrolls through Instagram & sees beautiful hats with geometric patterns they want to make? Usually, these hats are knit, not crochet, & seem so complicated. Recently I tried picking up my knitting needles again. All I could hear was that voice in my head saying “Remember how this usually goes?”. How could I forget, it always ends in a tangled mess of frustration. Not this time, I didn’t even start knitting. Instead, I went back to what’s familiar.  The result was a modern crochet pattern and an easy way to become your own designer.

free ikat crochet pattern, modern crochet patterns, toddler crochet hat pattern, crochet hats for women

The past 2 weeks on the #Fair Isle Friday Series you have learned tips to make the center single crochet stitch easier & 2 ways to change yarn colors. Both of those methods will be used in today’s modern crochet pattern.

Ok, here is the fun part! Have you heard of Stitch Fiddle? You can be your own crochet pattern designer. Stitch Fiddle is a website that lets you graph your own patterns. They have options for crocheting, knitting, & cross stitch. I have used a few different platforms & this is by far the easiest to use. (I’m not an affiliate for Stitch Fiddle. I just really like them & think you will too!)

Here’s how the color chart works.

Each box is equal to 1 csc.  You will begin reading the pattern on the bottom right-hand side working your way from right to left. (Starting with the number 1 square) To start round 2 you will go back to the right side of the chart & up to row 2. The white boxes are the main color yarn & the black boxes the contrast color yarn.

To make the ikat hat you will need to download the PDF color chart for the either the toddler or adult size.
ikat color chart pattern

Materials
  • U.S. size 5.5mm and 6.50mm
  • Main Color Yarn: Worsted weight yarn (80-100yards) in color Cream(ish) (weight 3oz/167yd)
  • Contrast Color Yarn: Worsted weight yarn contrast color (40-50yards) in color Gun Metal(ish) (weight 3oz/167yd)
  • Other yarn substitutes: Red Heart Soft, Lion Brand Heartland Yarn
    Gauge 5.5mm hook 7 sts= 2″
    Special Stitches
    • Center Single Crochet (csc) also know as the crochet waistcoat stitch, is a basic single crochet stitch but is worked between the “legs” of the stitches from the previous row. This is the space between the upside down “V” formed by the previous row stitches. Other than location there is no difference, it is worked exactly the same way as a traditional sc.

    *Tip* work this stitch rather loosely or you will have a hard time working into the correct space. See this Video.

    • Change Colors: I use the 2nd method in this video to change colors
    • Center Single Crochet 2 Together: (csc2tog) worked the same as a traditional single crochet 2 together except where you insert your hook. On your 2nd round of decreasing, insert your hook in between the legs of the stitch that is facing forward. *where the arrows are pointing*

    center single crochet decrease, crochet waistcoat stitch, modern crochet patterns, crochet hat pattern

    Pattern Notes
    • pattern is worked from bottom to top
    • join at the end of each round using no cut join method Video
    • you will need to follow the included color chart. see above for more details.
    • If you need help with the abbreviations I have a crochet cheat sheet here.

You can find more toddler crochet patterns here.

Modern Ikat Crochet Pattern – Toddler

Hat Band 5.50mm hook

* use MC yarn

ch 54  sl st to 1st ch to form a loop.

round 1 ch 1, sc in each ch around. join (54sts)

round 2-4 ch 2. * 1 FPDC, 1 BPDC, repeat from * around. join (54sts)

Hat Body 6.50mm hook

round 1 ch 1, 1 sc in each st around. join (54sts)

rounds 2-21 ch 1, Follow the color chart, starting at the bottom right corner. Each box counts as 1 csc. Each round will have 54 sts. join using the “No-Cut Join Method”

Decrease

*use MC yarn

round 22 ch 1,* csc2tog, 4 csc. repeat from * around. join (45sts)

round 23 ch 1,*csc2tog, csc. repeat from * around. join (30sts) *see picture

round 24 repeat round 23 (20sts)

round 25 ch 1, *csc2tog, repeat from * around. join (10sts)

round 26 repeat round 25 (5sts)

Break yarn and weave through the top loops of remaining stitches, pull tight, and weave in ends. Make a large pom pom & secure to top of the hat.

Modern Ikat Crochet Pattern Adult

Hat Band 5.50mm hook

* use MC yarn

ch 60, without twisting your chain, sl st to 1st ch to form a loop.

round 1 ch 1, sc in each ch around. join (60sts)

rounds 2-5 ch 2, * 1 FPDC, 1 BPDC, repeat from * around. join (60sts)

Hat Body 6.50mm hook

round 1 ch 1, 1 sc in each st around. join (60sts)

rounds 2-26 ch 1, Follow the color chart, starting at the bottom right corner. Each box counts as 1 csc. The white boxes are the main color, black boxes are contrast color. Each round will have 60 sts. join using the “No-Cut Join Method”

Decrease

*use MC yarn

round 27 ch 1,* csc2tog, 4 csc. repeat from * around. join (50sts)

round 28 ch 1,*csc2tog, 3 csc. repeat from * around. join (40sts) *see picture

round 29 ch 1,*csc2tog, 2 csc. repeat from * around. join (30sts)

round 30 ch 1, *csc2tog, 1 csc. repeat from * around. join (20sts)

round 31 ch 1, *csc2tog repeat from * around. join (10sts)

round 32 repeat round 31 (5sts)

Break yarn and weave through the top loops of remaining stitches, pull tight, and weave in ends. Make a large pom pom & secure to top of the hat.

Someday, probably when my kids are in college, I may find the time to master knitting. Until then I will keep improvising. I hope when you find the inspiration you will turn to these tools & techniques to create your very own modern crochet patterns. Next week on #Fair Isle Friday Series I will have a list of my favorite Fair Isle Patterns for you.