Free Crochet Pattern: Acorn Headpiece

I'm really having fun coming up with a new headpiece each month.  This October I was drawn to fall. I was inspired while out on a morning run.  I had to avoid jogging across many acorns that had fallen off a the trees. I thought they were cute though and it would be fun to design something around that theme. 

If you are not familiar with the headpieces. They are basically hats for small dogs, cats or stuffed animals. My kids love to dress up their critters! 

My sweet Lucy doesn't enjoy wearing these so much haha,

but she will endure it long enough for me to bribe her with a treat! 

Thanks again to my awesome mom over at 

Posh Pooch Designs 

for Testing the pattern. Max is usually a great model but he's having some allergy issues so he looks a little sad but he really loves to show of his mommy's creations! Be sure to check out her blog for lots of free patterns for dogs and of course for humans too! 

Now on to the pattern! That's what you're here for right! 

Be sure to add this to your Ravelry Favorites! 

Acorn Headpiece

Sized for 2-3 inches between the ears and about 10-12 inches around the head

F- Hook: (3.75 MM) 

Yarn: I Used Hobby Lobby's - I Love This Yarn (worsted-4)

Brown and Toasted Almond

Notes:

*Chain stitch does not count in stitch count!

*The number at the end of each row is the stitch count for the row (#).

Terms and Stitches: 

*r - row or round

*ch - chain

*sc - single crochet

*sl st - slip stitch

*st - stitch
* YO - Yarn Over

Starting with Brown

R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from the hook, join with sl st to 1st sc (6) 

R2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join with sl st to 1st sc (12)

R3: Ch 1, *(2 sc, sc) repeat from * around, join with sl st to 1st sc (18)

R4: Ch 1, *(2 sc, sc 2) repeat from * around, join with sl st to 1st sc (24)

See Video Tutorial at end of post for R5-7, Please note you will turn at the end of rows 5-6) 

R5: ch 1, sc in 1st st, *pull up a loop in same st as last st made and in next 2 sts, YO and draw through all 4 loops on hook, ch 1 (NOTE: work ch 1’s loosely through out the pattern as you’ll be working into it on the next round), repeat from * around, sc in last st, TURN

R6-7: Repeat Row 5, Do not turn at the end of row 7

Switch to Toasted Almond,Fasten off Brown

R8: Ch 1, sc in the Back Loop of each st around (24)

R9: Ch 1, *(2 sc , sc 3) repeat from * around, join with sl st to 1st sc (30)

R10: Ch1, *(2 sc, sc 4) repeat from * around, join with sl st to 1st sc (36) 

R11: Ch 24, sk 6 sts, sl st in next st, sc in next 11 sts, sl st in next st, ch 24, sk 6 sts, sl st in next st, sc in remaining st to beginning ch-24, DO NOT JOIN

R12: sc in next 12 chs, ch 46, sl st in 2nd ch from the hook and next 45 chs, sl st in next 12 chs, sc in next 12 sts, sc in next 12 chs, ch 46, sl st in 2nd ch from the hook and next 45 chs, sl st in remaining sts to 1st sc, 

*Fasten off and weave in ends. 

Stem: 

R1: ch 5, sc in the 2nd ch from the hook and each ch across , ch 1, turn (4)

R2: sc dec over the next 2 sts, sc in last 2 sts, ch 1, turn (3)

R3: sc dec over the next 2 sts, sc in last st, ch 1, turn (2)

R4: sc dec over the next 2 sts, (1)

Fold stem in half vertically, whip stitch down the back to make a tube, sew stem to center of hat. 

*Fasten off and Weave in Ends. 

Video Help for R: 5-7

Be sure to check out all our other Free Headpieces
Pumpkin, Apple, Shark, & Christmas
Just Click on over to the Crochet Pattern Tab 

Free Crochet Pattern : Decorative Pumpkin Headpiece for Small Cats, Dogs or Stuffed Toys

Last week I got a fun custom order for some cat hats! Yes cat hats! Call me crazy but I like a challenge! Usually I leave the animal design to my awesome, super talented mom over at Posh Pooch Designs but this person found me first through my devil headband and cape set on Etsy and wanted something similar for her cat.  She gave me some measurements and I went from there freestyle. I made her a devil and unicorn headpiece. Aren't they so silly, but so cute! 

I'm allergic to cats so my kids shared their stuffed babies to model them for you. LOL! 

I thought this simple design would be fun to share with you since it can be used for small cats, dogs or as I will use them, for extra accessories for my kids stuffed animals! (they have way to many) 

I decided since it's just about fall that a pumpkin headpiece would be just right! 

I may design a few more seasonally but we'll see. 

I hope you enjoy the pattern! 

Decorative Pumpkin Headpiece

Sized for 2-3 inches between the ears and about 10-12 inches around the head

F - Hook 3.75

Worsted Weight Yarn of choice - Orange and Green 

Notes:

*Chain stitch does not count in stitch count!

*The number at the end of each row is the stitch count for the row (#).

Terms and Stitches: 

*R - row or round

*ch - chain

*sc - single crochet

*sl st - slip stitch

*st - stitch

R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from the hook, join with sl st to 1st sc (6) 

R2: Ch 1, 2 sc in each st around, join with sl st to 1st sc (12)

R3: Ch 1, *(2 sc, sc) repeat from * around, join with sl st to 1st sc (18)

R4: Ch 1, *(2 sc, sc 2) repeat from * around, join with sl st to 1st sc (24)

R5: Ch 1, *(2 sc, sc 3) repeat from * around, join with sl st to 1st sc (30)

R6: Ch 1, *(2 sc, sc 4) repeat from * around, join with sl st to 1st sc (36) 

Notes: 

Piece should measure approx 2 1/2 inches across.

R 7&8 will form the ear holes and ties

R7: Ch 24, sk 6 sts, sl st in next st, sc in next 11 sts, sl st in next st, ch 24, 

sk 6 sts, sl st in next st, sc in remaining st to beginning ch-24, DO NOT JOIN

R8: sc in next 12 chs, ch 46, sl st in 2nd ch from the hook and next 45 chs, sc in next 12 chs, 

sl st in next 12 sts, sc in next 12 chs, ch 46, sl st in 2nd ch from the hook and next 45 chs, 

sl st in remaining sts to 1st sc, Fasten off and weave in ends. 

Stem and Spiral Vine

R1: Ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from the hook, join with a sl st to 1st sc (6)

R2-4: Ch 1, sc in each sc around, join with a sl st to 1st sc (6)

R5: Ch 11, 2 sc in 2nd ch from the hook and each ch across, join to next sc with sl st

Fasten off but leave a long tail. Sew stem to center of hat or as desired. 

Image used with permission from Posh Pooch Designs.
She tested it for me!  Modeled by Max. 

Yarn Substitution - Kitten and Tiger Cuddle Cape Sets

I've had some fun with my Kitty Cat and Tiger Cuddle Cape patterns this week!

 I thought I'd show you some new combinations from these two fun patterns to spark up new ideas for you! 

I got a custom order for a tiger to match the Mizzou Tigers. It was a simple change of colors to Black and Gold instead of orange. 

This next one is a leopard! I bought this fun yarn and I must get more. It Fleece yarn. It's very soft and cozy! Fabulous to work with. It's hard to tell far away but up closer you can see the print. 

The yarn is by Premier yarn's, Deborah Norville Cuddle Fleece

You can purchase and see all the fun colorways here! 

I used Earthen, but I'm dying to try Spooky(looks like snow-leapord) and Cheetah! 

There is just enough to make a nb cape set with one skein but if you want a longer tail or larger size you'll definitely need two! It works up just like the regular bulky 5 I call for in the patterns so it's a great sub for some other feline ideas! 

These are some older custom orders I've made but I thought it would be good to mention too! 

Try some in fuzzy or fun fur yarns! I looove this tiger set I made. The fur has yellow, red and orange tones. Use one strand of worsted and one strand of fun fur to bulky it up for matching gauge! 

Here is an example of a tabby cat custom order. I used three strands at the same time to make this one. One was worsted, one was fun fur and one was a brushed lace weight. Gave it just the right effect of colors the customer desired. It wasn't overly heavy and very soft! 

Yarn substitutions can really give a pattern a whole new look. Don't be afraid to play and combine new ideas to the same old pattern! Enjoy!