Materials
Size 6mm (J in US) or 6.5mm (K in US) crochet hook
Approx. 100 gms 100% wool yarn 8 ply and 100gms 12ply mohair (not acrylic) or 200gms of woollen yarn only.
Make sure wool yarn is 100% wool and not machine washable or Wool Wash; as it will not shrink.
Abbreviations Dc= double crochet (note in the US this is single crochet)
Note: You do not create a new "row". Just work around in a circle and look for the last time you increased in the previous row to signify the start of the next. You do not have to be exact - after all you are going to do horrible things to it in the washing machine & you will not be able to see individual stitches.
Pattern
Row 1. 4 chain and join with slip stich
Row 2. 8 dc into centre of the circle
Row 3. Crochet 2 dc into each dc of previous row
Row 4. Crochet 1 dc into each dc of previous row
Repeat rows 3 & 4 once more.
Row 7. (1dc, 2dc into next stich) - repeat till end of row (ie. Increasing in every second stitch)
Row 8. Crochet 1 dc into each dc of previous row
Row 9. Increase in every 5th stitch - ie 1dc 4 times then 2dc in next stich.
Row 10. Crochet 1 dc into each dc of previous row
Measure across width of circle. Should be approx. 16cm wide, give or take a bit. This is dependent on the type of yarn you are using and your tension. If not 16cm increase by a few more stitches in next row. Does not have to be exactly even.
Once width is reached, continue with plain dc until you have a cap that is about 1-2cm below your ear lobe.
Creating Brim
Row 1. Increase in every 5th stitch - ie. 1dc 4 times then 2dc into next stich.
Row 2. Crochet 1 dc into each dc
Repeat row 1
Repeat row 2 twice.
.
To finish *1dc, skip one, 1dc into next two sts, skip one. Rept from * until end and fasten off.
Crochet this last row tightly as it pulls in the brim.
Fulling
Place in washing machine and add hot water with a bit of soap. Place on wash cycle until it shrinks to desired size. Save water by not letting it empty!
