Breezy Summer Pussyhat

SIZE: Teen/Women, 22-inch circumference (cotton for summer stretches less than acrylic for winter). Overall dimensions: 12 inches x 7 inches.

MATERIALS

Worsted cotton yarn
Crochet hook size H / 5 mm
Split ring stitch marker
Tapestry needle

ABBREVIATIONS

ch - chain
dc - double crochet
sc - single crochet
scbl - single crochet through back loop only
sl st - slip stitch

INSTRUCTIONS

BAND

ROW 1: Leaving about 8-inch tail, ch 6. Turn, sc in 2nd ch from hook and each chain across. (5 sts)

ROW 2: Ch 1, turn, scbl across. (5 sts).

ROW 3 to about 70: Repeat row 2 until piece measures 22 inches.

Customize hat size by working the number of rows needed for a comfortable fit around head, keeping total number of rows even. For teen/women size, 70 rows (35 ribs) = 22 inches.

Using tail, sew edge of last row to edge of first row (do not overlap) to create a band.

CROWN

Row 1: Working on row ends, front loops only (will show no gaps), spread 3 sc over 2 row ends (increases total st count by 1/3) around, fudging if needed to keep total number of sts even. Sl st to first st, mark st. (94 sts for band of 70 rows)

Row 2: Ch 2, mark ch, ch 1, skip next st, dc in next st, ch 1, repeat * to , join with sl st to marked ch.

Row 3 to about 12: Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 7 inches from bottom of band. Make sure to do dc over dc with ch between, or mesh will not be even. At marked st, finish round with a sl st; fasten off leaving a tail about 3x the width of the hat (36 inches).

Flatten hat with tail on one end. Line up front and back mesh evenly and use tail to sew seam along top edge. Weave in ends.

Finished hat is a flat rectangle, but corners pop up like cat ears when worn on the head. If desired, accentuate ear shape: flatten, then secure with a strand of yarn and tie in a bow. For greater stability add a wedge-shaped piece of stiff paper or thin cardboard (remove before washing).