Cheeky Little Monkey Hat

Thank you to everyone who left such lovely messages wishing Carter a happy birthday.  He had a great day,  and the next day had a wee party with some of his cousins which he really enjoyed. There were a couple of requests for Carter’s crochet monkey hat, so here it is:

Use a chunky yarn (I used 12 ply wool which is very soft and un-prickly) and a 6mm hook, this makes a quick and warm hat which can be customized in any number of ways.  This is the third year I have made this hat for Carter – but the first time its looked like a monkey!  Ive also made the same hat for Maia, so its gender neutral.

You could make this hat in a lighter yarn, but you will need to make more rounds at the beginning- just follow the pattern outlined below  and continue until the hat is the right size.

Crochet Monkey Hat:

12 ply yarn in dark brown, lighter brown, white and a small amount of black.

6mm hook.

Round 1: Make a magic circle and chain 2, half double crochet (HDC) 7 x into the circle and pull tight, join to top of chain 2 (8).

Round 2: Chain 2 (counts as first HDC here and throughout), HDC into same stitch, 2 HDC into  every stitch around, join to top of chain 2 (16).

Round 3: Chain 2, 2HDC into next stitch. 1HDC into next stitch, 2HDC into next stitch around, join to top of chain 2 (24).

Round 4: Chain2, HDC in next stitch, 2HDC in next, *HDC in next 2 stitches, 2HD in next stitch*, repeat between * and * around, join to top of chain 2 (32).

Round 5: Chain2, HDC in next two stitches, 2HDC in next, *HDC in next 3 stitches, 2HD in next stitch*, repeat between * and * around, join to top of chain 2 (38).

Round 6: Chain2, HDC in next three stitches, 2HDC in next, *HDC in next 4 stitches, 2HD in next stitch*, repeat between * and * around, join to top of chain 2 (44).

Check the hat for size- it should be ALMOST as big as the head- no bigger.  If you need to add another round following the same pattern. Obviously if you are making a smaller hat you will need to make it a round or two smaller.

Round 7 – 16 Chain 2, and then HDC into each stitch around, joining each round as you go.  At this point you want to make the hat as long as it needs to be – remembering there will be one more row around the entire hat which will add a little (about 1cm) length. Fasten off.

Ear Flaps:

Count 6 stitches from the centre back (where you just fastened off) and join your yarn onto the hat.

1. Chain 2, HDC in next 10 stitches, chain 2 turn.

2. HDC 2 together, HDC 5, HDC 2 together, chain 2 turn.

3. HDC 2 together, HDC 4, HDC 2 together, chain 2 turn.

4. HDC 2 together, HDC 3, HDC 2 together, chain 2 turn.

5. HDC 2 together, HDC 2, HDC 2 together, chain 2 turn.

6. HDC 2 together,  HDC 2 together, fasten off.

Count 12 stitches around front of hat, join yarn and repeat for ear flap 2.

Ears (Make 2). Note, these ears are not a circle – they are basically a half circle, so you only join on the first round:

1. Make a magic circle and chain 2, 6 HDC into the circle- pull tight and join.

2. Chain 2, HDC into the same stitch, 2 HDC into next 4 stitches, DO NOT JOIN, chain 2, turn.

3. HDC into same stitch, *HDC into next stitch, 2HDC into next stitch* repeat between * and * 4 times, DO NOT JOIN, fasten off.

Leave long end to sew onto hat with.

Muzzle: In lighter brown (this is also a half circle):

1. Make a magic circle, chain 2 and 6 HDC into the circle, pull tight and join into the top of chain 2.

2. Chain 2, HDC into the same stitch, 2 HDC into next 4 stitches, DO NOT JOIN, chain 2, turn.

3. HDC into same stitch, *HDC into next stitch, 2HDC into next stitch* repeat between * and * 4 times, DO NOT JOIN, chain 2, turn.

4. HDC into same stitch, *HDC into next stitch, 2HDC into next stitch* repeat between * and * 6 times, DO NOT JOIN, fasten off leaving long end to sew onto hat.

Eyes: Using white yarn make 2:

Make a magic circle and chain 2, 9 HDC into the circle, pull tight and join to top of chain 2. Fasten off leaving a long end.

Finishing:

Sew muzzle onto front centre of hat around the curved edge only.

Join contrasting colour to center back, chain 1 and single crochet around to center of first flap. Chain 31, sc in second chain from hook and in each stitch back along chain to flap, then in each stitch around front of hat (working to catch hat and muzzle together as you sc along front) to center of next ear flap. Chain 31, sc in second chain from hook and in each stitch back along chain to flap, then in each stitch around to center back of hat, join to starting chain and fasten off.

Position and sew eyes in place, and sew a black button into center of each.

Fold ear of edge over and sew each one in place (see photo for help). Embroider nose using black yarn.

Sew in all ends and that’s it you’ve finished a very cheeky little monkey hat!!!

As always, please let me know if you find any mistakes or need a hand with any thing 🙂 Lots of love, Janette xxxx