Randa is a mix-up of multiple stitch combos making it a fun hat to crochet. Much like the spunky, sassy, very feisty woman she is named after, Randa has a lot of character and truly steps outside of the box in terms of design. Add a spunky pom pom on top to really make this this hat pop!
The story that made it happen
This pattern actually came together by accident. My husband asked me for a hat so I went to work designing something that would fit his head (he has an odd shaped head). Originally I started with the band then went on to the hat body. It wasn’t until later I re-worked the pattern to be top down and I will get into the benefit of working top down later.
Anywho, I whipped up this hat and gave it to him to try on and it fit perfectly! I loved everything about it. The lattice work was my attempt at making cabling, something I had not delved into yet (om-goodness I was soooo off lol). He liked the fit but looked at me with those “how do I tell you this” look and said. “Its really cool, but it seems kinda….. Fru Fru”. He’s a wonder with words sometimes.
So now I had this hat and no idea what to do with it. At that time I was not on Etsy, I didn’t have a website or even a domain name! What I did have was a Facebook account that I could post purchasable items to. So I posted it to my Facebook shop, and thought to myself (because even though I loved this hat I was REALLY unsure anyone else would), “who in their right mind would buy this thing!”? A horrible thought, I know.
5 MINUTES! It lasted 5 minutes before it was bought off Facebook! I couldn’t believe it! Even though I knew the person who bought it, I had only met her once or twice, and now we are connected through marriage and step families and whatever… I knew enough about her that there was no way in Gods great creation she would have bought it if she didn’t love it!
I was so ecstatic. Then I was blown away again when she ordered a second to be made with custom colors. I thought, “oh boy, do I remember how I made the first one?” This is why you should always write down what you do if you are making something you think you might fill orders for. Obviously I pulled it off because she got her second hat complete with pink fluffy pom pom.
When she received the hats in the mail she was thrilled, and so was I. To think that someone I barely knew liked the creativity that came out of my head. Amazing…
What you will need
Yarn: #4 Aran (5 oz/ 142 g; 232 yds/ 213 m) Yarn Bee Soft and Sleek (100% low pill acrylic) Teal Blue- 1 skein, Ivory- less than 10 yds
Hook(s): 5mm (H-8), 4mm (G-6)
Yarn needle
Scissors
Stitch Markers 2 colors, 12 markers each color
Large faux fur pompom (I got mine here )
Let’s talk fiber!
For the hat pictured at the top of this page I used Yarn Bee’s Soft and Sleek, which is not just a worsted weight yarn. Soft and Sleek takes worsted weight to the next level to give you a plump and full bodied Aran yarn. So when you are shopping your stash, or for new yarn, be sure you are selecting a similar yarn of Aran weight (or otherwise known as a heavier worsted weight) yarn.
What you will look for between labels
Is the weight the same?
Are the fibers similar, such as Acrylic, wool, alpaca, nylon, etc.?
Is the gauge similar or close enough to make it work?
Are the recommended hook sizes the same?
Another piece of information you can look for is the number of wpi (wraps per inch). This information is not always available so me be more difficult to compare.
Wraps per inch, or WPI, will tell you how your yarn will behave on your hook. When using this number or testing it yourself compare how many times you can wrap the yarn around a ruler in a given measurement. So if you have 5 inches of the yarn want to use, how many times can you wrap the yarn around a ruler that is 1 inch wide, and how does that compare to the suggested yarn? Then compare it to the suggested yarn. Whatever you choose just be sure you are using the same tools in each test to get a correct comparison.
Do you know these stitches and abbreviations?
Key Info
Randa incorporates a layover motif that is both fun, and a great way to learn about using stitch markers, chain stitches, and slip stitches. Following the instructions for placing your stitch markers can feel intimidating. If this is your first time using stitch markers to identify stitches as an attachment point, don’t over complicate it, just take one stitch marker at a time. It is all about counting between stitch markers.
Use two different colored stitch markers to make the motif work easier. Each color will represent a different chain that is worked into the fabric.
I’ll let you know a little secret; if you are off by a stitch, no one will really know. This is not to say you shouldn’t try, but if you are making this hat as a gift, or for yourself, the stitch marker placement is for visual purposes and not structural where exact stitch count is important.
Sc3lo/ Hdc3lo
Let’s begin by determining where the third loop is. This picture shows the work from the back side or “wrong side” of the beginning ring. The blue circle highlights the third loop. If you look at your work from the top you will notice a “v” where we would normally work with our hook. But if you look just below that “v” you will see this loop and that is where you will insert your hook to work the next row. So just as you would work in the front or back loop only, the 3rd loop only rounds are worked here in this 3rd loop.
To work in the 3rd loop for this pattern hold your work with the “right side” facing you. In other words, do not turn your work, rather continue working in the round.
Tilt your work toward you, locate the 3rd loop, yarn over and pull up a loop.
Hdc3lo: yarn over first, then insert hook in to 3rd loop. Yarn over again, bring up another loop (3 loops on hook).
Yarn over one more time and pull through both loops to finish the single crochet.
Hdc3lo: yarn over pull through 3 loops to finish the hdc.
Check out my tutorial for this stitch on YouTube!
Knst
The Knit Stitch is worked between the legs of single crochet stitches. The legs are the vertical lines shown here. Remember to work this stitch loosely, it is very easy for this stitch to become tight so a looser tension is important while working this stitch.
Insert your hook between the legs of the single crochet. Yarn over and pull up a loop, (2 loops on hook).
Yarn over and pull through both loops to finish the stitch.
Check out my tutorial for this stitch on YouTube!
Download Disclaimer
This pattern and its pictures are the property of Knottie Hooks. You are welcome to sell your finished items from this pattern in any manner you choose. However, do not copy, share, or redistribute the pattern itself in any way. Please provide a link if you sell your finished items online back to the original pattern source. Use #knottiehooks and tag me @knottiehooks. (If you change the name when you sell your item, please mention the pattern name in the link so other people can find the pattern.)