Saturday, November 12, 2011

Fully Custom Hooded Scarf

See my written pattern with some photos using 2 strands of Caron Simply Soft and a J Hook HERE.



I am always cold. Especially when it's cold and windy. But sometimes I don't want to wear a hat because I don't want to mess up my hair. I like hoods. I do not like pointy hoods. I like big, dramatic, medieval looking hoods. I like to look good, not like a 6 year old.



This pattern is a yarn eater and works best with different sized yarns. I use the same hook throughout. You can use light weight yarn for a lighter hood or even use chunky yarn for a really warm hood. Great for stash busting or using those horrible eyelash yarns that you will never use on anything else. I like to add the eyelashes to whatever yarn I've chosen so my hood isn't full of holes (working double stranded.)

You can use any sitch you want, or change stitches. I use a base of DCs and then add some rows/rounds of bobble or popcorn sitches. I also use different yarns to change it up. The focus isn't on the stitches, it's on the shape so have fun with it.

Yarn and hook of your choice.

I will give you a measurement of the project throughout, so you can use whatever hook and yarn you want. You can also make the hood as big and deep as you want. A lot of the drape will depend on the yarn and hook used so you may have to experiment to get what you want. But the pattern is pretty easy. I also recomend blocking to help get the drape you want. Especially if using cheap, stiff yarns.

Project is started in the round and then worked in rows.

You will need a calculator and some stitch markers. I use safety pins.

Special note: I don't start my rounds with your regular chain 3. I do this instead. This technique leaves no holes and makes your circle pretty much seamless.

Note about fun fur/eyelash yarn- for rounds or rows where I use fun fur, I work SCs or DCs the wrong way. This keeps the fuzzy part to the right side of my work. You don't have to do this, it is extra work and more ends to weave it, but I prefer this way.

Step 1A: Tassel beginning: Make a tassel, using whatever yarns you will be using or add charms or beads or whatever. My tassel is 5" long. I used a DVD case to measure, using the shorter side. I only use one tie, I knot it at the top of the tassel and then wind it around where the "wrap" part is. then I knot a few times and let those ends fall into the rest of the tassel. If you are unsure of how to make a tassel, google is your friend.

Then make a magic ring and make some SCs to fit around your tassel. I use about 6 SCs. I leave the bulk of the tassel hidden so only the tails stick out.

*Important note: As you are working the tail, I pause after the second row and grab my yarn needle. I thread it with the end of the magic loop. Pull it tight to close the ring and make a few stitches into that wrap part until it is secure. I pull on the tassel to see if it's going to fall out. If it is secure, knot it a bunch of times and just leave those ends. Continue with your tail.

I worked the tail in SCs, 6 rows of black, 2 rows with fun fur, 4 rows of color, 2 rows of fun fur, and repeated, ending with the second group of fun fur. Make it as long as you want,(mine is 12") I make sure to increase up to 12 stitches in order to start the hood at 12 stitches. You don't have to use SCs for the tail, you can alternate your stitches and your yarn. You are making a tube here, so you can do it as a spiral or in the round. For this tube part, I use one strand of yarn, adding one strand of fun fur to one strand of my base color.

Step 1B: Non Tassel beginning: 12 DCs in ring. Some people make a circle with 9 stitches and that is ok if it works for your yarn and hook. Whatever number you start with, make sure that every increase and decrease round and row match that same number so you stay with the circle shape. If you will be double stranding your yarn, begin with a double strand.

Step 2: For both beginnings:
12 increases each round until circle is 12" or more. I did 11 rounds for 13". You could also make this smaller. My head, from crown to neck is only 9" so there is plenty of room to make this smaller if you want to. It's completely customizeable. Any yarn, any size. You could even make this kids' sized. Here is where I begin double stranding my yarn.

*Note: You don't have to start with a circle. You could do any shape. For a flatter and more form fitted hood, try an oval. If you can, start with a star, hexagon, or even a flower and then turn it into a circle. My new project is started with a 4 colored spiral. Pot holder patterns work great too.

Step 3: Work even for a few rows, however deep you want the back to be. This part was 3" for mine. If you have long hair and plan to keep it in your hood, I would make this part bigger.

Now, grab your calculator. We will be placing markers.

Step 4: Count your stitches around the last row, this number is "X."
X - 12 _ / 4 = # of stitches that will remain unworked. Count out this number, beginning with the last stitch of the last round. This will be the bottom of your hood and will be attached to the scarf. For example: I had 132 stitches - 12 = 120 / 4 = 30. So I put a marker in the 30th stitch from the last stitch of the last round, the last stitch will count as first stitch only for the purposes of counting right now.

X / 4 = # of stitches per side. We're taking a quarter of the stitches in order to figure out where to place your decreases. For example: My 132 / 4 = 33. This means I have 33 stitches per side. Bottom (which we counted as 30), top, left, and right. Our decreases will go on the left and right side.

I prefer to do my decreases with a stitch in between them so I don't get too many holes. We will decrease 12 stitches total, which means 6 stitches on the left and 6 on the right. In order to decrease 6 sitches, we need 12 stitches total. In order to put a DC between each decrease, we need to add another 6 stitches. Our decreases will incorporate 18 stitches. So, take your number of stitches per side (mine was 33) and subtract 18. Then divide by 2. This will tell you how many stitches to do before starting your decreases. For example: 33 - 18 = 15 / 2 = 7.5. Round down if needed. So, I will make 7 stitches before starting my decreases.

What I did for the other side was this. Since I have the 30 marked off for the bottom, I counted 3 more, then 7 more. Then 18. Mark that 18th stitch.

So, for this decrease round, I will work 7 stitches, (DC 2 Tog, DC) 6xs. Then DC to marker on the other side, (DC, DC 2 Tog) 6xs. Then you should have 10 stitches left until your bottom marker (7 + the extra 3). You will DC these bottom stitches in this round, so replace the marker when you pass it.

Step 5: Next row: Work to marker, then turn. (I had worked 90 DCs this is my new stitch count.) Now you will turn your work and work in rows.

Step 6: Work even for 3 - 4.5 inches, or more if you want your hood deeper. You can now try on the hood and figure out how many rows you want to do. I like to have my last row worked on the right side, so that's something to think about. Your last row wil be the next row. You can, of course, add a finishing round of SCs or some other decorative stitch once the whole thing is completed.

Step 7 (Last Row): Decrease 12 stitches evenly. This helps the hood to not flare out. To figure out how many stitches to do, take your current stitch count and divide by 12. For example: 90 / 12 = 7.5. Round down to 7. Now, 2 of these stitches will be for the decrease, so I will work 5 stitches and then decrease in 2. I will have a few stitches left over. this is not important. I simply DCed them.

Hood is finished. Now on to the scarf. Or, you can attach it to something else.

Scarf: One note about the scarf. I worked mine with the wrong side out. I do this because when I wear the hood, I fold the scarf under the hood. In order for the right side to be facing the correct way, you will need to work your scarf with the wrong side on the right side of the hood. I chained 50 stitches on each end of hood (the first and last stich you worked on the last row). Then I started, with wrong side facing, and made 50 DCs, picked up stitches across the side of the hood, included those stitches that we marked off as the bottom, picked up stitches on the other side and made 50 DCs on the chain I attached.

You can use whatever stitches you want to make the scarf, but this is what I did: 1 row of DC, 1 row of DCs with the fun fur, an odd number (usually 1 or 3) of rows of (DC, CH1, SK1) or ( cross stitches ) or ( DC in 2, CH1, SK1) or something else, then a row of DC with fun fur, and end off with a row of DCs.

You can now sc around the whole thing or whatever. Fringe the scarf or don't. I still haven't decided for mine. Stay warm and toasty without messing up your hair or looking like a fairie!

Please feel free to add your project to ravelry and post notes of how you created your hood. I'd love to see what you come up with.

Since this is my copyrighted pattern. I would prefer if you did not sell finished items online without my permission, contact me for permission if you'd like to sell online, especially if you are outside of the US. You can sell to your friends or at your local craft shows, but please don't sell at craft shows in the Northeastern Ohio area as that is where I sell. Also, do not post this pattern elsewhere, link to it here. You may make a copy of this pattern for yourself or for a class or group. Also, credit it as a design by Sinduction's House of Stitches. Thanks!

Let me know if I've left anything out or if you get stuck somewhere.

31 comments:

  1. Beautiful pattern!
    Cant wait to try it out :)

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  2. It works really well - it only took me three evenings to complete and it looks great. Very good tutorial, really easy to understand x

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  3. in step 2, increasing 12 each row until 12". is that in diameter, or circumfrence?

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  4. I had been looking for a pattern for a hood like this for a while and was happy when I was linked to your site. It looks great.

    I cannot get your picture of the back to load any larger.

    I cannot see why the decreases are required, I have quite a few fabric hoods of a similar shape and they are at their largest at the opening. Could you explain this to me?

    Also could you post a picture of how it looks when being worn down?

    Lady Asprin

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  5. The decreases are for shaping purposes. The first round takes the shape from a circle to an oval. The second round pulls the hood closer to the face so it doesn't flare out. Feel free to omit them if you want to.

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  6. 6xs means six times total. So do whatever is before that six times.

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  7. Love this! Thanks so much for sharing it. I linked to this page on my blog this morning: http://tinyurl.com/hoodedscarves

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  8. I LOVE the shape of this Hood. Thank you so much for sharing. I can't wait to get home tonight and get started on this. :) I'm saving this and putting that hood on everything from now on. Lol. Beautiful shape and detailing. So dramatic. :)

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  9. This might be a dumb question, but where did the 12 come from in the first formula of (x-12)/4?

    And why have you chose specifically to decrease by 12 further on? (or is that where the 12 comes from?)?? It's starting to feel like a giant math problem ;)

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  10. It is 12 because that is the stitch count of our first circle for the hood part (after the tail). To keep the circle shape and stitch count on track, we increase 12 stitches and decrease 12 stitches. Does that make sense?

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  11. Looks beautiful and you're right, definitely not child like hood. thank you for posting.

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  12. How many skeins all together do you use for example is the base is aran - what weight are they? I haven't got a stash to get through as i'm coming back to a long lost hobbie!

    thanks so much for sharing this, it's given me the bug to get to it again :)

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    1. The amount of skeins will depend on so many factors. Your hook size is probably the most important, how long you make the scarf part, if you make a tassel, and if you fringe the scarf. I've used as few as 2.5 skeins of Caron Simply Soft (double stranded) with a J hook and as much as 5 of a Michael's store brand yarn and a K hook. It's really even hard for me to tell since I use so many different yarns and just kind of wing it. I would definitely make sure you have access to more of the same yarn if you plan to use a specific yarn. I wouldn't go nuts and buy a ton but I'd be sure the store had ample supply so you could go back for more if needed. I know that probably doesn't help though.

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  13. Thanks for getting back to me so quickly. I had a feeling it would be a little bit of an organic thing. I've invested in a couple of different types of wool now so will see how I go with what i've bought :) I like the idea of incorporating more "funky" yarn so have a bit of that to add too.
    Seriously seeing this pattern has got me very excited and inspired to make one ready for festivals this year.
    Can't wait to get cracking. Come on Mr. Postman!

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  14. For once I'd actally like someone to make one for me for a change I love the pics..not ur very day look.

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  15. I love the hood and am making one for a friend. In the intro piece you say you work your eyelash yarn the wrong way. What exactly do you mean by that? Because I don't turn my work at all so there is no wrong side.
    But If I have to turn how do I join the beginning and end from a row together without a ss/with the alternative turning chain?

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  16. For rounds where I use eyelash yarn I actually turn my work for those rounds. So I would turn it so I am working the wrong side on the same side as the right side. I only do this because the eyelash yarn sticks out on the wrong side. You would close your round the exact same way you normally would and then just turn your work back to the right side for the other rounds without the eyelash yarn. Does that help?

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  17. I love this! I grew up with Fleetwood Mac and love Stevie s look. I have very long hair ....so can we say PERFECT MATCH!! I did mine in off white since my hair is blonde. :) I finished on Christmas eve so merry Christmas to me!

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  18. I really love your hooded scarf. This is my first crochet project -- yes, I know I'm nuts. I decided to learn to crochet at nearly 70, in order to have something to do in all my new 'spare' time. I actually have the hood part done, and it went pretty well. I love how it drapes. However, your instructions are written for someone who actually knows what they are doing, and that description definitely doesn't fit me! I don't understand how to do the scarf. You talk about picking up stitches and going around the back of the hood and all kinds of things. Could you point me to a tutorial that would explain how to do those kinds of things. Also, seeing a picture (close up) of how yours looks in that area might help. I'd really appreciate it. I'd hate to have to give up on this, but I have absolutely no clue about what to do next. I did put the Chain 60's at the ends of the front section of the hood -- and started up one side with the DC's -- and then I got back to the front of the hood and have no clue what to do next .. Thanks.

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    1. Congrats on starting up a new hobby!

      If you look at the very last picture here:
      http://sinductioncrochet.blogspot.com/2012/01/hooded-scarf-fully-written-pattern.html

      The red stitches are the sides of the hood, from where you turned to work your rows. This part will be by where the sides of your face would be. The yellow are for the last round that you worked before you started turning. This part will be where the back of your neck would be. The actual number of how many stitches you work over these does not have to be an exact number. Just make sure the fabric isn't rippling up and it should be fine. You are just working across the bottom of the hood. You are using the hood as the foundation for your scarf, instead of making two pieces and sewing them together.

      That is the best I can do for now. I do not have more pictures at this time as my season for selling hoods has ended and they have all been mailed out. I am unsure of another pattern that does this same thing that would have a more elaborate tutorial.

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  19. The link in step 1A about tassels is dead.

    I love making hoods I can't wait to make one of these!

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  20. Tassel link has been removed. From here on out, we'll have to Google it. :D

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  21. Absolutely beautiful. Wish I could understand the directions so that I could make it myself.

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  22. Thank you for sharing your pattern for free. I am sitting here making it now x

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  23. Lots of fun and very easy to understand. Mine is a work of art, can't believe I did it!

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  24. I would really like to try this hood as it's exactly what I've been looking for but I'm something of a beginner in crochet and I'm worried I just won't understand your pattern. I have read it through a couple of times and I honestly struggled. Am I out of my depth here? I have some super chunky chenille yarn I would love to use for this pattern.

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  25. I never did manage to follow it, but I followed enough and winged it where I couldn't figure it out and ended up with a hood I liked. It is larger than I pictured, but I still like it.

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    1. Thats good to know - I thought it was just me struggling with instructions but then I am a fairly new crocheter. It looks so lovely I really want to give it a go but I am one of those people who really need step by step clear instructions.

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