Crochet Dinosaur Hat/Photo Prop

NOTE: My patterns are free and I would like them to stay that way. You are free to print them out and pass them around but please make sure my blog address is somewhere on the pattern (http://knotyournanascrochet.blogspot.co.nz/) so that people know where the pattern originated. 

Please do not sell my patterns or say they are your own. You are free to do whatever you want with the finished item. If you are selling them online please link back the pattern and give me credit. I took the time to write this pattern out so the least you can do is take the small amount of time it takes to give me credit. 

Difficulty:
Beginner (Intermediate for size increase/decreases)

Materials:
 4.5mm, 5mm crochet hooks
DK yarn. I used Crucci Olympus
Yarn Needle
Tape Measure
Scissors

Gauge:
15st = 4 inches in the round (not increase rounds),
The diameter of beginning circle (rounds 1-5) = 4.8 inches

Size: Pattern has been written for 3 Months but instructions are included to increase size.

To increase/decrease the size of the hat I have given a size chart which you can use for the hat or you can use your own measurements. Chart can be found here, http://knotyournanascrochet.blogspot.co.nz/2012/03/modified-pineapple-stitch-hat.html

For a 3 month size I made the circumference of my increase circle 15 inches (diameter 4.8 inches) A great calculator for this is here http://math.about.com/library/blcirclecalculator.htm. I made the length of the hat 5.5 - 6 inches and the length from the bottom of the hat to the bottom of the tail 12 inches.

So for a newborn I would increase to a circumference of 12 inches or 3.8 inches in diameter. I would make the length of the hat 5 inches and the length from the bottom of hat to the tail 10 inches.

For 6 months I would increase to a circumference of 17 inches or 5.4 inches in diameter. Length of hat would be 6.5 inches and the measurement from bottom of hat to tail 14 inches.

For the starting width of the tail I started with just under half of the st for the hat so for example for the 3 month hat I started with 22 st and gradually decreased to 8 st's over the 12 inches of the tail. You will have to use your initiative when it comes to the other sizes.

I hope this makes sense, if not feel free to leave a comment or email me directly at kuddlynkute@gmail.com and I will try and answer any questions you have. All I ask is that you remember I am providing this pattern for free so I have not put a lot of time into making sure it is correct for each size.

Pattern:

Hat
Round 1: Starting with the magic circle, ch2, 9 hdc around. Join with a sl st in top of ch 2. (10hdc)
Round 2: Ch 2, hdc in same st as ch2, 2 hdc in each st around. Join with a sl st in top of ch 2. (20)
Round 3: Ch 2, hdc in same st as ch2, hdc in next st. * 2 hdc in next st, 1 hdc in next st* Repeat between * until end. Join with a sl st in top of ch 2. (30)
Round 4: Ch 2, hdc in same st as ch 2, hdc in next 2 st's. * 2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 2 st's* Repeat between * until end. Join with a sl st in top of ch 2. (40)
Round 5: Ch 2, hdc in same st as ch 2, hdc in next 3 st's. *2 hdc in next st, hdc in next 3 st's* Repeat between * until end. Join with a sl st in top of ch 2 (50)
Round 6- 13: hdc in each st (50) Finish off

Tail

I like to hide my seam behind the spikes so join your yarn again 11 stitches before you finished off.

Row 1: Ch 2, hdc in next 21 st's (22 st)
Row 2-3: Ch 2 turn, hdc across (22 st)
Row 4: Ch 2 turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 16 st's, hdc2tog, hdc in last st (20)
Row 5-8: Ch 2 turn, hdc across (20)
Row 9: Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 14, hdc2tog, hdc in last st. (18)
Row 10- 12: Ch2, turn, hdc across (18)
Row 13: Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 12, hdc2tog, hdc in last st (16)
Row 14-16: Ch 2, turn, hdc across (16)
Row 17: Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 10, hdc2tog, hdc in last st (14)
Row 18-24:Ch 2, turn, hdc across (14)
Row 25: Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 8, hdc2tog, hdc in last st (12)
Row 26: Ch 2, turn, hdc across (10)
Row 27: Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 6, hdc2tog, hdc in last st (10)
Row 28: Ch 2, turn, hdc2tog, hdc in next 4, hdc2tog, hdc in last st (8) Ch1 turn

Finish by sc around tail and hat.

Make spikes, I did 8 for size 3 months. Great pattern for spikes here http://www.theboytrifecta.com/2011/01/dino-spike-crochet-pattern.html I used a 4.5mm crochet hook

I stuffed my spikes but you don't have to.

Weave in ends and sew spikes on and your done :)

Please let me know if you find mistakes and remember to post photos to ravelry.

The easiest way to sew the spikes on is to fold the hat directly in half, you can thread a different colour yarn up the length of it to make it easier to place them. Then pin them on and sew them on with the yarn from the spikes.