Minion beanie

If you have not watched Despicable Me, go and watch it and then come back....


.....sensational isn't it?!

I have seen a few patterns for this beanie, but I made my own because I wanted the goggle strap to look like a strap rather be incorporated into the yellow. So, here's my version, beautifully modelled by a candle:

 

You will need:

Just less than 100g of Yellow yarn, aran weight (I used Debbie Bliss Rialto Aran - I have seen brighter yellows but this is 100% wool and machine washable, it feels lovely)

Small amount of brown, white and grey (for eye)

Small amount of black yarn (for goggle strap, eye, mouth and hair)

I will use English crochet terms throughout. 

Gauge - 2inch square is 7Tr along and 6Tr up

This is my basic adult beanie pattern, in yellow for the minion:

(I always try it on as I go so I know it fits)

Chain 5 and join with slip stitch. 

Round 1: Chain 3, 11Tr into ring (11)

Round 2: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, 2Tr in each stitch around. Join in 3ch with slip stitch (22)

Round 3: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, 1Tr in next stitch, *2Tr in next stitch, 1Tr in next* repeat around. Join with slip stitch (33)

Round 4: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, 1Tr in next, 1Tr in next *2Tr in next, 1Tr in next 2 stitches* repeat around. Join with slip stitch (44)

Round 5: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, 1Tr in next 10 stitches *2Tr in next, 1Tr in next 10* repeat around. Join with slip stitch (48)

Round 6: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, 1Tr in next 11, *2Tr in next, 1Tr in next 11*, repeat around. Join with slip stitch (52)

Round 7: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, 1Tr in next 12, *2Tr in next, 1Tr in next 12*, repeat around. Join with slip stitch (56)

Round 8: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, 1Tr in next 13, *2Tr in next, 1Tr in next 13*, repeat around. Join with slip stitch (60)

Round 9: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, 1Tr in next 14, *2Tr in next, 1Tr in next 14* repeat around. Join with slip stitch (64)

Round 10: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, 1Tr in next 15, *2Tr in next, 1Tr in next 15* repeat around. Join with slip stitch (68)

Round 11-20: Chain 3, 1Tr in same stitch, Tr around and join with slip stitch. 

(Stop/keep going until you get the desired length)

Eye:

Round 1: With black yarn, make magic ring, ch1, 6Dc into ring

Round 2: Attach brown yarn - 2Tr in each Dc (end yarn)

Round 3:Attach white yarn - Chain 1, 1Dc in same stitch, 1Dc in next, *2Dc, 1Dc in next* repeat around. Join with slip stitch

Round 4: Chain 1, 1Dc in same stitch, 1Dc in next 2 stitches, *2Dc in next, 1Dc in next 2 stitches* repeat around. Join with slip stitch.
Round 5: Chain 1, 1Dc in same stitch, 1Dc in next 3 stitches, *2Dc in next, 1Dc in next 3 stitches*. (end yarn)
Round 6: Attach grey yarn - 1Dc in each stitch around.
Round 7: 1Dc in back loops only (this makes this round stick up like the edge of goggles) around. Join with slip stitch (end yarn)

Goggle strap:
With black yarn, chain 70, leaving long tails
Round 1: 1Tr in each chain, turn
Round 2: 1Tr in each Tr (end yarn but save ends to attach strap to hat)

To make up, I pinned the eye where I wanted it and sewed the goggle straps on. I sewed the two ends behind where the eye would go. I then sewed the back of the strap in the middle of the hat. This way, it would be loose around the sides and would stretch with the hat.
I then sewed the eye on, covering the ends of the goggle strap.

Mouth:
Using black wool and a darning needle, embroider mouth, or make a chain the desired length and sew on.


Hair:
Using more black wool, tie pieces through loops on the top to make strands of hair.

To see what else I'm getting up to, have a look at my blog

Take a Chill Pill

When a colleague said he needed to 'take a chill pill', I couldn't resist!!

You will need:

• a small amount of yarn in two different colours - I used aran weight
• 3.5mm crochet hook
• 2 small buttons for eyes
• very small amount of sewing thread for eyes + needle
• embroidery thread for mouth + needle
• stuffing
• scissors 

CH = Chain
DC = Double Crochet
DC2TOG= Double Crochet 2Stitches Together (insert hook in one stitch, yarn over and pull through, leave loops on hook, insert hook in next stitch, yarn over and pull through, yarn over and pull through all loops so you're left with one loop on your hook)
Sl St = Slip Stitch
I work in English terms so if you're used to American terms, simply read DC as SC!

 N.B I worked in the round. I prefer this to having a seam but it means the back looks like this:

If you prefer a perfect line between the two colours, I suggest you join each round. At the start of the following round, chain 1 and count this as a dc.

The Pattern:

With Colour A (white in the image above) chain 5 and sl st into first chain to make a loop.
Round 1:  6dc into loop, join with slip stitch into first dc (6dc)
Round 2:  1ch, 1dc into same stitch from previous round, then 2dc in each stitch, join to chain (12dc)
Round 3: 1ch, 1dc in same dc, *1dc in next stitch, 2dc in next stitch* around, join (18)
Round 4-10:1dc in each stitch around (18)
End Colour A, weave in ends. - to attach Colour B I got to the last dc in Colour A and when pulling the yarn back through, I dropped the white and pulled the blue through so that I was then working with blue.

At this point, if you want a longer pill, just keep going but remember how many rows you've done so you can match with the second colour.

Once the pill reaches the desired length. Sew 2 buttons on for eyes and make mouth. I simply tied the ends of the threads because they'll be on the inside anyway!

With Colour B
Round 12-19 (or more if you made the first colour longer): 1dc in each stitch around (18)
Round 20: *1dc, dc2tog* 4 times (12)

I stuffed the pill at this point while the hole was big enough. It may be helpful to use a crochet hook to push the stuffing down.

Round 21: dc2tog, 4 times (8)

Pull tight and weave in ends.