purlJam

# Crochet Felt Fox Hat & Collar Set
**Difficulty Level:** Beginner
**Terminology:** UK English (Metric)

### Technical Editor's Notes
*   **CRITICAL TERMINOLOGY WARNING:** This pattern uses **UK Crochet Terms**.
    *   UK Double Crochet (dc) = US Single Crochet (sc)
    *   UK Treble Crochet (tr) = US Double Crochet (dc)
    *   UK Half Treble (htr) = US Half Double Crochet (hdc)
*   **Felt Style:** To achieve the "felt" look requested, we recommend using acrylic or wool blend yarn that has a slight "halo" (fuzziness). For the sharpest face details (eyes/nose), this pattern suggests using actual felt fabric cutouts glued or sewn on, which is the most beginner-friendly method.
*   **Tension (Gauge):** 14 sts and 8 rows = 10cm x 10cm in UK tr using 5.0mm hook.

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### 1. Materials & Tools
*   **Yarn:** Worsted / Aran weight yarn (Weight 4).
    *   Main Colour (MC): Fox Orange/Rust (approx. 150g)
    *   Contrast Colour A (CC1): White/Cream (approx. 50g for cheeks/ear tips/collar)
    *   Contrast Colour B (CC2): Black (small amount for nose/ear outlines)
*   **Hook Size:**
    *   5.0mm (US H-8) for Main Hat and Collar
    *   4.0mm (US G-6) for Ears (creates tighter fabric to stand up)
*   **Other:**
    *   Sheet of black and white craft felt (for eyes)
    *   Fabric glue or needle and thread
    *   Yarn needle
    *   Stitch marker
    *   Scissors

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### 2. Size Chart (Head Circumference)
*   **Toddler:** 46-48cm (Stop increases at Rnd 4)
*   **Child:** 48-51cm (Stop increases at Rnd 5)
*   **Teen/Small Adult:** 51-54cm (Stop increases midway between Rnd 5 and 6)
*   **Adult Medium:** 54-56cm (Follow pattern fully to Rnd 6)
*   **Adult Large:** 58-61cm (Add one more increase round)

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### 3. Hat Construction (The Beanie)
**Style:** Classic Fitted
**Stitch Pattern:** UK Treble Crochet (tr) - Fast and stretchy.

**Instructions (Size Adult Medium):**
Using **5.0mm hook** and **Orange Yarn**.

**CROWN:**
*Note: Chain 3 at start of round counts as first tr.*

*   **Rnd 1:** Magic ring, ch 3, 11 tr into ring. Join with sl st to top of ch-3.
    *   [Math: 1 (ch3) + 11 tr = 12 sts]
*   **Rnd 2:** Ch 3, tr in same st. 2 tr in each st around. Join.
    *   [Math: 12 sts $\times$ 2 = 24 sts]
*   **Rnd 3:** Ch 3, 2 tr in next st. *Tr in next st, 2 tr in next st* repeat around. Join.
    *   [Math: 24 start + 12 inc = 36 sts]
*   **Rnd 4:** Ch 3, tr in next st, 2 tr in next. *Tr in next 2 sts, 2 tr in next st* repeat around. Join.
    *   [Math: 36 start + 12 inc = 48 sts]
*   **Rnd 5:** Ch 3, tr in next 2 sts, 2 tr in next. *Tr in next 3 sts, 2 tr in next st* repeat around. Join.
    *   [Math: 48 start + 12 inc = 60 sts]
*   **Rnd 6:** Ch 3, tr in next 3 sts, 2 tr in next. *Tr in next 4 sts, 2 tr in next st* repeat around. Join.
    *   [Math: 60 start + 12 inc = 72 sts]

**BODY:**
*   **Rnds 7-18 (or until hat measures 19-20cm from top):** Ch 3, tr in each st around. Join.
    *   [Math: Work even on 72 sts]

**BRIM (Simple Ribbed Look):**
*   **Rnd 19:** Ch 1 (does not count as st), UK dc in each st around. Join.
    *   [Math: 72 sts]
*   **Rnd 20:** Ch 1, *UK dc in front loop only (FLO)* in each st around. Join.
    *   [Math: 72 sts]
*   Fasten off Orange. Weave in ends.

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### 4. Fox Elements (The "Felt" Look)

#### A. Fox Ears (Make 2)
*Use **4.0mm hook** for stiffness. Work in continuous spirals (do not join).*
*   **Rnd 1 (White):** Magic ring, 6 UK dc. [6 sts]
*   **Rnd 2 (White):** (UK dc in next 2, 2 dc in next) twice. [8 sts]
*   **Rnd 3 (Change to Orange):** (UK dc in next 3, 2 dc in next) twice. [10 sts]
*   **Rnd 4 (Orange):** (UK dc in next 4, 2 dc in next) twice. [12 sts]
*   **Rnd 5 (Orange):** (UK dc in next 5, 2 dc in next) twice. [14 sts]
*   **Rnd 6 (Orange):** (UK dc in next 6, 2 dc in next) twice. [16 sts]
*   **Rnd 7 (Orange):** (UK dc in next 7, 2 dc in next) twice. [18 sts]
*   **Rnd 8 (Orange):** (UK dc in next 8, 2 dc in next) twice. [20 sts]
*   **Rnd 9 (Orange):** UK dc in each st around. [20 sts]
*   **Finish:** Flatten the ear. Sl st through both layers to close bottom. Leave long tail for sewing.

#### B. Fox Face (Cheeks/Snout)
*Option 1 (Crochet):* Make two flat circles using White yarn and Rnds 1-3 of the Crown pattern. Sew these onto the front of the hat, overlapping slightly in the middle.
*Option 2 (Felt Fabric - Recommended for Beginners):* Cut a wide, shallow heart shape or two ovals from White felt fabric. This creates a smoother, more cartoon-like face.

#### C. Eyes & Nose
*   **Eyes:** Cut two circles from Black felt (approx 2cm diameter). Glue/sew onto the White cheek patches.
*   **Nose:** Cut a rounded triangle from Black felt. Place it where the two white cheek patches meet in the centre.

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### 5. The Collar (Cowl)
This creates the "neck" of the fox. It is a simple loop scarf.

**Instructions:**
Using **5.0mm hook** and **Orange Yarn**.
*   **Foundation:** Chain 75 (or number needed to fit loosely over head). Join to first ch being careful not to twist.
*   **Rnd 1:** Ch 3, tr in each ch around. Join.
    *   [Math: 75 sts]
*   **Rnd 2-4:** Ch 3, tr in each st around. Join.
*   **Rnd 5 (White Patch):** Switch to White yarn. Ch 3, tr in next 10 sts, switch back to Orange, tr to end. Join.
    *   *Note: Carrying the yarn behind creates a thicker fabric.*
*   **Rnd 6 (White Patch):** Orange tr until you reach white section. Switch to White, tr in white sts, switch to Orange, tr to end.
*   **Rnd 7-10:** Continue in solid Orange.
*   **Finish:** Fasten off and weave in ends.

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### 6. Assembly & Finishing
1.  **Placement:** Put the hat on a head form or a ball (a small melon works!) to stretch it slightly.
2.  **Ears:** Pin ears to Rnd 4 or 5 of the Crown, spaced about 8-10cm apart. Sew securely using the yarn tail.
3.  **Cheeks:** Sew/Glue the White felt (or crochet) patches on the lower front of the hat body (approx Rnds 10-16).
4.  **Face:** Glue Black felt eyes onto the white patches. Glue Black nose in the centre intersection.
5.  **Clean up:** Weave in all loose ends on the inside of the hat.

### 7. Variations
*   **Winter Beanie:** Use "Bulky" (Weight 5) yarn and a 6.0mm hook. Reduce max stitch count to 48-54 sts.
*   **Slouchy Fox:** Add 5 extra rounds to the **Body** section before starting the brim.
*   **Ribbed Brim:** Instead of the simple edge, work *Front Post Treble, Back Post Treble* for the last 3 rounds.