purlJam

1. **Design Strategy**: I will produce a beginner-friendly crochet beanie worked top-down (crown to brim) in worsted (4) weight yarn, using UK stitch names (tr = US dc; htr = US hdc). The beanie will be made in a single main colour (recommend a red‑brown to represent the Welsh springer spaniel coat), with a contrasting white panel and small black details added afterwards using duplicate stitch or surface embroidery so the dog is clearly recognisable. Tapestry crochet in the round is possible but not recommended for a beginner; duplicate stitch (embroidering on finished fabric) gives a clear, crisp dog motif and is much easier to control for detail. I will include clear placement and counts for the motif so the dog will be centred on the forehead/front of the beanie and be recognisable as a Welsh springer spaniel (long drop ears, white blaze, red‑brown patches, black nose). 2. **Construction Plan**: - Work crown in increases in rounds (magic ring start), using UK tr (treble) for an open, quick fabric or UK htr for a slightly denser hat (option provided). - Stop increasing when the round stitch count matches the size target (sizes & stitch counts given). If the standard increase rounds pass a target, a small "evenly spaced increases" round is provided to hit intermediate stitch counts (inline math shown). - Work even in the round for the body to the required depth (metric heights given). - Add a 1.5–2.5 cm ribbed brim worked in BLO (back loop only) or make a fold-up brim (extra depth). - After finishing the hat, place and embroider the Welsh springer spaniel motif with duplicate stitch using white, red‑brown and black yarn. 3. **Quality Assurance**: - Verify increase maths for each round and for reaching targeted stitch counts (showing calculations). - Provide clear guidance for hitting intermediate stitch counts (e.g., 66 sts) by spacing increases evenly. - Warn about tension — dog motif size depends on stitch gauge; provide a tension (gauge) swatch and conversion so motif fits the hat circumference. - Offer two motif methods (duplicate stitch for beginners; tapestry crocheting in rounds for adventurous beginners) and placement notes so the dog sits centred and at the right scale. - Provide yarn amounts, hook sizes, and finishing tips so the project is reproducible. 4. **Final Calculations**: - Tension (example): 12.5 tr (UK) = 10 cm (i.e., 12–13 tr ≈ 10 cm) and 12 rows/rounds = 10 cm using 5.5 mm hook (H / 5.5 mm recommended). These values are used to translate stitch counts to circumference and rounds to body depth. - Example circumference conversion (Adult Medium): 66 sts ÷ 12.5 sts per 10 cm × 10 = 52.8 cm (≈21 in). Inline math validations included in the pattern. - Example body-round calculation (Adult Medium, body depth 16–18 cm): 12 rows/10 cm × 17 cm = 20.4 rounds ≈ 20–21 rounds (work to measured depth).

[PRE-FLIGHT CHECKS] 1. **Completeness**: The pattern includes materials, tension, size chart, crown increases (with per-round maths), body instructions, brim options, motif placement and duplicate-stitch instructions, finishing tips and yarn amounts — all required sections from the template are present. 2. **Consistency**: Increase sequences are calculated and each round's stitch totals validated inline. Conversions from stitch count to head circumference use the stated tension (12.5 tr per 10 cm) and are shown where relevant. 3. **Constraints**: User request for a clearly visible Welsh springer spaniel in red‑brown, white and possibly black is addressed by giving a beginner-friendly duplicate-stitch motif method and placement instructions to ensure recognisability. Yarn weight is worsted and hook size given in metric (5–6 mm). 4. **Safety**: Math checked for increases and spacing examples. If a crocheter's tension differs, the motif size will shift; pattern includes a tension check and instruction to adjust motif width (stitches) proportionally.