purlJam

# Pikachu Hat for Kids
**A Beginner-Friendly Crochet Pattern**

## Sizing
- **Child (approx. ages 4–8)** — fits head circumference 19–20" (48–51 cm)
- Finished circumference: ~17" (43 cm) unstretched, stretches to fit
- Finished height: ~7.5" (19 cm) including ribbed band

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## Materials
- **Main Yarn (Yellow)**: Worsted weight (medium #4), ~150 yds (140 m) — Pikachu yellow
- **Contrast Yarn (Black)**: Worsted weight, ~20 yds (18 m) — for ear tips, eyes, nose
- **Accent Yarn (Red)**: Worsted weight, small amount (~5 yds) — for cheek circles
- **Crochet Hook**: US H/8 (5.0 mm)
- **Tapestry needle** (for weaving in ends and embroidery)
- **Stitch marker** (to mark beginning of round)
- **Scissors**
- **Optional**: Polyester fiberfill (small amount, for ears)

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## Gauge
- **14 hdc x 11 rows = 4" (10 cm)** in continuous rounds
- Take time to check gauge for proper fit.

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## Abbreviations (US Terms)
- **ch** — chain
- **sl st** — slip stitch
- **sc** — single crochet
- **hdc** — half double crochet
- **hdc2tog** — half double crochet 2 stitches together (decrease)
- **inc** — 2 hdc in same stitch (increase)
- **st(s)** — stitch(es)
- **rnd** — round
- **BLO** — back loop only

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## Construction Notes
- Hat is worked **top-down in continuous spiral rounds** (do NOT join unless noted). Use a stitch marker in the first stitch of each round and move it up as you work.
- Ears are made flat and sewn on.
- Face is embroidered/appliquéd at the end.

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## PATTERN

### Crown (Yellow Yarn)

Begin with a **magic ring**.

- **Rnd 1:** 8 hdc into magic ring. Pull ring closed. *(8 sts)*
- **Rnd 2:** Inc in each st around. *(16 sts)* — *Math check: 8 × 2 = 16 ✓*
- **Rnd 3:** *Hdc 1, inc* — repeat around. *(24 sts)* — *8 increases added*
- **Rnd 4:** *Hdc 2, inc* — repeat around. *(32 sts)*
- **Rnd 5:** *Hdc 3, inc* — repeat around. *(40 sts)*
- **Rnd 6:** *Hdc 4, inc* — repeat around. *(48 sts)*
- **Rnd 7:** *Hdc 5, inc* — repeat around. *(56 sts)*
- **Rnd 8:** *Hdc 6, inc* — repeat around. *(64 sts)*

*Math check: Final st count = 64. At gauge 14 sts/4", circumference = 64 ÷ 14 × 4 = 18.3" — fits head 19–20" with hdc stretch ✓*

Crown diameter should now measure approximately **5.75–6" (14.5–15 cm)**. If too small, add one more increase round (*Hdc 7, inc* = 72 sts).

### Body (Work Even)

- **Rnds 9–22:** Hdc in each st around. *(64 sts each round)*

That's **14 rounds worked even**. At 11 rows/4", body height = 14 ÷ 11 × 4 ≈ 5.1" (13 cm).

Total hat depth so far (crown + body) ≈ 6.5" (16.5 cm). Try on the child if possible — hat should reach just above the eyebrow line at this point.

### Ribbed Band

- **Rnd 23:** Working in **BLO**, hdc in each st around. *(64 sts)* — this creates a fold ridge.
- **Rnds 24–26:** Hdc in each st around. *(64 sts)*
- **Sl st** in next st, fasten off, weave in end.

*Total finished height ≈ 7.5" (19 cm) ✓*

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### Ears (Make 2)

Pikachu's signature pointy ears! Worked flat in rows. Start with **black yarn** for the tips.

**With black yarn, ch 2.**

- **Row 1:** 4 sc in 2nd ch from hook. Turn. *(4 sts)*
- **Row 2:** Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st. Turn. *(6 sts)*
- **Row 3:** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. *(6 sts)*
- **Row 4:** Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc to last 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st. Turn. *(8 sts)*

**Switch to yellow yarn** (cut black, leave 6" tail to weave in).

- **Row 5:** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. *(8 sts)*
- **Row 6:** Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc to last 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st. Turn. *(10 sts)*
- **Rows 7–8:** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. *(10 sts)*
- **Row 9:** Ch 1, sc in first st, 2 sc in next st, sc to last 2 sts, 2 sc in next st, sc in last st. Turn. *(12 sts)*
- **Rows 10–12:** Ch 1, sc in each st across. Turn. *(12 sts)*

Fasten off, leaving a **long tail (~18") for sewing**.

Each ear should be approximately **3.5" (9 cm) tall** and **3.5" (9 cm) wide at base**.

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## Finishing

### 1. Attach Ears
- Position ears on top of hat, angled slightly outward (in a "V" shape).
- Place each ear about **2.5" (6.5 cm) from the center top**, with the base of the ear curved along the hat's surface.
- Pin in place; try hat on child to check placement.
- Using the long tail and tapestry needle, **whip stitch** the base of each ear securely to the hat. Sew through both layers of the ear base for stability.
- *Optional:* Lightly stuff the black tip of each ear with fiberfill before fully closing, to keep ears upright.

### 2. Embroider Face

Position the face on the **front of the hat**, centered, about **1.5" (4 cm) above the ribbed band**.

**Eyes (Black yarn):**
- Make two small filled circles, about **¾" (2 cm) diameter**, spaced **2" (5 cm) apart**.
- Use **satin stitch** to fill, or crochet two small circles (ch 2, 6 sc in 2nd ch from hook, sl st, fasten off) and sew on.
- Add a tiny **white French knot** highlight on each eye if desired (use scrap white yarn).

**Nose (Black yarn):**
- Centered between and slightly below the eyes.
- Embroider a small triangle or short horizontal stitch (~½"/1 cm wide) using satin stitch.

**Cheeks (Red yarn):**
- Make two small red circles, about **1" (2.5 cm) diameter**, placed **below and slightly outside the eyes**.
- Crochet method: With red, ch 2, **8 sc in 2nd ch from hook**, sl st to first sc, fasten off leaving long tail. *(8 sts)* Sew onto hat.

### 3. Final Touches
- Weave in all ends securely with tapestry needle.
- Gently steam or block hat to shape (optional).
- Fold up ribbed band at the BLO ridge for a clean cuff if desired.

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## Pattern Summary Math Check
| Section | Stitch Count | Rows/Rounds |
|---|---|---|
| Crown increases | 8 → 64 sts | 8 rnds |
| Body even | 64 sts | 14 rnds |
| Band | 64 sts | 4 rnds |
| **Total height** | — | **~7.5" / 19 cm** ✓ |
| **Total circumference** | 64 sts | **~18.3" / 46 cm** ✓ |

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## Tips for Beginners
- **Move your stitch marker** every round to stay on track.
- **Count stitches** at the end of each increase round — this is when mistakes hide!
- **Hdc tip:** Yarn over, insert hook, yarn over, pull through (3 loops on hook), yarn over, pull through all 3.
- If your crown is curling into a bowl, your stitches are too tight or you need an extra increase round. If it's ruffling, you have too many increases.
- **Test fit often** — kids' heads vary; you can add or remove a body round to adjust depth.

Enjoy your adorable Pikachu hat! ⚡