Free Women's Crochet Hat Pattern - Red Riding Hood

Free Women's Crochet Hat Pattern - Red Riding Hood

This Women's Size Red Riding Hood hat is crocheted with 2 strands of yarn together for an extra warm cozy fun hat!

Red Riding Hood crochet hat pattern

You will need:
Size N hook
Yarn needle
Scissors

Abbreviations:
CH.....chain
DC.....double crochet
SC.....single crochet
SS.....slip stitch
CT.....count (stitch count)

Keep a tail of about 18 inches long when beginning, which will be used to sew up back of hat.
Using 2 strands of yarn...CH 53

Row 1: skip 3 CH's, DC1 in each CH across to end, CH3, turn
Row 2-17: DC in same and DC1 in each CH across to end, CH3, turn
Note: at the end of Row 17 CH2 (instead of CH3) and turn
Row 18: SC in same and SC1 in each CH across to end, CH2, turn
Row 19 & 20: repeat Row 18.
Fasten off and securely weave in tail.

To give a finished look to the edges before we close up the back of the hat, SC along the left and right side of hat (photo), tie off and securely weave in tail. I recommend beginning your SC at the front of the hat by where you left off with Row 20 and working toward the back of the hat that is all DC (the front is the SC)

To close the hat (before adding braids)

Fold your hat in half (SC row) using the 18 inch starter tail and yarn needle, weave the yarn in and out around the edge (you are not sewing it, you will cinch it by pulling the tail once you reach the end).

Once you reach the end, pull the tail firmly cinching it closed until you have a closed hole and tie a secure knot. Since you are working with a double layer of yarn, make sure you are picking up both strands when weaving around the edge.

After you pull the yarn closing the back of the hat, without cutting the tail, sew down the back of the hat about 5 inches (not all the way to the end of the row). Cut to about 5 inches, tie off and weave in tails. Leave the rest of the edge open.

Turn your hat out side. Now you can make & attach the braids.

Making & Attaching braids:

Make 6 piles of yarn each consisting of 4 strands of yarn measuring 26 inches long. (You should have 24 strands of yarn total)

Photo shows 3 piles of 4 strands for one side of hat

You will use 3 piles to make one braid on one side and 3 piles for the other side. 

You will now take one pile of yarn (4 strands) and pull it through the corner stitch as shown below, pulling it through to match evenly.

Each pile will be inserted in the corner like the photo above

Take 2nd pile and pull it through the edge as shown above, in the next stitch so it stays close to the 1st pile for braiding, again lining up strands to meet evenly.Take one pile of yarn and pull through the corner of the hat as show, lining up the strands to meet evenly once they are pulled through.

Take 3rd pile and pull through next stitch (as shown above)
Complete this for both sides of hat.

Now you are read to braid your sides
Braid them a little loose, otherwise they feel too stiff and won't hang gently if you tie them.

Leave a few inches at bottom of braid and tie a knot to secure the braid. Cut the fringe at the bottom of the braid if it needs to be evened out.

Congratulations! You have completed your Crochet Little Red Riding Hood hat!