TUTORIAL – Crochet Minion Hat

houseofesperanza

13 years ago

After an unexpected positive response to my crochet minion kids hat, I was asked about providing a pattern. I thought about trying to draft up a fancy PDF file and post it for sale, but I am no crochet expert and besides, writing a formal pattern would take me f-o-r-e-v-e-r. I would be happier giving crocheters out there a fun tutorial to make their own minion characters.

Anyone else who would like to purchase the finished item can do so thru our Etsy shop where it is listed in various children’s sizes.

The following detailed tutorial is for a child 3-5 years old for a 20 inch head circumference.

An abbreviated pattern for others sizes will be towards the bottom of this post.

I apologize for the poor quality of the photos, as I was very eager to get this post out to those who requested. My vampire schedule makes it difficult to take good photos without the natural daylight. Especially when I’m stuck indoors most of the time.

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What you will need:

Crochet Hook: H/8-5.00mm (US)

Yarn– Worsted weight medium (4) yarn, I use Loops & Theads Impeccable in the following colors:

> Butterscotch (yellow)

> Popsicle Blue

> Black (small amount)

> White (small amount)

> True Gray (small amount)

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The base of the hat starts with a magic circle. For those not familiar, there are oodles of magic circle tutorials and instructional videos available online. Try this link here for an easy to follow tutorial.

R1: starting the yellow color, create a magic circle.

Once the magic circle has been looped onto the hook, chain 2 ( from here on, ch2 will not count as a stitch for body of the hat)

12 DC (double crochet) into the magic circle, and close up the circle by pulling on the short strand of yarn.

slip stitch into the top of the first double crochet of the round (not the original chain 1 or 2)

chain 2 (remember does not count as a double crochet)

R2: start increasing

2 DC into the same stitch as the chain 2

2 DC in every stitch around (total 24 DC)

slip stitch into the top of the first double crochet of the round (not the original chain 1 or 2)

chain 2

R3: Another increase row

2 DC in same stitch as ch2, 1 DC in the next stitch

2 DC in the next stitch, 1 DC in the next

Continue with this increase all the way around (total 36 DC)

slip stitch to the top of the first DC

ch 2

R4: Another increase

2 DC in same stitch as ch 2, 1 DC in next, 1 DC in next

repeat increase of *2 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC* around (total 48 DC)

slip stitch to the top of the first DC

R5: another increase (not pictured)

ch 2

2 DC in same stitch as ch 2, 1 DC in next, 1 DC in next, 1 DC in next

repeat increase of *2 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC. 1 DC* around (total 60 DC)

slip stitch to the top of the first DC

R6: no more increase

ch 2

1 DC in same stitch as ch 2

Continue around with 1 DC in every stitch

R7: Add the black yarn

We will be adding the color for the next row in a seamless way

On the last DC from R6, only partially complete the stitch, leaving 2 loops on the hook

Tie a slip knot onto the black yarn, and place onto the hook

Pull black yarn thru the stitch, completing the DC

Find the top of the first DC of the row

Slip stitch into the top of the first DC of the row

Yarn joining is complete!

chain 2

Notice the yellow yarn is NOT tied off. Will be easier to pick up when needed again in the next row

1 DC in same stitch as ch 2

1 DC in each stitch around

We will be adding the yellow yarn back on in preparation for the next row

On the last DC, only partially complete the stitch, leaving 2 black loops on the hook

Pick up the yellow yarn and pull thru the stitch, completing the DC

chain 2

R8: 1 DC into each stitch around, slip stitch into top of first DC

Starting to look like a hat

R9 – R12 : repeat R8

We will be adding the blue yarn in preparation for the next row, same as we did with the black yarn at the end of R6

On the last DC of the round, only partially complete the stitch, leaving 2 black loops on the hook

Pick up the blue yarn and pull thru the stitch, completing the DC

Slip st to the top of first DC at the beginning of the row

chain 2

(the yellow yarn can be tied off at this point, it will no longer be used)

R13: 1 DC in same stitch as ch 2. 1 DC in every stitch around. Slit stitch to top of first DC of the beginning of the row

Start earflaps

R1: chain 1, 1 sc into same stitch as ch 1

1 SC across for 11 stitches (12 sc total)

chain 1

Turn

R2: The next stitch will be a single crochet decrease (SCD) that will cover the next 2 stitches

A more detailed explanation/tutorial of a SCD can be seen HERE

SC across 8 stitches

SCD over the last 2 stitches in the row

chain 1

turn

The rest of the earflap will continue in the same manner, as follows:

R3: SC 10, ch 1, turn
R4: SCD over first two SC, SC next 6, SCD over last two SC, ch 1, turn
R5: Sc 8, ch 1, turn
R6: SCD over first two SC, SC next 4, SCD over last two SC, ch 1, turn
R7: SC 6, ch 1, turn
R8: SCD over first two SC, SC next 2, SCD over last two SC, ch 1, turn
R9: SCD over first two SC, SC dec over last two SC, ch 1, turn
R10: SC over two sc

Finish off

2nd earflap

Locate the seam at the back of the hat, where the earflap row started

Count 14 stitches away from the seam, this is where the 2nd earflap will start

Turn

After turning, slide hook thru the 14th chain located

Tie a slip knot onto the blue yarn and slide onto the hook

chain 1

Row 1 for the 2nd earflap will be stitched AWAY from the seam, maintaining the 14 stitches in between the 2 earflaps.

R1: 1 SC across for 11 stitches

chain 1, turn

Rest of the 2nd earflap will continue same as the 1st earflap with the following pattern

R2: Row 2: Sc dec over first two sc. Sc next 8 sc. Sc dec over last two sc. Ch 1, turn

Do not tie off

With the outside of the hat facing you, we will start an edging all the way around the hat

chain 1

SC evenly around the earflap

Continue to SC around the front of the hat and around the flap on the other side

Once back at the beginning of the where the edging started, SC 3 into the center space created in the earflap. (notice the small *hole* visible in the first picture) This creates a rounded edge and allows an opening for braided tails to be attached if desired.

Tie off

This is a good spot to weave in any loose ends that might be hanging around

Hat is almost complete!

Eye

R1: magic circle

chain 3 (WILL count as a stitch)

10 DC inside circle (11 DC total)

Start another DC inside the circle but do not finish the stitch

We will be adding the white yarn in preparation for the next row

With 2 black loops still on the hook, slide the white yarn slip knot onto the hook

Complete the 12th DC stitch by pulling the white yarn thru the 2 loops on the hook

Slip stitch into the chain #3 from the beginning of the row.

R2:

chain 3 (counts as DC)

1 DC into same stitch as ch 3

2 DC in ever stitch around (24 DC total)

Only partially complete the last DC (#24). We will be adding a 3rd yarn color, using same method.

Attach the gray yarn to the hook with a slip knot and pull thru the 2 white loops on the hook, completing the 24th DC of the round.

Slip stitch into the chain #3 from the beginning of the row.

R3:

chain 1 (counts as sc)

SC 1 into same stitch

SC 1 in next stitch, 2 SC in next

Repeat the same increase around

Slip stitch to chain 1 from the beginning of the round

slip stitch into every single crochet from the previous round (this will give a nice edge to the eye resembling the goggles worn by the character)

Center the eye on the hat where it looks best

I used a large needle to secure the eye onto the hat easily. Any method can be used

Minion “hair” can be added at the preference of the maker/wearer

I chose an easy method

Cut 6 strands of black yarn, each approx 8 inches in length

Find a comfy spot at the very top of the hat where the hair would look good

Using a larger crochet hook, such as the N sized hook pictured, makes this step easier

Folding the group of strands in half, pull the center of the strands thru the location on the hat.

With the hook still in the loop which is the center of the strands, pull the ends of the strands thru the loop, creating a knot

Cut the ends of the strands to the desired length

Now you have crazy minion hair

All that is left to add is the smile. Which can be added with black yarn and a large needle. Placed wherever desired below the eye. Choose a frowny face, sideways smirk, or smile and hand stitch it into the yellow DC.

Here is an abbreviated pattern for different hat sizes:

Pattern for eye and “hair” remain the same for all hat sizes

Toddler – 19 inches around:

R1: magic circle, 12 DC

R2: increase – 2 DC in each stitch (24 DC)

R3: increase – *2 DC, 1 DC*. repeat ** (36 DC)

R4: increase – *2 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC*. repeat ** (48 DC)

R5: increase – *2 DC, 1 DC in the next 7 stitches*, repeat

R6: (no increase) attach black yarn, DC in every stitch

R7-R10: (reattaching yellow yarn), DC in every stitch, tie off black yarn

R11: attach blue yarn, DC in every stitch, tie off yellow yarn

R12: with blue yarn, HDC in every stitch

start ear flaps

First Earflap:
Ch 1
R1: SC 12, ch 1, turn
R2: SCD first two SC, SC next 8 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R3: SC 10, ch 1, turn
R4: SCD first two sc, SC next 6 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R5: SC 8, ch 1, turn
R6: SCD first two SC, SC next 4 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R7: SC 6, ch 1, turn
R8: SCD first two SC, SC next 2 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R9: SCD first two SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R10: SCD over two SC

Finish off

Second Earflap:
Locating the 14th stitch away from the seam, attach blue yarn. Ch 1

Crochet away from the seam where the other ear flap is, keeping 14 stitch distance in between the 2 earflaps.
R1: SC 12, ch 1, turn
R2: SCD first two SC, SC next 8 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R3: SC 10, ch 1, turn
R4: SCD first two sc, SC next 6 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R5: SC 8, ch 1, turn
R6: SCD first two SC, SC next 4 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R7: SC 6, ch 1, turn
R8: SCD first two SC, SC next 2 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R9: SCD first two SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R10: SCD over two SC

SC around for edging

Child 3-5 years – 20 inches around:

Toddler:

R1: magic circle, 12 DC

R2: increase – 2 DC in each stitch (24 DC)

R3: increase – *2 DC, 1 DC*. repeat ** (36 DC)

R4: increase – *2 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC*. repeat ** (48 DC)

R5: increase – *2 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC*, repeat** (60 DC)

R6: (no increase) DC in every stitch around

R7: attach black yarn, DC in every stitch around

R8-R12: (reattaching yellow yarn), DC in every stitch, tie off black yarn

R13: attach blue yarn, DC in every stitch, tie off yellow yarn

start ear flaps

Finish off

Second Earflap:
Locating the 14th stitch away from the seam, attach blue yarn. Ch 1

SC around for edging

Child 6-10 years – 21 inches around:

R1: magic circle, 12 DC

R2: increase – 2 DC in each stitch (24 DC)

R3: increase – *2 DC, 1 DC*. repeat ** (36 DC)

R4: increase – *2 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC*. repeat ** (48 DC)

R5: increase – *2 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC*, repeat** (60 DC)

R6: (no increase) DC in every stitch around

R7: attach black yarn, *2 DC, 12 DC*, repeat around **

R8-R13: (reattaching yellow yarn), DC in every stitch, tie off black yarn

R14: attach blue yarn, DC in every stitch, tie off yellow yarn

start ear flaps

First Earflap:
Ch 1
R1: SC 14, ch 1, turn
R2: SCD first two SC, SC next 10 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R3: SC 12, ch 1, turn
R4: SCD first two sc, SC next 8 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R5: SC 10, ch 1, turn
R6: SCD first two SC, SC next 6 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R7: SC 8, ch 1, turn
R8: SCD first two SC, SC next 4 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R9: SCD first two SC, SC next 2, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R10: SCD over two SC, SCD over last two SC

R11: SCD over two SC

Finish off

Second Earflap:
Locating the 16th stitch away from the seam, attach blue yarn. Ch 1

Crochet away from the seam where the other ear flap is, keeping 16 stitch distance in between the 2 earflaps.
R1: SC 14, ch 1, turn
R2: SCD first two SC, SC next 10 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R3: SC 12, ch 1, turn
R4: SCD first two sc, SC next 8 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R5: SC 10, ch 1, turn
R6: SCD first two SC, SC next 6 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R7: SC 8, ch 1, turn
R8: SCD first two SC, SC next 4 SC, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R9: SCD first two SC, SC next 2, SCD last two SC, ch 1, turn
R10: SCD over two SC, SCD over last two SC

R11: SCD over two SC

SC around for edging

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Pattern can be modified to smaller baby sizes if desired.

Simply do not increase to the larger sizes and take away rows.

I hope this tutorial is helpful to anyone wanting to tackle making their own child sized minion hat.

*** I ask credit be given where it is due for anyone using this pattern **

Be kind to crafty bloggers providing free patterns, don’t take credit away from them.

Please feel free to ask questions.

Enjoy!

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