Designed with a gathered effect on top, this classic hat is more flattering (on the designer at least!) than the usual smooth-top beanie style. Cat ears lend a flair of feline fun, while the bottom ribbing adds warmth. Variations can be made by leaving off the ears and adding a pompom or tassel.

• 3oz. sport weight yarn, grey and a small amount of pink. Model uses Lion Brand Micro Spun.
• Size H/5mm hook, or any size so that you achieve the stated gauge.

Adult - one size fits all

8 sts and 6 rows equal 2 inches

Join each row with a slip stitch. In the ribbing rows, treat the ch 3 and the 1^st dc as one st, making the bpdc around both at once.

Yet another excuse to use fluffy yarn! I made mine specifically for my iPod; it's a size that will also hold most mobile phones and PDAs as well. The cozy closes with a loop and button so that I can plug the earbuds in while it’s in the cozy; you may want to put the loop in a different location depending on what you are keeping in it. The colors and the button that you choose will change the feel of the cozy dramatically –- picture it in a bright color with a fruit-shaped button, for example, or a pale color with a big rhinestone button.

• Berroco Plush, 100% nylon, 1.75 oz/50g, 1 skein in the color of your choice (color in photo is black #1934)
• Hook: I/5.5mm
• Button, sewing needle, thread in desired color

Gauge:
10 sts = 3 inches
2 rows = 1 inch

US pattern convention used

When making a gauge swatch, hold a strand of thread (in a color that contrasts with the yarn) with the yarn strand. It’ll be a lot easier to count the number of stitches.

The inspiration for this hat came from Lis Paludan’s Crochet: History & Technique. Among the many wonderful photos in this book is one of a man’s “Traveling Hat,” an patterned straight hat with a flat top. This is my version. The top is crocheted in a spiral, with alternating bands of color. The woven appearance of the side pattern is achieved by following a simple pattern in the round. As in tapestry crochet, the stitches in the round are slightly offset causing the diagonal lines in one direction to appear solid, while the diagonals in the opposite direction are broken. See the accompanying tutorial Two-color crochet in the ‘round for more information.

For small hat (Figure 1): Brown Sheep, Nature Spun Worsted 100% wool (245 yds / 100 g) in Sage [A] and Charcoal [B], 1 skein each.

For medium hat (Figure 2) : Koigu, Kersti Merino 100% merino wool (114 yds / 50 g) in color K519 [A], 1 skein, and Brown Sheep, Nature Spun Worsted 100% wool (245 yds / 100 g) in Black [B], 1 skein.

Size H hook

Stitch marker

Adult S [M, L] -- Circumference: 22 [23, 24] inches

9 rows = 2 inches in pattern
10 st = 2 inches in pattern

When changing colors, do so by changing yarn in the st just BEFORE the change: Insert hook into st using OLD color, yo, pull loop through, yo in NEW color, pull though*.

US pattern notations: ch, sl st, sc.

Long, long ago, I found a web site with instructions called “Diagonal Crochet.” There were no pictures and my visualization skills aren't the best, but luckily I figured it out and proceeded to use the stitch to crochet numerous square-shaped things. Later, I was ecstatic to find a picture tutorial explaining how to make rectangles using Diagonal Crochet, and I went on to crochet the first of many Pinch of Brown Sugar Bags. Now you, too, can add a touch of sweetness to your wardrobe.

Choose a yarn and appropriately sized hook. The stitches should be neither too loose or too tight -- they should be snug. Gauge (tension) isn't terribly important right now.

One size

I would like to thank all the people who helped me test this pattern: rozeecheeks —for proofreading my first draft, and SamplerLady and rebeccav for testing the pattern and providing pictures of their finished bags.

This is a pattern for the rainbow bag (below), written in US terms.

Front

This can be a doily, a tablecloth, a place-mat, a pillowcase or whatever you decide it to be. It all depends on which yarn you use, and how big you make it.

Note: This pattern uses US terminology

• Two balls of Schachenmayr Crazy Cotton (100% cotton, 125m/137 yards per 50g/1.75 oz ball). This is a so-called self-striping yarn. The colour changes give the plain square a soft, "hand-painted" look. Also, they make it more fun to work the piece!

• A 3 mm hook, to get a solid, yet not too stiff, fabric.

With two balls of Crazy Cotton, I ended up with a 34x34 cm/13.5x13.5 inch square.

This is a square made in the round! This means that the increases in every round are made in four, evenly spaced places, forming the corners. A "chain arch" of 3 ch in every corner keeps the angels straight, and creates nice eyelets.

1) All stitches are worked in the back loop only (except, of course, in round 1 and when stitches are worked around the "chain arches").

2) There is no extra chain in the beginning of each round. You start right off with a sc around the "chain arch". The aim is to make the change between rounds as unnoticeable as possible. For this very reason, it is useful to mark this first stitch by placing a marker (e.g., a safety pin) in it. When the round is finished, you join it with a slip stitch in the first stitch. You will notice that the loop forming the slip stitch will sit on top of the stitch it’s worked into. When you finish the subsequent round, you work the last stitch into the slip stitch. You simply work into every "loop" on top of the round below. As long as you mark that first stitch in the round, it’s very easy.

Getting started