The adult Crochet Family Ridge Hat is a great standard crochet hat with a bit of stitch variation. If you are looking to try your skills at something more than just a double crochet beanie-looking hat, this is a great option.
While I was crocheting this in the video tutorial between the takes, I was having flashes in my brain of New York City. Not sure why really. But I was envisioning homeless shelters, homeless people and street kids. While I get that homelessness and street kids exist practically everywhere in the world, I couldn't help but think this hat is a great option for those in need who brave the cold streets at night time.
While I love bright, flashy and eccentric stitches, homelessness isn't flashy. It's part of our society and people end up on the streets or homeless for reasons that are sometimes beyond their control. We make assumptions of laziness, drugs, alcohol and victims of abuse but it's not the entire story in many cases. Sometimes it's just a family that just had really tough job loss and surprising circumstances. A close friend of mine called me crying the other morning. It was heartbreaking and though positive thinking and trying to steer our lives in the right direction are sometimes not enough. She hit a chord with me with a statement, "No matter what I do, I just cannot catch a break!" She pondered what she had done so badly to end up in a position she was in.
This has really struck me with flashes of people who are in need of human compassion, where crocheters can at least provide warmth to people who we may never meet. Our stitch skills won't fix their situation but can be the difference between a warm evening struggling to stay warm at night time or walking the streets during the day.
The pattern is included and my tutorial will show you how to make this hat. While it's been made with a charity in mind. Don't forget we have teenagers and people in our lives who may not be able to afford to buy a hat. This hat can also be crocheted for a loved one in your life.
Pattern Suggestions
- Crochet Pot Handle Cover Pattern
- Crochet Hamptons Beach Bag Pattern + Tutorial
- Crochet Beginner Well-Schooled Throw Pattern
- Crochet Twisted Head Band Pattern + Tutorial
- Crochet Baby Hunting Hat Pattern
Video Tutorial
Stitch it Forward
Yarnspirations has released their latest Lookbook called Caron, Stitched with Love. The book of free patterns for both knitters and crocheters has one central theme, charity. It focuses on simple projects and some that require a bit of knowledge of crochet. Personally, I love how the Lookbook allows new crocheters to learn new skills but also for the ones who have some skills to go a step further. Not only is this book charity oriented, but it also a great starting point for crocheters and knitters to do something more than practise with stitches. It will allow them to learn, grow and contribute to their own community with the projects they create.
The project above is from this Lookbook. This article is one specific pattern and I have a tutorial that matches it for those who need an extra helping hand with the instructions and skills needed to complete the project.
Ann says
No blue button
Marina King says
button added
Mekeshia D. Kimbrough says
do you have any free printed directions on line??? im trying to crotchet a hat for a gentleman.
Mikey says
I updated the link in this article as the original was moved. Thanks for letting me know. Michael
Jane Pfannenschmidt says
Bang on! Very thought provoking and inspiring.