Crochet: How To Work with Variegated Yarns

I love experimenting with yarn and patterns. These two hats were made from the same two yarns, but it different patterns and stitches (the patterns are below), so the variegation looks very different in both. One is done in a shell pattern which made beautiful spiral strips from the crown of the hat, and the other made horizontal stripes that were very random in nature. At under $4 a skein, I was able to make both hats with a little left over to add to another hat sometime in the future.

Not getting the look you want? Change your hook size or pattern until you do. Variegated yarns are dyed differently. A pattern that works for one will look completely different in another yarn choice. Keep experimenting until you find the look you find pleasing.

Crochet How To - Working with Variegated Yarns - How to get the look you want

Crochet: How To Create a Zebra Stripe Hat – Horizontal Lines

The first hat was made with a free Lion Brand Watch Cap crochet pattern. To get a tween/teen size, I used a J hook for the body of the hat, and an I hook for the ribbing. I used Red Heart Super Saver Yarn worsted yarn in color Zebra ($3.88) and did only four rows of ribbing for a cuffed look. I finished the hat with Lion Brand Yarn 601-610 Bonbons Yarn, Brights in a berry color with a single crochet all around the brim of the hat. The thinner texture of the yarn gives it a blanket stitch look which I love.

Because this pattern is worked in single crochet, the variegated yarn made beautiful and random stripes. Plus the bulk of the yarn gave it a boxed feeling for a fabulous and stylish hat, far from the cap shown in the directions in a chunky but soft yarn.

Free Zebra Stripe Crochet Hat Pattern

Crochet: How To Make a Zebra Hat in a Swirl Pattern

For the second hat, I up-sized it from the Gardener’s Ramblings free infant shell cap pattern to a tween/teen hat by changing to a G Hook and using the same Red Heart Super Saver Yarn – Zebra. Because this pattern is worked in shell stitches, the yarn made fabulous large spiral stripes from the crown of the hat. I used the same Lion Brand BonBons and finished the hat by replacing the  “Ch 2, HDC in next st and in each st around” as instructed in the pattern with  “Ch 1, SC in next st and in each st around with contrasting color.” That gave me the base I needed to add a decorative border that matches the flower that I added. To do the decorative border: Add “Chain 1 – (sc next ch, hdc next ch, dc next ch, 2 trc next ch, dc next ch, hdc next ch, sc next ch) across, finish with single crochet and slipstitch. Fasten off.” to the pattern

I made a flower from my Mix and Match Patterns Post with an F hook and the same  Lion Brand Yarn 601-610 Bonbons Yarn, Brights berry color to finish the hat.

Zebra Swirl Free Crochet Hat Pattern

I think they both turned out cute and hopefully, some child who needs a little warmth on a cold spring night will love them.

How to Crochet –  Yarn Used in this Project

Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Zebra Print

Red Heart Super Saver Economy Yarn, Zebra Print

Lion Brand Yarn 601-610 Bonbons Yarn, Brights

Lion Brand Yarn 601-610 Bonbons Yarn, Brights

How to Crochet –  My Must-Have Tools

Clover Takumi Getaway Soft Touch Crochet Hooks Gift Set, 8 Sizes

Clover Takumi Getaway Soft Touch Crochet Hooks Gift Set, 8 Sizes

Clover Chibi with Darning Needles

Clover Chibi with Darning Needles

Fiskars 4 Inch Detail Scissors

Fiskars 4 Inch Detail Scissors

Dritz Crafters Comfort Glove-Large

Dritz Crafters Comfort Glove-Large

1.5M Heart Shaped Keyring Measuring Tape Ruler Yellow Red Blue 3pcs

1.5M Heart Shaped Keyring Measuring Tape Ruler Yellow Red Blue 3pcs

More Free Crochet Patterns and How To Tutorials