Fall Blog Hop 2021 | Hitobito Project | Solair Beanie

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Happy November and welcome back to the 2021 Fall Blog Hop! I cannot believe October flew by as quickly as it did. The fall is my favorite season but always seems to go by the quickest. For the first November blog hop, we have a special guest designer and her adorable Solair Beanie Pattern.

This week’s guest designer is Maya from Hitobito Project. Maya is a new designer but got her start making finished crochet products. I love how whimsical her creations are. They include bright colors and cute patterns that really show off her unique style and brand.

I had the pleasure of getting to know Maya on social media and got to know her better going through our mini-interview for this blog hop. She was kind enough to provide her Solair Beanie Pattern for free so make sure to keep scrolling to grab it!

Pin for later!

When did you get started crocheting? What inspired or made you want to learn?

I held a hook for the first time when I was four or five when I found my mum’s old set of crochet hooks and yarn. But all I could make then was a tangled ball of yarn. I learned how to crochet properly in 2013, because I wanted to make myself a beanie, and the feeling of completing a project was so good that I never stopped crocheting since.

What do you focus on now / what is your specialty? Tell us more about your website or shop.

Until this year my focus was on creating a variety of finished products, as I used to crochet mostly to gift my friends and family. But as more people began asking me to crochet for them, it turned into my little business called Hitobito Project. Through my business, I wanted to be connected with different people, and share in the feeling of receiving something that is handmade and personalized.

I used to make garments as well as accessories, such as hats and bags freehand because I could not always find patterns that were exactly to my preference, or to that of my customers’. It then struck me to write my own patterns as well. So far I have written four, and it has been immensely satisfying. The patterns I have written and the positivity I have received from the community continue to encourage me to write more and create new designs.

What is your favorite thing about the craft? Do you have a favorite stitch or technique?

I enjoy the feeling of spending time doing something constructive. As I place one stitch over the next my hands end up creating something that I or someone else can wear, which gives me great joy. The movement itself is also relaxing, that is why at the end of the day, however tired I am, getting back to my crochet helps me feel calm.

One of my favorite things to crochet is granny squares, which is why they feature in most of my patterns.

Where can we find your work?

If you’re interested in seeing Maya’s other work, you can check out her Azuki Bikini top here! Make sure to follow her social media to stay up to date on all her latest releases! She even has a Solair Scarf Pattern releasing in just 2 short days on November 8th.

Now for the moment we’ve all been waiting for, the Solair Beanie pattern! We all know that granny squares are SUPER in right now. I mean, we’ve seen Harry Styles’ popular square patch jacket. More than that, patches and squares themselves are very in-style, as seen from Asap Rocky’s Met Gala outfit this year.

Maya really nailed the trend this year with the Solair Beanie. It features smaller granny squares that construct the circumference of the beanie. It’s a whimsical creation all its own and can be made in so many color combinations!

Solair Beanie Pattern

This is the free version of the Solair Beanie pattern, which includes the written instructions. The downloadable pattern with step-by-step photo guide, and crochet diagram is available on my Ravelry and Etsy shop.

One of my favorite things to make are granny squares because they are like building blocks for so many different patterns, including hats. I designed the Solair Granny Square in a way that it will not have any gaps. So even if this is on the band of a hat, it will keep you warm and cozy.

The color changes for the squares might seem a bit complicated to begin with, but once you get the hang of it, like all granny squares they are relaxing to keep making.

Good luck and happy crocheting!

Level:

Intermediate

Supplies:

Yarn: DK weight wool, acrylic or alpaca. (Or anything warm and fuzzy in size 3)
Yardage: Divided over two colors however you may wish
- Toddler (T): 145m/160yds
- Adult S (S): 190m/210yds
- Adult L (L): 225m/245yds
Color A: Lemon Cookie (cream variegated)
Color B: Lavender
Hooks: 4mm (ribbing), 4.5mm (granny squre), 5mm (body), or whatever size you need to meet the gauge.
Notions: stitch markers, measuring tape, scissors, and tapestry needle.

Stitches and Abbreviaions (US Terms):

RS: Right side

WS: Wrong side

Ch: Chain

Sk: Skip

St: Stitch

SS: Slip Stitch

SC: Single Crochet

HDC: Half Double Crochet

HDC 2 TOG: Half double crochet 2 together

DC: Double Crochet

CSA: Corner Stitch A, the DC before the Ch2 sp in Round 1

CSB: Corner Stitch B, the DC after the Ch2 sp in Round 1

FPDC 2 TOG: Front post double crochet 2 together – Yarn over, insert hook from the front of work around the post of the st below, yarn over pull up a loop back through the post. You have 3 loops on your hook. Yarn over, pull through 2. Yarn over, insert hook from the front of work around the post of the next st below, yarn over pull up a loop back through the post. You have 4 loops on your hook. Yarn over, pull through 2, yarn over pull through 3.

You can also refer to this video tutorial by Knitversity, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yLD95Ku8Z-s&ab_channel=Knitiversity

FPTC 2 TOG: Front post treble crochet 2 together –Yarn over 2 times , insert hook from the front of work around the post of the st below, yarn over pull up a loop back through the post. You have 4 loops on your hook. (Yarn over, pull through 2) 2 times. Yarn over 2 times, insert hook from the front of work around the post of the next st below, yarn over pull up a loop back through the post. You have 5 loops on your hook. (Yarn over, pull through 2) 2 times, yarn over pull through 3.

You can refer to the previous video tutorial for this stitch too and simply replace the DC by TC.

BLO: Back loop only

Standing SC: Make a slip knot, yarn over, put hook through the stitch you wish to start with, yarn over, and pull through two loops

* * : Indicates repeat

Gauge Swatch:

Granny square = T 2 ½”, S 2 ¾”, L 3”.

Notes:

The instructions for the different sizes will be written as follows: T (S, L)
The beanie used for photographing is size S.

Granny Square

The granny square is worked in rounds as seen in the photos.
For more distinct colour changes, do the last ‘yarn over pull through 2 loops’, of the previous stitch with the new colour.

Body

The body is worked in alternately turning rounds, joined with ss at the end of each round.
The ss at the end of each round counts as a stitch, so do not make them too tight.

Measurements:

This pattern comes in three different sizes, T (S, L)

A) Circumference: 20” (22”, 24”)

B) Height: 8” (9”, 11”)

Note: Do not stretch to measure, gently straighten and hold against the tape.

Instructions:

Band:

The band is made up of 8 granny squares that are joined together. Once they are joined they should measure about 20” (22”, 24”).

Solair Granny Square:

All sizes: (Colour A) Using 4.5mm hook make magic circle.

Round 1:

Start crocheting into the circle as shown in image.

Ch3 (counts as 1DC), 3DC, * Ch2, 4DC *, repeat 3 more times, Ch2, SS into the top of starting Ch3. Close the magic circle tightly. (16 DCs, 4 Ch2 spaces)

(Remember to change colour for the last SS, as the next round starts with a colour change)

Round 2:

(Colour B) Ch2, (Colour A) Ch1 (Ch2 + Ch1 counts as 1DC), FPDC 2 TOG, * (Colour B) DC in CSA, DC in Ch2 space, (Colour A) FPTC 2 TOG in CSA and CSB, (Colour B) DC in Ch2 space behind the FPTC 2 TOG, DC in CSB, (Colour A) FPDC 2 TOG * repeat 2 more times, (Colour B) DC in CSA, DC in Ch2 space, (Colour A) FPTC 2 TOG in CSA and CSB, (Colour B) DC in Ch2 space behind the FPTC 2 TOG, SS to the top of starting Ch3. (4 FPTC 2 TOG, 4 FPDC 2 TOG, 16 DCs)

Size T stop here: Continue to Ribbing

Round 3

Size S: Ch1 (counts as 1SC), SC in same st, SC1 in next 2 sts, * (2SC, Ch1, 2SC) in the next st, SC 1 in next 5 sts * repeat 2 more times, (2SC, Ch1, 2SC) in the next st, SC, SS to the top of the starting Ch1 (36 SCs, 4 Ch1 spaces)

Size L: Ch2, HDC in same st, HDC 2, * (2HDC, Ch1, 2HDC) in the next st, HDC 5 * repeat 2 more times, (2HDC, Ch1, 2HDC) in the next st, HDC, SS to the top of the starting Ch2, fasten off. (36 HDCs, 4 Ch1 spaces)

Stop here to check you gauge, approximately = T 2 ½”, S 2 ¾”, L 3”

Make 3 more Solair Granny Squares in this colour, and 4 in inverse colours.

Weave in all the ends.

Ribbing:

All sizes:

Switch to 4mm hook, or to the size smaller than the one used for the granny squares.

Making sure all squares are facing right side up, join with flat ss join, or any method you prefer like SC join.

Once all the pieces are joined together, do a measurement check, approximately = T 20”, S 22”, L 24”.

Border:

To avoid weaving in all the ends from the joining, you can stitch over them in this step, and repeat the same when you get to the other side.

Attach yarn by making a slip knot, and make a standing SC in any one of the joining stitches.

Toddler and Adult L: SC in each stitch around including the 2 joining stitches, SS to top of 1^st SC.

Adult S: SC in each st around skipping 1 of the joining stitches. SS to top of 1^st SC.

Ribbing:

Row 1:

Ch4 (Ch 5, Ch 6)

This is the foundation row of the ribbing, and it is worked perpendicular to the border.

Row 2:

Turn, SC in 2^nd st from hook, SC in next 2sts (3sts, 4sts), SS into the next st from where R1 is attached to the border, SS in next st.

Row 3:

Turn, Sk the 2 SS, SC BLO in the next 3sts (4sts, 5sts), Ch 1.

Row 4:

Repeat Row 2 & 3 until you have a ribbing all around, Fasten off with a tail to seam the ribbing.

Body:

Flip the work around, and start working on the other edge of the granny square band.

Switch to 5mm hook, or a size bigger than the one used for the granny squares.

Border:

Attach yarn by making a slip knot, and make a standing SC in any one of the joining stitches.

Toddler and Adult L: SC in each stitch around including the 2 joining stitches, SS to top of 1^st SC.

Adult S: SC in each st around skipping 1 of the joining stitches. SS to top of 1^st SC.

Body:

This part is worked in alternately turning rounds that are seamed as you go.
Make the SS at the end of each round a bit loose, so that you can stitch into it in the next round.

Round 1 (RS):

Ch1, DC in same st, *Sk 1, (SC1, DC1) in next st* repeat until the end, Sk 1, SS to the top of the Ch1.

Round 2 (WS):

Turn, Ch1, DC in same st (SS of R1), *Sk 1, (SC1, DC1) in next st (SC of R1)* repeat until the end, Sk 1, SS to the top of the Ch1.

Repeat R1 & R2 until the height of your hat measures approximately = T 8”, S 9”, L 11”.

Finish on RS.

Closing Rounds:

These rounds will be done only on the RS, and not alternately turning rounds.

Make sure to weave in all ends and you’re done!

I just want to thank Maya for sharing this pattern with us. Make sure you check out her social media and shops to stay up to date with all her latest creations.

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