Holidays! [puff hat crochet pattern]

As you all know, the holidays are right around the corner, and I've got so much to do!

I've ceased buying gifts for everyone, in lieu of crafting wonderful presents that I've found people appreciate much more than those store bought options.  Last year, I didn't even ask people what they wanted, but instead, made a ton of items, threw them all into a cardboard box and let them pick their presents!  It was fun to watch them rifle through the box, trying things on and exclaiming at each other about how much they liked this hat, that scarf or these gloves.  This year, I'm even crafting toys for the important children in my life~ a fun venture, I think!

I also have a crafting project/gift idea that my daughter and I will complete~ the traditional cookie mix in a jar.  My daughter is 3.5 years old and loves to craft with me!  I think she'll have a blast making these jars for family and friends!

Tonight, I finished my first holiday present...  can't tell you who it's for, because they might be reading this blog and that would just ruin the surprise!!  I love love love the way that this hat turned out, even though I had to totally modify the pattern in order for it to fit my head.  So here's a picture of how it turned out, along with my modified pattern!

Puff Hat




Copyright 2010-2012 LiLu Studios: This Crafting Life, by Lori Steffens. {http://www.thiscraftinglife.com/} Make it, Wear it, Love it, but above all, Share it, don't Sell it!

Hook: Size K

Abbreviations
PS- Puff Stitch
slst- slip stitch
sc- single crochet
ch- chain

Special Stitches:

Puff Stitch:
  1. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook below the chain. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through. There will be 3 loops on the hook.
  2. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook below the chain. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through. There will be 5 loops on the hook.
  3. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook below the chain. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through. There will be 7 loops on the hook.
  4. Wrap the yarn over the hook, insert the hook below the chain. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through. There will be 9 loops on the hook.
  5. Wrap the yarn over the hook and draw through to secure puff stitches at the top.

Pattern:
Chain 5, join.
R1: *PS, ch1* Repeat 6 times, sc in top of beginning PS to join.
R2: *PS, ch1, PS, ch1 in next ch1 space.*  Repeat around (12 PS/ch1).  SC in beginning PS to join.
R3: *PS, ch1, PS, ch1 in next ch1 space.  PS, ch1 in next ch1 space.* Repeat around (18 PS/ch1).  SC in beginning PS to join.
R4: *PS, ch1, PS, ch1 in next ch1 space.  PS, ch1 in next ch1 space.  PS, ch1 in next ch1 space.* Repeat around (24 PS/ ch1).  SC in beginning PS to join.
R5-R15: *PS, ch1 in next ch1 space.* Repeat around (24 PS/ch1).  Sc in beginning PS to join.
R16: *2 sc in next ch 1 space.*  Repeat around (48 sc).  SLST in beginning sc to join.
R17-R18: Sc in each sc around.  (48 sc).  SLST in beginning sc to join.
Finish off.