Unique Crochet Baby Hats with Flowers
I recently did some research to help me write my guide to crochet baby hats. When I was doing that research I learned that more people are interested in crochet baby hats with flowers than any other type of crochet hats for babies. This surprised me at first because there are so many different types of these hats. However it actually makes a lot of sense. Flowers add a beautiful embellishment to a basic hat, making it more fun or more funky depending on the types of flowers that you choose to add. This guide takes a look at some of the unique hats that fall into this category and will hopefully provide you with inspiration for crocheting some cool floral baby hats of your own.
Starting with a Classic Look
Before we start looking at some of the funkier options that are available for flowers on crochet baby hats, let’s look at what a really classic version of this type of hat would look like. The most common example would be a crochet beanie with a small flower attached to the side of the beanie using the same color as the hat itself.
Playing with Color
If you are ready to start expanding on the basic flower hat then the easiest way to do that is to play around with color. By altering the color of the flower so that it is different from the color of the hat itself you can really set it off and make a statement. Some ways to play with color include:
o Make the flower in a single color that really stands out against the rest of the hat.
o Make the flower in two colors, one that is the same as the beanie and one that complements it.
o Make the flower using multiple colors either through the use of a variegated yarn or by alternating colors in the rounds when you crochet the hat.
Playing with Size
Another way that you can change the effect of the crochet flower is to play around with the flower’s size. Typically the flower is a fairly small embellishment that is noticeable but is in direct proportion to the size of the hat. Think of the hat as the pot around the flower and you’ll get a basic idea of the standard size of the flower. However, you can really make an impact with crochet baby hats that have flowers in very unique sizes.
The biggest impact is made, of course, when you really exaggerate the flower and make it much larger. A flower that covers one whole side of the hat will really make your baby’s hat special. When you do this you are drawing attention to the flower so it’s especially great for springtime.
However, you can actually also play with size in the other direction and get an interesting effect as well. Baby hats that have a single tiny flower, maybe one that is done in crochet thread instead of with yarn, will be unusual and unique and therefore will attract attention. A small, understated flower can be the perfect embellishment to a more conservative baby hat.
Playing with Number
Size is just one way that you can alter the visual impact of the flower on a baby’s hat. Another option is to play around with the number of different flowers that are on the hat. Traditional crochet baby hats will just have one single flower but you aren’t limited to that. You are welcome to place an entire bouquet on the hat if you so desire. That’s the great thing about handmade baby items!
Some ideas for playing around with the number of flowers on your crochet baby hats include:
o Add a second, identical flower immediately next to the first one that you’ve placed.
o Add a second, identical flower directly on the opposite side of the hat from the first one that you’ve placed.
o Add multiple identical flowers spaced evenly all the way around the hat.
o Use two or more flowers that are identical except that they are made in different colors.
o Use two or more flowers that are not in any way identical.
In other words, when you play around with the number of crochet flowers on a baby hat you also get the opportunity to play around with the color and size of each of the flowers in your bouquet. The options are almost endless when you start to explore adding more than one flower to crochet baby hats.
Playing with Placement
One thing that you will have realized if you started playing around with the number of flowers that can go on crochet baby hats is that you can place flowers anywhere on the hat. This is something to remember when you are using only one flower as well. Most crochet baby hats with flowers are designed with the flower on the side in approximately the middle of the length of the hat. However you can place the flower anywhere on the hat and being creative here can really make the design unique. A large flower right on the top of the hat is going to look a lot different than a small flower dangling off of the side of the hat. Have fun with your designs!
Abstract Crochet Baby Hats with Flowers
In addition to all of the basic crochet baby hats that you can add flowers to there is also the option of creating more abstract (or freeform) crochet hats that are inspired by flowers. They may be long and flowing or short floral bursts. They may be beautiful or dramatic or designed to enhance a costume for the baby. These are definitely different and for some people they are absolutely the perfect crochet baby hats!
