I think every yarn twisting mama (or papa) has a few tricks in their repertoire that they favor over others. One of my personal favorite crochet techniques is the post stitch.
While this stitch may be daunting at first because you aren’t working into the top loops like with most stitches, the results are fantastic, especially if you’re designing something you want to be kinda stretchy (like in my Winter Poncho free pattern).
Alternating front and back post stitches creates a moderately stretchy fabric with the added bonus of an interesting, ribbed texture. Working it in bulky yarns enhances these characteristics for a big, cushy, warm garment. Here’s a little pattern I worked up recently to hone down my stash – a simple but fun pointed bonnet in small (child) and large (adult) sizes!
Stitches used: Chain (ch), double crochet (dc), front post double crochet (FPDC ), back post double crochet (BPDC), slip stitch (sl st). Here’s my tutorial on post stitch ribbing.
Post Stitch Pixie Hat
Hook: 6.00 mm
Yarn:
Any bulky weight #5, about 200-250 yardsGauge: 5 sts & 3 rows = 2″ in alternating BPDC/FPDC
Notes: Ch-2 counts as the first st.
Leaving about a foot of yarn as a tail, make a slip knot loop. Ch 56.
Row 1: Working in the back of the ch sts, dc in the 3rd ch from the hk and in ea of the next 53 sts. – 54 sts
Row 2: Ch 2, turn. (FPDC in the next st, BPDC in the next st) 26 times. FPDC in the next st. Dc in the last stitch (the 2nd chain of the previous row’s turning chain). – 54 sts
Row 3: Ch 2, turn. (BPDC in the next st, FPDC in the next st) 26 times. BPDC in the next st. Dc in the last st (the 2nd ch of the previous row’s turning chain)
Rows 4-15: Repeat rows 2 & 3 six times.
Row 16: Rpt row 2.
Cut yarn and tie off.
Turn and fold the square of crocheted fabric in half, matching up the sides of the foundation chain. Using the long yarn tail from the beginning, thread a tapestry needle and stitch through both layers at once to make the seam (the seam is now the back of the bonnet). Whip stitch all the way to the corner of the fold.
I like to do the next part with a contrasting yarn, which makes it easier to tell which side is the bottom 😉
With new yarn, ch 30. Yo and insert hook into the corner of the bonnet, into the side of the last dc or turning chain. Draw up a loop. Complete 1 dc. 1 dc in the side of each of the dc’s or turning chains along the bottom of the bonnet, including both sides. Chain another 30 to make the second tie.
Weave in all ends. I like to attach tassels to the ends of my ties – pompoms would look cute too!
-MF
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Reblogged this on Morale Fiber and commented:
I added some major updates and new pictures to my Post Stitch Pixie Hat, so I’m reblogging my own blog here so everyone will see 🙂 Hope you like!
Love the look of the stitch for some reason most patterns with the post stitches are quite complicated. Thanks for coming up with a pattern that we can use to practice that stitch and have a fun hat!
Yay, thank you! I think the post stitch is so fun – glad you liked it too!
Can you tell me what size the original piece ends up being? I bought a different yarn (crazy yummy alpaca!) to use, and just want to make sure I get the sizing correct, since my gauge may be slightly different. Adult size, please. Thanks so much, I am so excited to make this!
Hi Charlie! For the adult size once folded and seamed (but before the bottom edge is worked), the hat should measure approximately 9″ by 9″ – so your rectangle before folding and seaming should measure about 18 inches in length by 9″ in height. 🙂 That alpaca yarn sounds divine!
thank you!!! starting it now.
Aw you’re welcome! Hope you love it 🙂
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I know what some of my Christmas gifts will be this year. Thank you and happy holidays to you and yours.
Me too Tammy! 😉 Happy Holidays and thanks for visiting <3
I LOVE The Pixie Hat!!!
Yay! 🙂 🙂 So glad you liked it!
I bought yarn to make an adult size hat and with the exact gauge and yarn weight and the pattern that’s published came out a child’s size hat. What are the measurement for adult size?
Hi Lisa! I’m not sure what exact measurements my final hat was as I no longer have it, but I do have a bit of a small head 🙂 I’ll have to go over this pattern again and give everything a good check as it’s been a couple years – thank you for leaving the feedback!
Someone asked this in November of 2017… I copied your reply from that:
“For the adult size once folded and seamed (but before the bottom edge is worked), the hat should measure approximately 9″ by 9″ – so your rectangle before folding and seaming should measure about 18 inches in length by 9″ in height.”
You are awesome!! <3 <3