Ninja Turtle Hat Pattern

This was a custom order for a small boy who loves the Ninja Turtles. I recommend reading through the pattern first before attempting it. After the event these will be available on the easy site: Precious Yarn

NINJA TURTLE HAT
Size I Hook

The red mask is a little bigger than the blue mask because I did DC for all rows instead of the SC rows listed below. The pattern listed below will create the blue mask. The border of the SC around the mask makes it look more sleek.

Size G Hook

Materials:


Worsted weight yarn

Used: RED Heart super saver (found it to be the best for children hats. It holds up to their rough play and doesn't break down in the wash with fuzz or get limp and withered. I recommend using the same brand of yarn (whatever you choose) for all parts. When you change yarn the thickness can change and the size of the hat can also change.

Colors: Green, mask color choice, white and black

Hook: G - toddler size (18 inches)
 - skip row 5

Hook: H child size (20 1/2 inches)
 

*Hook: I special child size (this is for those children who have longer heads than the average. My five year old has a 20 1/2 inch head but it is shaped different than my 2 year old with the same 20 1/2 inch head so the hats don't always sit right)


If you crochet loose you may want to use one size smaller than listed above or if you use a stretchy yarn. I prefer the crochet hooks by Susan Bates but it is your own preference. I also prefer the smaller hooks because the yarn is closely pulled together without pulling your tension tight.

Yarn needle

Scissors

Abbreviations:

CH - Chain

SC - single crochet

DC - (Double Crochet)

HDC - (Half Double Crochet)

TR - Triple crochet

Sl - slip

St - stitch

Green Yarn:

Ch 3 begin row 1 in the first chain to create magic ring

Round 1: 12 DC in magic ring, slip st to top of first DC; the chain 3 do not count as a DC

Round 2: ch 2, 2 DC in same connecting st, continue with 2 DC in each st around, sl st to top first DC
there will be the ch 2 that pulls the stitches together. (12 groups of 2 DC or total 24 stitches)

Round 3: ch 2, *2 DC in next same connecting st, 1 DC in the next st*, repeat around from *. Sl st in first DC 


Round 4: ch 2, 2 HDC in next same connecting st, *2 HDC in next st, DC in next 2 sts*, repeat around from *. Sl st in first HDC - for toddler size skip row 5 move to row 6

Round 5: ch 2, 2 HDC in next same connecting st, *2 HDC in next st, DC in next 3 sts*, repeat around from *. Sl st in first HDC (60 std) 

Count all the stitches in the round. This is very important because the hat size will be determined at this point. Continue to count the stitches in each round completed if you are not experienced with crocheting in the round. It is very easy to add stitches and not realize it especially in the joining st. This is to make sure additional stitches are not added.

Round 6: ch 2, DC in each st around, do not sl st with green change to mask color and Sl st in first DC with mask color. (red)

Mask Color: (RED)

Rounds 7: ch 2 SC in each st around, sl st in first SC not the ch 2
Rounds 8 - 10: ch 2, DC in each st around, sl st in first DC

Round 11: ch 2, SC in each st around, sl st in first SC using the green

With Green:

Round 12-13: ch 2, DC in each st around, sl st in first DC

Round 14-15: ch 1, SC in each st around, sl st in first SC

Depending on the desired size the hat will measure approximately 6.5 inches if you need more length repeat round 14 and 15.

Tie off and weave in ends

Back ties: RED – read through the back tie directions to the bottom before you begin to have a clear understanding as the pattern for the large and the small are the same but minus 2 rows in the middle to shorten the length.

Slip stitch red onto the hat in the back at the top of round 11. To do this you will want to slip into the top of the double crochet so the tie lays on top of the back of the hat.

Row  1: Slip stitch ch 2 and SC  in next 7 DC. Start at the back seam and count over 7 stitches.

Row (2-6) 2-8: ch 2, 1 HDC to end of the row (7 HDC); repeat this row until row 8 or desired length. (For smaller tie: complete Row 2-6 and move to Row 9 of the larger tie).

Row (7) 9: ch 2 decrease 1 (yarn over slip stitch into first HDC do not finish the st but yarn over and slip stitch into next HDC and pull through all loops on hook creates 1 stitch in 2 spaces), 1 HDC in next 3 st, decrease 1, which will take you to the last stitch. (5 HDC)

Row (8) 10: ch 2 decrease 1, 1 HDC in next 1 st, decrease 1 which will take you to the last stitch. (3 HDC)

Row (9) 11: ch 2 decrease through all three stitches. (yarn over slip stitch into first HDC, do not finish the st, but yarn over and slip stitch into next HDC, again do not finish the st, yarn over and and pull through the last st, yarn over and pull through all loops on hook creates 1 stitch in 3 spaces to give the round bottom effect).

Row (1) for the smaller tie will be added at the top of row 10. I layered them so at the 3^rd stitch of the first flap start the second flap in row 10 so they lay nicely on top of each other.

[Row (Small Tie) Large Tie:] 

Eyes: WHITE make 2

Ch 3

Round 1: 12 DC in first ch from hook to create the round or inside magic circle, pull tight to form circle


Round 2: ch 1, 2 sc in first st, 1 sc in next st, 2 HDC in next st, 1 HDC in next st, 2 DC in next st, 2 tr in each of the next 2 sts, 2 DC in next st, 1 HDC in next st, 2 HDC in next st, 1 sc in next st, 2 sc in last st. Sl st in the top of the first sc.

I hate sewing so I recommend sewing the whites of the eyes to the hat and then adding the black pupils. I know most sites suggest sewing it a different way but I have found it makes it easier to position them so they don’t appear cross-eyed.

My mom thought the eyes should be more with the mask so if you are looking for this type of effect you can take (one size bigger than what you used) hook and slip stitch the mask color around the whites of the eyes. Remember to cut a tail long enough to sew to the mask. It does make the eyes appear rounder if you choose this option.

Pupil: BLACK make 2

Ch 3

Round 1: 8 HDC into magic circle, pull tight and sl st to the top of the first HDC. Tie off cut a long tail to sew.

Using yarn needle attach each black pupil to the white piece after the eye has been positioned on the hat. Be sure to make sure they are set at the low corner so they don’t appear creepy. Sew the pupils to the hat last.