This pattern is available in my Etsy shop.
The waistcoat stitch yields a dense, warm fabric that protects the wearer from cold winter winds.
“No Nonsense Guy Hat” is a waistcoat stitch beanie with a partial band. This versatile design can be worn snugly, with the partial band in back, or slouchy, with the partial band in front.
Sizes: Teen, Adult Small, Adult Medium, Adult Large, and Adult Extra Large.
The written pattern contains 10 pages, with ample color photos and clear instructions on how to crochet the waistcoat stitch.
Three different crochet hooks are utilized for this project: sizes 6.5 mm, 5.5 mm, and 5.0 mm. I recommend a soft medium weight (#4) yarn. The models in the photos were made with Caron Simply Soft in Charcoal Heather and Red Heart Super Saver in Camouflage.
The pattern includes instructions on how to measure the head for the best fit and has been professionally edited and thoroughly tested.
BONUS: for FREE instructions on how to sew a soft, warm lining from knit jersey fabric, please see my blog post: https://cheryldeecrochet.com/2020/08/30/free-sewing-instructions-soft-lining-for-knitted-or-crocheted-beanie/
TESTERS’ RESULTS
Mel Findley gave the following feedback on the pattern. Well done, Mel!
- Gauge for beanie: 12 sts and 16 rows in 4” (10 cm)
- Size, circumference, and depth (over ears) of your beanie. Circumference: 21, Depth: 8
- Yarn brand, including fiber type, and colorway used – Malabrigo Rios, Volcan, Merino Wool
- Hook size used – K, I, H
- Date started and date completed – 10/7 – 10/8, in the evenings
- Pattern difficulty (0 to 5) 2 – the most difficult part for me was getting the big crochet hook through the stitches. I normally crochet loose, but not in this case.
- State whether you agree with “EASY” skill level or not. yes
- Notes – Please provide detailed feedback on your experience with this pattern, including readability of the pattern, errors encountered, etc. Pattern was easy to read, didn’t have any trouble. I love the look of this and will use this stitch in the future. Thanks for letting me test.
DJ Moser made this project. Thank you, DJ!
- Gauge for beanie: 14 sts and 20rows in 4” (10 cm)
- Size, circumference, and depth (over ears) of your beanie. Size XL, circumference 25, depth 10
- Yarn brand, including fiber type, and colorway used Lion Brand, Jeans, Stonewash
- Hook size used 6.5mm 5.5mm 5mm
- Date started and date completed started 10/8 – 10/10
- Pattern difficulty (0 to 5) 3
- State whether you agree with “EASY” skill level or not. yes
- Notes – Please provide detailed feedback on your experience with this pattern, including readability of the pattern, errors encountered, etc. This was a new stitch for me so it took longer to make than if I was experienced with the stitch. I think as discussed a recommendation of a pointy hook should be included. I agree that a soft yarn is so necessary, I tried to use Red Heart with Love and it was too dense.
Tara Kos offered up this great feedback. Thank you, Tara!
- Gauge for beanie: _11.5_ sts and _16_ rows in 4” (10 cm)
- Size, circumference, and depth (over ears) of your beanie. 23″ circ unstretched. 8 3/4 inc top to front, 10″ top to back.
- Yarn brand, including fiber type, and colorway used Knit Picks Brava Worsted in Coral. Used 91 grams – approx 199 yards (a full 100g skein – I didn’t do as much length as I was afraid of running out.)
- Hook size used K 6.5 mm, I 5.5 mm. (I couldn’t find my H hook, so finished the edge with the I.)
- Date started and date completed Oct 10 – 11, 2020
- Pattern difficulty (0 to 5) Overall it’s a 1 after learning the new stitch, but I would rate it a 2 if they don’t know the WST yet.
- State whether you agree with “EASY” skill level or not. In-between easy and medium.
- Notes – Please provide detailed feedback on your experience with this pattern, including readability of the pattern, errors encountered, etc.
- The pattern has a lot of information in it. I would add the need for a pointy hook as stated before. [Done.]
- In your diagrams of the stitch, you may want a photograph of where the stitch comes out in the back as well. I did the crown wrong (and much more difficult) with the strong vertical stitch result. I then watched a video where they showed where it comes out in the back, and was able to correct what I was doing and the body of the hat id done correctly. Seeing where the hook comes out in the back really helped and the rest of the hat went much more smoothly. [Done.]
- In your row chart, row 14 – 18, the column with the sizes in it (Teen, Adult S, etc) makes it look like that row is ONLY for the size listed. I know the text in the column to the left explains that, but the size column makes it confusing. I would omit the column totally, OR you could say “Teen, after this, skip to row 19” and “Adult S, after this, skip to row 19”. Omitting the column would not hurt anything though, as you explain “Stop increasing here for 23″ size”. You –could– say “Stop increasing here for 23″ Adult M size” if you want those labels included. [Done.]
- In the partial band section, it might be helpful to add in rows 2 – 5 the number of stitches for each size as you did in row 1. Not necessary, but may be helpful for some people. [Done.]
Just want to say I enjoyed testing this pattern and learning a new crochet stitch. Your pattern was easy to read overall and held lots of information which was beneficial. Thank you!
Natalie from Oklahoma gave this feedback. Thank you, Natalie!
Gauge for beanie: _14_ sts and _20_ rows in 4” (10 cm)
Size, circumference, and depth (over ears) of your beanie. – 20.5″ circ and depth including band 8.75″
Yarn brand, including fiber type, and colorway used – Lion Brand Basic Stitch Premiere in Cayenne
Hook size used – H, I, K|
Date started and date completed – STARTED 10/9 COMPLETED 10/10
Pattern difficulty (0 to 5) 2 Once I realized I want going straight through the middle that is.
State whether you agree with “EASY” skill level or not. – With a bit more guidance about technique for those like me who are out of practice or new to the game, a beginner could certainly do this.
Notes – Please provide detailed feedback on your experience with this pattern, including readability of the pattern, errors encountered, etc. – No errors found. Extremely well-written pattern and the photos are really helpful. Maybe one of the hook coming through the back of the work? [Done.]
Debbie Caldwell made this contribution. Thank you, Debbie!
Gauge for beanie: 13 sts and 20 rows in 4” (10 cm)
Size Adult Large, circumference: 22-1/2, and depth 9-1/2″ (over ears) of your beanie.
Yarn brand: Caron Simply Soft – Chocolate (Acrylic) 105g-194 yds
Hook size used: K/10-1/2 – 6.5mm, I/9 – 5.5mm, H/8 – 5 mm
Date started and date completed: 10/12/2020 – 10/15/2020 though, once I figured out the proper stitch, the hat took approximately 7 hours
Pattern difficulty (0 to 5): 1 if you’re familiar with the WST, 2 if not.
State whether you agree with “EASY” skill level or not. Yes, though I think people tend to believe easy is the same a fast. You may include a side note with your stitch definition regarding how much slower the WST can be vs single crochet for some.
Notes – Please provide detailed feedback on your experience with this pattern, including readability of the pattern, errors encountered, etc.
The readability of the pattern is excellent. Is has a good font and the layout is nice. I didn’t find any errors. The photos are clear and large enough. I agree with the other tester’s comment with respect to the instructions for rows 14-18. [Done.]
Thank you for the opportunity to test your awesome hat! I wish you all the luck when you debut it!