Today would have been Jonathan's 27th birthday, my little brother, but sadly, he is not here with us anymore. On April 18, 2015 he past way from kidney failure due to improper care of diabetes. He wasn't quite 25. He had so much life yet to live but I guess it was time for him to go.
When we were kids he was my best little buddy, we would listen to rock music, he introduced me to Disturbed and System of a Down, and he tried to get me to like the screaming music he called metal. I never understood his love of the pig squeal but he sure did. He was also the one that I knew would go with me to see the new, weird independent films that came out. I never did get to take him to Sundance, he would have enjoyed that, but we did have some great discussions about movies and actors. And then when I was 21 I moved to Arkansas and left my sister and brother behind and I started a new life with my husband so Jonathan's and my relationship changed. He was still always there to talk to about music and movies but it was on the phone long distance about once a month or so.
It was during this time that I really started to crochet again. I had had two of my three beautiful daughters by now and I wanted to start creating things for them to love and have. So in November of 2011 I opened up my Little Bucket Boutique and starting pattern writing having a lot of fun. One of my favorite patterns to create was my Sparky Beanie, the Pikachu hat. Jonathan has always had a love of Pokemon and especially loved Pikachu. I remember when he was my daughter's age, 7 or so, maybe younger, and quizzing my on my knowledge of the Pokemon, their powers, levels, and evolutions. Because of that love he asked me if I could make him a Pikachu hat! I was able to make one and he LOVED it! He was working at Walmart during the graveyard shift so it would get cold in there and he would rock his beanie. So many people stopped him and complimented him on it. It sure did make me proud.
Because of his love of it and so many others I am offering you this pattern for free! I hope you have fun creating it and share it with your fellow Pokemon lover. Bur first I want to share a little more about his struggle with diabetes so bare with me a little longer.
My brother was the unlucky kid who got diagnosed with Type 1 Juvenile Diabetes when he was 5 years old only a few weeks before Halloween. I think that was the most traumatic thing for him. From the beginning he struggled with taking care of himself, mom would have to remind him all the time to test his blood sugars and administer his insulin shots. Being the big sister that I am, I learned everything I could about helping him and keeping him healthy. I loved being his nurse. But when he was 13 mom really pushed on him to start taking care of himself and he just wouldn't. I think he hated the disease so much he just thought if he ignored it it would go away.
After I moved to Arkansas that Christmas he ate way too many sweets and put his body into a sugar shock and was hospitalized to bring his blood sugars back down. It happened again I think 2 years later. When he was 21 he started to binge drink, drink to point of throwing up and do it all over again. Yes, turning 21 we are all suppose to try alcohol and enjoy it but when you have diabetes you really should stay away from alcohol. And it was when he was 23 that he became very sick and was diagnosed with almost complete kidney failure brought on by his lack of care of his diabetes and overall health. Over the next 2 years he was on dialysis 3 days a week and put on an insulin pump. He was actually willing to make changes to better himself.
He had never known what he wanted to do with his life but near the end he came to the realization that there was a reason why God had given him this life. Once he got better, which could have happened with a liver and pancreas transplant, he would go through the training to become a Diabetes Counselor and share with people his story and inspire them to make better choices and live as well as you can with this disease.
If you read this whole post, thank you. I feel like I needed to share his story. If you feel lead to learn more about Diabetes please go to this site. http://www.diabetes.org/ If you feel the need to make a donation would place one in honor of Jonathan Creed? Thank you.
And if you came here just for the pattern, sorry for all the scrolling you have to do.
Sparky Beanie
With Optional Earflaps
MATERIALS:
*H (US 5mm) Hook
*H (US 5mm) Hook
*Worsted
Weight Yarn
*Stitch
Marker (optional)
*Yarn Needle
*Scissors
*Fiber Fill
for Ears
GAUGE: 7 dc’s and 4
rows = 2” square
After round
3 (27 dc) your piece should measure approx. 2.75" across widest part.
YARN NOTES
I used I Love This Yarn in Yellow for the main part of the hat. The
accent colors were Black, White, and Red.
SPECIAL STITCHES
Single crochet two together (sc2tog): Insert
hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, insert hook into
next stitch, yarn over and pull through stitch, yarn over and pull through all
loops.
Double crochet two together (dc2tog): Yarn over,
insert hook into indicated stitch, yarn over and pull up a loop, yarn over and
pull through two loops, yarn over and insert hook into next stitch, yarn over
and pull up a loop, yarn over and pull through two loops, yarn over and pull
through remaining loops.
HELPFUL NOTES
Edging
(add after earflaps are made or after your last row): With your MAIN COLOR yarn, join with
sl st at the seam and work a sc all the way
around. When you reach the middle stitch of the earflaps, 3sc in that st and
continue on. This will make a hole to put your tassels through. Fasten off and
weave in ends.
TASSELS: Use 3 CONTRAST COLORS and cut into 36-48
inch strands (or desired length. Remember they will be folded in half and
braided), I cut 3 strands of each color. Take your hook and pull the strands
through the point of the earflap, divide into 3 sections, matching colors, and
braid, knot at the end. Cut to even out the ends.
JOINING: For this pattern you will not count
your beginning chain as a stitch. Join with a sl st to the first stitch (front
and back loops) of every round. Always be sure to work the first stitch of
every round into the first stitch of the previous round (which will be the same
stitch that you joined).
Head Measurement Chart
Age
|
Head Circumference
|
Hat Length
|
Newborn
|
13-15 inches
|
5 inches
|
0-3 Months
|
16 inches
|
5-5.5 inches
|
3-6 Months
|
15-17 inches
|
5.5 inches
|
6-12 Months
|
16-18 inches
|
6-6.5 inches
|
Small Child (2-4 years)
|
17-19 inches
|
6.5-7 inches
|
Large Child (5-10 years)
|
19-21 inches
|
7-7.5 inches
|
Adult
|
21-22 inches
|
7.5-8 inches
|
The second Parenthesis on the last row is to give you an option to make the hat a little longer if needed. Please use the Head Measurement Chart to make the right fit for you.
Newborn/0-3 Months
Ch 4 &
join w/ sl st to make circle (OR make a magic loop)
Rnd 1: ch 2,
9 dc in ring, join with sl st {9 dc}
Rnd 2: ch 2,
(2dc in each dc),
join with sl st {18 dc}
Rnd 3: ch 2,
(dc in next dc,
2dc in next dc),
join with sl st {27 dc}
Rnd 4: ch 2,
(dc in next 2 dc,
2dc in next dc),
join with sl st {36 dc}
Rnd
5: ch 2, (dc in next 3 dc, 2dc in next dc), join with sl st {45 dc}
Rnd 6-11(12): ch 2,
dc in each dc,
join with sl st {45 dc}
Fasten off,
weave in ends.
Earflap
Count 4
stitches to the left from the seam, join yarn with sl st (With outside of hat
facing you)
Row
1: ch 2, dc in next 10 {10 dc}
Row
2: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 6, dc2tog. {8 dc}
Row
3: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 4, dc2tog. {6 dc}
Row
4: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 2, dc2tog. {4 dc}
Row
5: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog twice. {2 dc}
Fasten off.
For the other
side, count 15 stitches to the right from the seam and repeat earflap pattern.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Join yarn to center of
seam and follow directions for edging found in the notes on page 2.
3-6 Months
Ch
4 & join w/ sl st to make circle (OR make a magic loop)
Rnd 1: ch 2, 9 dc in ring, join
with sl st {9 dc}
Rnd 2: ch 2, (2dc in each dc),
join with sl st {18 dc}
Rnd 3: ch 2, (dc in next dc, 2dc
in next dc), join with sl st {27 dc}
Rnd 4: ch 2, (dc in next 2 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {36 dc}
Rnd 5: ch 2, (dc in next 3 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {45 dc}
Rnd 6: ch 2, (dc in next 8 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {50 dc}
Rnd 7-12(13): ch 2, dc in each dc, join
with sl st {50 dc}
Fasten
off, weave in ends.
Earflap
Count
4 stitches to the left from the seam, join yarn with sl st (With outside of hat
facing you)
Row 1: ch 2, dc in next 10 {10
dc}
Row 2: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 6, dc2tog. {8 dc}
Row 3: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 4, dc2tog. {6 dc}
Row 4: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 2, dc2tog. {4 dc}
Row 5: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog
twice. {2 dc}
Fasten
off.
For
the other side, count 15 stitches to the right from the seam and repeat earflap
pattern. Fasten off and weave in ends. Join yarn to center of seam and follow
directions for edging found in the notes on page 2.
6-12 Months
Ch
4 & join w/ sl st to make circle (OR make a magic loop)
Rnd 1: ch 2, 9 dc in ring, join
with sl st {9 dc}
Rnd 2: ch 2, (2dc in each dc),
join with sl st {18 dc}
Rnd 3: ch 2, (dc in next dc, 2dc
in next dc), join with sl st {27 dc}
Rnd 4: ch 2, (dc in next 2 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {36 dc}
Rnd 5: ch 2, (dc in next 3 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {45 dc}
Rnd 6: ch 2, (dc in next 4 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {54 dc}
Rnd 7-13(14): ch 2, dc in each dc, join
with sl st {54 dc}
Fasten
off, weave in ends.
Earflap
Count 5
stitches to the left from the seam, join yarn with sl st (With outside of hat
facing you)
Row
1: ch 2, dc in next 12 {12 dc}
Row
2: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 8, dc2tog {10 dc}
Row
3: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 6, dc2tog. {8 dc}
Row
4: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 4, dc2tog. {6 dc}
Row
5: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 2, dc2tog. {4 dc}
Row
6: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog twice. {2 dc}
Fasten off.
For the other
side, count 17 stitches to the right from the seam and repeat earflap pattern.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Join yarn to center of
seam and follow directions for edging found in the notes on page 2.
Small Child
Ch
4 & join w/ sl st to make circle (OR make a magic loop)
Rnd 1: ch 2, 9 dc in ring, join
with sl st {9 dc}
Rnd 2: ch 2, (2dc in each dc),
join with sl st {18 dc}
Rnd 3: ch 2, (dc in next dc, 2dc
in next dc), join with sl st {27 dc}
Rnd 4: ch 2, (dc in next 2 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {36 dc}
Rnd 5: ch 2, (dc in next 3 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {45 dc}
Rnd 6: ch 2, (dc in next 4 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {54 dc}
Rnd 7: ch 2,
(dc in next 8 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {60 dc}
Rnd 8:
ch 2, dc in each dc, join with sl st {60 dc}
Rnd 9-15(16): ch 2, dc in each dc, join
with sl st {60 dc}
Fasten off,
weave in ends.
Earflap
Count 6
stitches to the left from the seam, join yarn with sl st (With outside of hat
facing you)
Row
1: ch 2, dc in next
14 {14 dc}
Row
2: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc in next 10, dc2tog {12 dc}
Row
3: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 8, dc2tog {10 dc}
Row
4: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 6, dc2tog. {8 dc}
Row
5: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc in next 4, dc2tog.
{6 dc}
Row
6: ch 2 and turn,
dc2tog, dc in next 2, dc2tog. {4 dc}
Row
7: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog twice. {2 dc}
Fasten off.
For the other
side, count 20 stitches to the right from the seam and repeat earflap pattern.
Fasten off and weave in ends. Join yarn to center of
seam and follow directions for edging found in the notes on page 2.
Large Child/Teen
Ch
4 & join w/ sl st to make circle (OR make a magic loop)
Rnd 1: ch 2, 9 dc in ring, join
with sl st {9 dc}
Rnd 2: ch 2, (2dc in each dc),
join with sl st {18 dc}
Rnd 3: ch 2, (dc in next dc, 2dc
in next dc), join with sl st {27 dc}
Rnd 4: ch 2, (dc in next 2 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {36 dc}
Rnd 5: ch 2, (dc in next 3 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {45 dc}
Rnd 6: ch 2, (dc in next 4 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {54 dc}
Rnd 7: ch 2, (dc in next 5 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {63 dc}
Rnd 8: ch 2, dc in each dc, join
with sl st {63 dc}
Rnd 9-16(17): ch 2, dc in each dc, join
with sl st {63 dc}
Fasten
off, weave in ends.
Earflap
Count
6 stitches to the left from the seam, join yarn with sl st (With outside of hat
facing you)
Row 1: ch 2, dc in next 14 {14
dc}
Row 2: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 10, dc2tog {12 dc}
Row 3: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 8, dc2tog {10 dc}
Row 4: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 6, dc2tog. {8 dc}
Row 5: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 4, dc2tog. {6 dc}
Row 6: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 2, dc2tog. {4 dc}
Row 7: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog
twice. {2 dc}
Fasten
off.
For
the other side, count 20 stitches to the right from the seam and repeat earflap
pattern. Fasten off and weave in ends. Join yarn to center of seam and follow
directions for edging found in the notes on page 2.
Adult
Ch
4 & join w/ sl st to make circle (OR make a magic loop)
Rnd 1: ch 2, 9 dc in ring, join
with sl st {9 dc}
Rnd 2: ch 2, (2dc in each dc),
join with sl st {18 dc}
Rnd 3: ch 2, (dc in next dc, 2dc
in next dc), join with sl st {27 dc}
Rnd 4: ch 2, (dc in next 2 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {36 dc}
Rnd 5: ch 2, (dc in next 3 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {45 dc}
Rnd 6: ch 2, (dc in next 4 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {54 dc}
Rnd 7: ch 2, (dc in next 5 dc,
2dc in next dc), join with sl st {63 dc}
Rnd 8: ch 2, (dc in next 6 dc, 2dc
in next dc), join with sl st {72 dc}
Rnd 9-10: ch 2, dc in each dc, join
with sl st {72 dc}
Rnd 11-17(19): ch 2, dc in each dc, join
with sl st {72 dc}
Fasten
off, weave in ends.
Earflap
Count
6 stitches to the left from the seam, join yarn with sl st (With outside of hat
facing you)
Row 1: ch 2, dc in next 14 {14
dc}
Row 2: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 10, dc2tog {12 dc}
Row 3: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 8, dc2tog {10 dc}
Row 4: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 6, dc2tog. {8 dc}
Row 5: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 4, dc2tog. {6 dc}
Row 6: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog, dc
in next 2, dc2tog. {4 dc}
Row 7: ch 2 and turn, dc2tog
twice. {2 dc}
Fasten
off.
For
the other side, count 20 stitches to the right from the seam and repeat earflap
pattern. Fasten off and weave in ends. Join yarn to center of seam and follow
directions for edging found in the notes on page 2.
Attachments
6-12 Months & Younger
Ears (Make 2)
With BLACK yarn
Rnd 1: ch 2, 3 sc in 2nd ch and
join with sl st OR make a magic loop, ch 1, 3 sc, join with sl st {3 sc}
Rnd 2: ch 2, (2dc in each sc) {6
dc}
Rnd 3: ch 2, (2dc in dc, dc in
next 2 dc) {8 dc}
Switch to YELLOW yarn with
sl st
Rnd 4: ch 2, 2dc in joining st,
dc in each st {9 dc}
Rnd 5: ch 2, (2dc in dc, dc in
next 2) {12 dc}
Rnd 6: ch 2, (dc in next 3, 2dc)
{15 dc}
Rnd 7: ch 2, 2dc in joining st,
dc in remaining {16 dc}
Rnd 8-9 : ch 2, dc in joining st,
dc in remaining {16 dc}
Fasten
off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto beanie. Fill with fiber fill.
Eyes (Make 2)
With BLACK yarn
ch
2, 8 dc in 2nd ch and join with sl st OR make a magic loop, ch 1, 8 dc, join
with sl st {8 dc}
Fasten
off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto beanie.
With WHITE yarn
ch
2, 6 sc in 2nd ch and join with sl st OR make a magic loop, ch 1, 6 sc, join
with sl st {6 sc}
Fasten
off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto the black part of the eye.
Cheeks (Make 2)
With RED yarn
ch
2, 8 dc in 2nd ch and join with sl st OR make a magic loop, ch 1, 8 dc, join
with sl st {8 dc}
Fasten
off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto beanie.
Nose
With BLACK yarn
Row 1: ch 5, sc in 2nd
ch from hook, sc in each {4 sc}
Row 2: ch 1 and turn, sc2tog,
sc2tog {2 sc}
Row 3: ch 1 and turn, sc2tog {1
sc}
Fasten
off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto beanie.
Mouth
Take
a long piece of yarn and sew in a up and down zig-zag pattern under the nose
for the mouth. Look at picture for placement.
Small Child & Older
Ears (Make 2)
With BLACK yarn
Rnd 1: ch 2, 4 sc in 2nd ch and join with sl
st OR make a magic loop, ch 1, 4 sc, join with sl st {4 sc}
Rnd 2: ch 2, (2dc in each sc) {8 dc}
Rnd 3: ch 2, (2dc in dc, dc in next 3 dc)
{10 dc}
Switch to YELLOW yarn
with sl st
Rnd 4: ch 2, 2dc
in joining st, dc in each st {11 dc}
Rnd 5: ch 2, (2dc in dc, dc in next 3) do
this twice, 2dc in next, dc in last 2 {14 dc}
Rnd 6: ch 2, (dc in next 3, 2dc) 3 times, dc
in last 2 {17 dc}
Rnd 7: ch 2, 2dc in joining st, dc in
remaining {18 dc}
Rnd 8-11 : ch 2, dc in joining st, dc in
remaining {18 dc}
Fasten
off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto beanie.
Fill
with fiber fill.
Eyes
(Make 2)
With BLACK yarn
ch 2, 10 dc in 2nd ch and join with sl st OR make a magic loop, ch
1, 10 dc, join with sl st {10 dc}
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto beanie.
With WHITE yarn
ch
2, 8 sc in 2nd ch and join with sl st OR make a magic loop, ch 1, 8 sc, join
with sl st {8 sc}
Fasten
off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto beanie.
Cheeks (Make 2)
With RED yarn
ch 2, 10 dc in 2nd ch and join with sl st OR make a magic loop, ch
1, 10 dc, join with sl st {10 dc}
Fasten off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto beanie.
Nose
With BLACK yarn
Row 1: ch 5, sc in 2nd ch from
hook, sc in each {4 sc}
Row 2: ch 1 and turn, sc2tog, sc2tog {2 sc}
Row 3: ch 1 and turn, sc2tog {1 sc}
Fasten
off, leaving a long tail for sewing onto beanie.
Mouth
Take
a long piece of yarn and sew in a up and down zig-zag pattern under the nose
for the mouth. Look at picture for placement.
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