Crochet Pokemon Hat – Pokeball (1-3 Months)

How Do I Put an Image on a Crochet Hat?

I’ve been curious as to how to put an image on a crochet hat myself, and I think I’ve FINALLY cracked the code. I use the free chart making website, Stitch Fiddle, to do this.

I make an image on Stitch Fiddle, in this case the Pokeball, and I substitute each square on the chart as 1 single crochet in the hat. 

Now, you have to make sure that your image isn’t very big or you’ll have a ginormous, wonky looking crochet hat. Single crochets are also the only way to get your image to work without it getting too distorted (half double crochets and double crochets will make the image too “skinny”). Single crochets have a 1:1 ratio, meaning that they are as tall as they are wide.

I also think it’s best to get an idea of how big your hat needs to be by crocheting until you’ve reached your desired crown diameter and then single crochet a short row (like only make 3 or 4 single crochets, turn and ch 1, etc.) on the hat until you’ve reached the appropriate length for your crown diameter size. 

Look at the amount of rows you single crocheted until the desired length and then count how many you have. That is how many squares long your image can be. The total amount of single crochets you have after you’ve reached your crown diameter is how wide your image can be. 

In the case of the Crochet Pokeball Hat Pattern, I’ve increased until I had a total of 56 stitches. Measured out, I was able to have about 14 rows or 14 squares high to fit an image before the hat would be too long.The Pokeball image is 12 squares high and 12 squares wide, which was the perfect size to fit an image in the middle of the crochet hat.

What is the Crown Diameter and How Do I Find It for My Hat?

The crown diameter is how wide your hat needs to be before you start lengthening. You crochet by increasing stitches in every round until you reach your crown diameter.

It seems like many crochet hat chart sizes have different recommendations for crown diameter and length based on age. To obtain a truly accurate measurement, obtain your head circumference with a tape measure or a piece of string (and then measure the string on a ruler). Take your head circumference number and divide it by 3.14, this is your crown diameter.  

Will this Pattern Work for Other Hat Sizes?

Yes, the Crochet Pokeball Hat technically can be worked for other head sizes (except for newborn). The pattern I have available is made for a 1-3 month old…but you can increase until you hit your crown diameter (as explained above), and use the chart below to place your pokeball, but increase on each side of the pokeball to accommodate the increase in total stitches. You will also have to add a few more rounds below the pokeball to obtain an appropriate length. 

How Do I Change Yarn Colors?

Switch yarn colors the square before the needed color change. This post explains how to color change the right way for this crochet hat pattern. You want to single crochet up to the square before the color change, but don’t finish it all the way! Place the new color on your hook and pull through, proceed to crochet with the new color.

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Hat Size: 

Crown diameter is 4.5 inches and length is 5.25 inches (not including the pom pom). Size may vary depending on your tension and if you use a different yarn/hook size.

Materials Needed: 

• White Yarn Mainstays Medium Acrylic x 1 skein
• Red Yarn Mainstays Medium Acrylic x 1 skein
• Black Yarn Mainstays Medium Acrylic x 1 skein
• 5 mm Crochet Hook
• Scissors
• Tapestry Needle

Abbreviations Used:

Please note these are in US terms, not UK.

• St(s) – stitch(es)
• Ch – chain
• Sc – single crochet
• Sc2tog – single crochet two stitches together
• STW – switch to white yarn
• STB – switch to black yarn
• STR – switch to red yarn

Special Instructions:

• The beginning ch 1 does not count as a st.
• Rounds are worked by turning after each completed round. This makes it easier to carry the yarn colors with you back and forth.
• The number in () at the end of the round, indicates how many stitches you should have completed. 

Here is the image of the chart I used to make the hat: