I’ve been crocheting for years, but I rarely step outside my comfort zone of chains, sc, dc, and hdc. But when I saw this hat, I knew I had to make it!  The Bernat Stepping Texture Hat spoke to me.  I had to have it.  The only problem: I had to step outside my cozy little crochet comfort zone and learn some new techniques:

• front post double crochet
• back post double crochet
• working from the bottom up instead of top down
• slip stitch rim
• making a pom pom

I was nervous.  What if I put in all this work and it turns out hideous!?  The first hat turned out okay, but I still felt like I fumbled through it.  Luckily,  I made notes on the pattern as I crocheted the hat.  This is something I’ve started doing recently that really helps me out.  Basically, I simplify it and put it in to my own words.  For example, the stepping texture for the hat is just a rotation of a 3 fpdc and 2 bpdc.  Once I figured this out the pattern didn’t seem so scary.  In fact, I was so confident I made some modifications to make the hat work for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• I used different weight yarns instead of super bulky yarn called for in the pattern.  This was possible because the patter is worked from the bottom up and the stepping texture is just a staggered repeat of the same 5 stitches
• I made the hat a little shorter on top because I didn’t really want the extra long slouchy look

I am ABSOLUTELY making this hat again!  Don’t let the pattern intimidate you!  If you need help, check out this awesome article and tutorial:  Stepping Texture Hat on The Crochet Crowd