Amigurumi Parrot Beret Free Crochet Pattern
Brighten up a dull day with a vibrant-coloured parrot hat and add some tropical fun to your winter wardrobe. This parrot even has feathery wings made with a special crochet stitch.
MATERIALS
King Cole Merino Blend Chunky, 100% superwash wool (74yd/67m per 50g ball)
3[3] x 50g balls in 921 Red (A)
2[2] x 50g balls in 859 Saxe (B)
1[1] x 50g ball in 928 Old Gold (C)
1[1] x 50g ball in 919 Cream (D)
Oddment of chunky yarn in black (E)
5mm (UK6:USH/8) and 6mm (UK4:USJ/10) crochet hooks
2 x black ⅝in (1.5cm) diameter buttons
Darning needle
Sewing needle
Black thread
Small amount of toy stuffi ng
Thin card to make tassels
SIZES
To fi t: child, up to 20in (51cm) head circumference [adult, up to 22in (56cm) head circumference]
TENSION
13 sts and 14 rows to 4in (10cm) over double crochet on 6mm hook. Use larger or smaller hook if necessary to obtain correct tension.
METHOD
The main piece is worked in rounds with the earfl aps and facings in rows of double crochet. The spirals on the top of the hat, wings, eyes and beak use a smaller hook to produce a tighter stitch. The pattern that creates the feathery wings is crocodile stitch, which is formed by crocheting around the posts of the stitches on the previous row. The eyes are shaped by working in rounds of double crochet, half treble and treble stitches. The beak is a crocheted circle that is folded, stuff ed and stitched to make a simple curved shape. The hat is fi nished off with small buttons, twisted cords and tassels.
MAIN PIECE
Both sizes
Starting at the top of the hat, with 6mm hook and A, follow the pattern for the leopard hat main piece on page 14.
EARFLAP FACINGS (MAKE 2)
Omit if you plan to add a crocheted lining.
Both sizes
With 6mm hook and B, follow the earflap facing pattern as for the leopard hat on page 18.
Edging
With 5mm hook and A, follow edging pattern for the earfl ap facing on page 18.
Spirals
With 5mm hook and B, join the yarn to a dc in the fi rst round at the top of the hat.
Next: *Make 11[13] ch, 2 dc into second ch from hook, 2 dc into each of the next 9[11] ch, sl st into the same dc at the top of the hat; rep from * once more, sl st into next dc.
Next: Rep from * to make 2 spirals in each of the remaining 5 dc at the top of the hat (12 spirals).
Fasten off and weave in the ends.
Follow the chart for the spirals on the duck hat, page 79.
Wings (make 2)
Starting at the tip of the wing, with 5mm hook and B, make 9 ch.
Following the pattern for the owl wings on page 124, work rows 1–6 in B.
Work rows 7–12 in C.
Work rows 13 to end in A.
Fasten off , leaving a long length of yarn at the end.
EYES (MAKE 2)
With 5mm hook and D, make 4 ch and sl st to first ch to form a ring.
Round 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 6[7] dc into ring, sl st to fi rst dc (6[7] sts).
Round 2 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), dc2inc into the fi rst dc, htr2inc into the next dc, (tr2inc) 2[3] times, htr2inc, dc2inc, sl st to fi rst dc (12[14] sts).
Round 3 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 3[4] times, htr2inc into the next dc, (tr2inc) 4[4] times, htr2inc, (dc2inc) 3[4] times, sl st to fi rst dc (24[28] sts).
Round 4 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), 1 dc in next 8[9] sts, htr2inc, 1 tr into the next 2[3] sts, (tr2inc) 2[2] times, 1 tr in next 2[3] sts, htr2inc, 1 dc into the next 8[9] sts, sl st to fi rst dc (28[32] sts).
Join in yarn A.
Round 5 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 1 dc in next 6[8] sts, (dc2inc, 2dc) 6[6] times, 1 dc in next 4[6] sts, sl st to fi rst dc, turn (34[38] sts).
Fasten off , leaving a long length of yarn A at the end.
BEAK
With 5mm hook and E, make 4 ch and join with a sl st to fi rst ch to form a ring.
Round 1: 1 ch (does not count as a st), work 6[7] dc into the ring (6[7] sts).
Round 2 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc) 6[7] times, sl st to the fi rst dc (12[14] sts).
Round 3 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 1 dc) 6[7] times, sl st to the fi rst dc (18[21] sts).
Round 4 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 2 dc) 6[7] times, sl st to the fi rst dc (24[28] sts).
Round 5 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 3 dc) 6[7] times, sl st to the fi rst dc (30[35] sts).
Round 6 (inc): 1 ch (does not count as a st), (dc2inc, 4 dc) 6[7] times, sl st to the fi rst dc (36[42] sts). Sl st to next st and fasten off leaving a long length of yarn.
MAKING UP
Edging
With right side of work facing, using 5mm hook and A, rejoin yarn to the back of the hat by the second earfl ap and follow the edging pattern as for the leopard hat on page 23.
Eyes
Position the eyes on the front of the hat with the wider part just above the edging and sew all around the edges using the length of yarn left after fastening off . Work a few stitches into the centre to hold them in place with matching yarn. Sew a button to each, inside the fi rst round of crochet, to fi nish the eyes.
Beak
Fold the crocheted circle in half. With the length of yarn left after fastening off , stitch the curved edges together, leaving a small opening. Push a little stuffi ng through the opening to fi ll the beak before stitching closed. Sew the beak in place in between the eyes with the curved side facing out, stitching all around it to secure it in position.
Wings
If making a crocheted lining, attach the wings and twisted cords to the ear fl aps after inserting the lining. Press the wings with a cool iron. Position each wing over an earfl ap and sew in place, matching the colours of the yarn.
Finishing touches
Weave in all the yarn ends. Make two twisted cords (see page 154) using B, each measuring 8[12]in (20[30]cm) long, using 6[8] strands of yarn. Make two tassels (see page 155) measuring 4[5⅛] in (10[13]cm) long in B, and attach each to one end of the twisted cord, then stitch the other end of the cord to the tip of the earfl ap.
LINING
See pages 142–5 for how to make and attach a cosy fl eece or crocheted lining.
