This is a crochet pattern review of the Coastal Cub Hat by Wild Child Designs. Reviewed by Carrie of Mountain Momma Crochet for Cre8tion Crochet.
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Carrie from Mountain Momma Crochet here! I appreciate you coming to check out my assessment of one of my latest makes for a sweet little baby in the family.
How frustrating is it when you are a half-inch off on your gauge? Yep. That’s irritating.
This pattern references Lion Brand Yarn Wool Ease Thick and Quick as an option to make this adorable hat. Using an N/10 mm hook, I attempted to meet the 4×4 gauge and figured out that I needed to step down a hook size. Work it up again, and down another hook size? I know my people are out there, is it you? Is there light at the end of the tunnel? I sure hope so. I worked up a swatch and matched the width but not the length. (Bang head here.)
The good news is that I believe the fault is all mine. With a size 4 yarn, or smaller, I can generally match the gauge on the first attempt. With bulky yarn, let alone super bulky, all bets are off for me. Getting creative, I decided to work it up one last time, what’s the saying – “try, try, try, again”?
Sitting back down with my yarn and an M size hook, I switched on one of my favorite shows to binge on Netflix and knocked out the swatch. Maybe it was the light flirting between Bones and Booth, but my gauge was on point for both width and height using my Prym M hook and the amount of stitches referenced in the pattern.
Either the third time is a charm or I was more relaxed. I want to think I fell into a rhythm. The last few projects have been with size 4 yarn, which is often my go-to and most frequently used size yarn and associated hooks. I often find bulky and super bulky a little tedious to work with, but were no problem with this make.
What Supplies Do I Need to Make the Crochet a Super Chunky Bonnet?
- Super Bulky #6 Yarn – Lion Brand Yarns Wool Ease Thick & Quick (Fig #146 used for completed project)
- Size M13/9mm Crochet Hook (used to meet gauge; pattern references N/10 mm)
- Needle for weaving in ends – large eye needed for super bulky yarn
- Scissors
- Measuring tape for gauge
- Optional, Two Small Gray Faux Fur Pom Pom
- Coastal Cub Hat, Paid Crochet Pattern via Ravelry or the Wild Child Designs site
Material Notes:
Wool Ease Thick & Quick contains 106 yards and is around 6 oz./170 g. With this much yarn, if making the 0-3 months size, two hats could potentially be made. The pattern includes four different sizes, all of which can be made with one ball of yarn. Since this make is for kids, it’s a plus that the Thick & Quick is machine washable.
As you may know, poms come in all sizes. I would use a size appropriate for the age of the hat being made. I chose the smallest poms I had on hand. The poms I used have a small elastic loop on the bottom. I attached a button on each side of the hat (underneath – on the inside) and used the loop to attach it. The ability to remove the poms makes for easy cleaning.
How Long Does it Take to Make the Coastal Cub Hat?
Once you meet the gauge, this hat is not difficult to make. In less than two hours your hat can be completed. For my creation, trial and error on the gauge and working to make the sides neat was part of my mission. After fiddling with those concerns, I was able to work this hat up quickly.
Gauge/Measurement:
Thankfully this pattern had a few different references. There are two gauges specified, tied directly to the types of yarns that can be used in the pattern. Using the standard 4×4, working 4 rows of double crochet over 8 stitches. The finished hat measurements are also included for all sizes, including height and depth. The hat is made in a rectangle. Once the specific amount of rows are complete, you can check the measurements before beginning the finishing steps. When making hats for infants or toddlers, I feel like a height and depth measurement can help with reassuring the fit before gifting or selling. As you can see from the picture below, the rectangle is folded. Measure before proceeding to the sections of the pattern where the edges are trimmed and making the ties.
Pattern Notes:
Special stitches or instructions to understand:
- Double Crochet (DC)
- Front Loop – stitch is completed in the front loop only
- Back Loop – stitch is completed in the back loop only
- Slip Stitch (SS or SL ST)
The pattern instructs CH 3 to begin the next row. To meet the gauge and make the ends neat, I opted for a standing DC in the first stitch, versus chaining to begin the row. The CH 3, in the pattern, is said to be counted as a stitch. For my work, I felt like this left too big of a gap between stitches and it also made my gauge off a bit when working a swatch. This was a great option for me. Some of you might be able to follow the instructions to the letter and as intended. Sometimes you must get creative to get the end result. I’d like to personally thank YouTube and all of the hookers who create tips and videos like this to help us all. I used this video by LittleJohn’s Yarn on YouTube.
I hope you’ve enjoyed my thoughts about this pattern. You can find me on Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok (mountainmommacrochet). Feel free to check me out and give me a follow.
I’d like to thank Cre8tion Crochet for the opportunity to reach out to a larger audience and for the experience of getting to place some thoughts onto digital paper.
Happy hooking!
Carrie of Mountain Momma Crochet
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