Not the Green-Eyed Monster, but still Monsters!

Monsters are one of those cutesy- scary things all kids will always get kick out of. Monsters, Inc. was very popular with the kids. I wanted to try and create a monster hat that captured both sides: scarry, and cute. I was asked multiple times if it would be a green-eyed monster. I laughed and said "no".

The first hat I made I named Cyclops, it has one large red eye. It wound up in the more scary category than cute for me. I created a second hat I named Blue-Eyes, since it has three blue eyes.  Blue-Eyes encompassed the more cute nature of the monster. I'm still working on a happy medium, so please share your creations.

Time to get into the pattern, and what I did to create the different monsters.

Abbreviations:

Magic Ring Tutorial

* = Section to Repeat

AC = Accent Color

BL = Back Loop

BY = Black Yarn

CH = Chain

DC = Double Crochet

FL = Front Loop

HDC = Half Double Crochet
MC = Main Color

SC = Single Crochet

SCD = Single Crochet Decrease

SK = Skip

SS = Slip Stitch

ST(s) = Stitch(es) 

WY = White yarn

YO = Yarn Over

Yarn:

AC = 2 strands of "Loops & Threads® Woolike™ Yarn" from Michael's Cyclops used Red, and Blue-Eyes used Blue

BY =  2 strands of black "Loops & Threads® Woolike™ Yarn" from Michael's

MC = 1 strand of Citrus "Loops & Threads® Soft & Shiny™ Yarn" from Michael's

WY =  2 strands of white "Loops & Threads® Woolike™ Yarn" from Michael's

 

Other Materials:

Crochet Hook: H/8 or 5.00 mm 

Yarn/ Tapestry Needle

Scissors

Size:

For a toddler/ child.

Hat Pattern:

In MC, make a Magic Ring.
Row 1: 11 DC in magic ring, SS to first DC, CH 2 (Count CH as a DC)
Row 2: 2 DC in each ST around, SS to first DC, CH 2 (24 DC)

Row 3: *2 DC in first ST, DC in next ST*, repeat around, SS to first DC, CH 2 (36 DC)

Row 4: *2 DC in first ST, DC in next 2 ST*, repeat around, SS to first DC, CH 2 (48 DC)

Row 5: *2 DC in first ST, DC in next 10 ST*, repeat around, SS to first DC, CH 2 (52 DC)

Row 6: *2 DC in first ST, DC in next 15 ST*, repeat around, SS to first DC, CH 2 (55 DC)

Row 7: *2 DC in first ST, DC in next 20 ST*, repeat around, SS to first DC, CH 2 (57 DC)

Row 8: 2 DC in first DC where chain is, DC in each  ST, SS to first DC, CH 2 (60 DC)

Row 9: DC in first DC where chain is, DC in each  ST, SS to first DC, CH 2 (62 DC)

Row 10: DC in first DC where chain is, DC in each  ST, SS to first DC, CH 2 (64 DC)

Row 11-14: SK first DC where chain is, DC in each  ST around, SK the CH ST, SS to first DC, CH 2 (64 DC)

Adjust by adding more Rows to make correct length,  if needed. Do not fasten off, start on ear-flap.

 

Ear-flap:

Continue with MC. 

Row 1: CH 1, SC in next 10, CH 1, turn

Row 2; SC in each ST, CH 1, Turn  (10 SC)

Row 3: SCD, SC in next 6, SCD, CH 1, turn (8 SC)

Row 4: SC in each ST, CH 1, Turn  (8 SC)

Row 5: SCD, SC in next 4, SCD, CH 1, turn (6 SC)

Row 6:  SC in each ST, CH 1, Turn  (6 SC)

Row 7: SCD, SC in next 2, SCD, CH 1, turn (4 SC)

Row 8: SC in each ST, CH 1, Turn  (4 SC)

Row 9:  2 SCD, CH 1 (2 SC)

Row 10: SCD, CH 1

Row 11: SC, CH 30, tie off with long tail. (to create string)

Find the second ear-flap's placement by folding hat in half. Set the second ear-flap back five stitches, so there is more space in front.

Create a loop to secure the yarn to the front location for the second ear-flap. Repeat Ear-flap row one through eleven, above.

Hat Edging with Braided Tie String:

Use AC + BY for Cyclops or AC + WY for Blue-Eyes.

*CH 30 with a long lead string off the first ST of the CH. SC in the last SCD of the ear flap. SC across front of hat down other ear flap, SC in last SCD of other ear flap, CH 30 fasten off with a tail of yarn hanging form the end. * Repeat for the back of the hat.

Braid together the 3 CHs and Knot the three tails together when the brain runs out of chain.

Monster Eye(s):

For Cyclops:
In BY, make a Magic Ring.
Row 1: CH 2, 6 HDC, SS to first HDC
Change to AC, CH 2.
Row 2: 2 HDC in each ST, SS to first HDC, 
Row 3: CH2, 2 HDC in each ST, SS to first HDC,
Change to WY, CH 2.
Row 4: *2 HDC in first ST, HDC in next ST,* Repeat around, SS to first HDC
Change to MC, CH 1.
Row 5: SC in each ST all the way around, SS to first SC


For Blue-Eyes (Make 3):
In BY, make a Magic Ring.
Row 1: CH 2, 6 SC, SS to first SC
Change to AC, CH 1.
Row 2: 2 SC in each ST, SS to first SC,
Change to WY, CH 1.
Row 3:*2 SC in first ST, SC in next ST,* Repeat around, SS to first SC
Change to MC, CH 1.
Row 4:  SC in each ST all the way around, SS to first SC


For Blue-Eyes I am going to pull a, "Do as i say and not as I did. " I used HDC on row 1 , 2 and 3.... and I thought the eyes were too big for a good placement. I changed the pattern to be SC.  

Place the eye(s) on the hat where you think it will look good. Sew it/them into place using the MC through the BL of the row out of the MC on the eye. 

Miscellaneous  Monster Accents:

For Cyclops:
I gave the eye, eyelashes. 
I hooking some BY through the FL of the MC row on the top. 
Repeat the process as many times as desired to create eyelashes.
Here is a pictorial tutorial on the process:
 

Step 1- Fold piece of yarn in half pull through FL

Step 2 - YO the two tails and pull through loop.

Step 3- Pull tight.

Step 4- Trim to desired length.

Cyclops also has some black hair on the top of his head. I just wrapped some BY around my hand a few times. Inserted the bundle on one side of the magic ring on top of the hat, and pulled it out the other side directly across.  I knotted it 2 or 3 time to be secure. Then trimmed to length. 


For Blue-Eyes:
In stead of eyelashes I went for Eye brows or eye line, depending on you opinion.
Using the BY and my Needle, I did a basic embroidery stem stitch.
I do know that you may not embroider, so the basic description is a long stitch forward on the surface, a short on backwards (out of sight / on the underside of fabric/ Yarn chain).
Here is a pictorial tutorial on how to do a stem stitch... note this is on paper and I drew what resembles a crochet ST.

Step 1

Step 2

Step 3

Step 4

Well that is it for instructions. Hope you find this useful to create your own Monster hats!

Blue-Eyes

Blue-Eyes

 Cyclops

Cyclops

Cyclops Side