Bear Hugs Baby Beanie

**This pattern is available for FREE on my website, (visit pattern website link above), or you can download it here on Ravelry as a printable, ad-free PDF** Every baby needs at least one bear hat in their collection! This highly textured beanie is thick and warm--definitely a must for cold weather. It would also make a cute photo prop. **Difficulty:** Intermediate **Materials Needed:** 3.25mm (D) hook – Ears 4mm (G) hook - 0-3 months, 6-12 months 5mm (H) hook - Toddler 1 skein Lion Brand “Wool-ease” or other thinner worsted weight yarn (Caron Simply Soft, and Patton’s Wool may work well too). yarn needle scissors stitch marker (for ears) **Stitches Used:** ch = chain sc = single crochet dc = double crochet hdc = half double crochet bpsc = back post single crochet bphdc = back post half double crochet fphdc = front post half double crochet bpdc = back post double crochet fpdc = front post double crochet sc2tog = single crochet 2 together dc3tog = double crochet 3 together. This makes a small bobble. **Additional Notes:** -This pattern uses the Basket Stitch on the top. This means working a lot of post stitches. Please make sure you are comfortable with post stitches before attempting this pattern (or you will drive yourself nuts!). -I crochet with very loose tension. This is important to keep in mind as you work this design. I also used a lighter weight worsted yarn (Lion Brand, “Wool-ease”) so if you use a different yarn such as RHSS or Vanna’s Choice, you may get different results. -Finished 0-3 month hat should measure, unstretched, 6 ¾” wide by 5” tall, excluding ears. Ears should measure 1 ½” tall by 1 ¾“ wide. Finished 6-12 month hat should measure, unstretched, 8” wide by 6” tall, excluding ears. Ears should measure 1 ¾“ tall and 2” wide. The hats should have plenty of stretch. Gauge is 15 stitches per 4". -It may be possible to make a 3-6 month hat by following the 0-3 month size hat pattern, and using a 4.5mm hook I have not personally tested this however.