Granny Squares Braided Cap

One size fits most

Skill Level — Advanced Beginner

Granny squares are still popular, so why not make this 60s-inspired cap with funky braids? If you get cold, just wrap the braids around to hug your neck and wear as a scarf! The cap will look cute with either short or long braids.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Granny Square 1

Puff st flower square — make 4.

With color B and G hook, ch 4, sl st to form ring.

Rnd 1: Puff st in ring, ch 3 (4 times), end with ch 3, sl st to top of first puff st. End off — 4 puff sts.

Rnd 2: With A, attach to any ch 3 corner sp, ch 3 (counts as first dc) in same sp work (2 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) * ch 1, in next ch 3 corner sp work (3 dc, ch 3, 3 dc) rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sl st to third ch of ch 3. End off — 24 dc.

Granny Square 2

Make 4.

With MC ch 5, sl st to first ch to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 1, 3 sc in ring, ch 2, * 3 sc in ring, ch 2; rep from * 2 times, sl st to top of ch 1. End off.

Rnd 2: With B attach in any ch 2 sp, ch 1, in same sp work (3 hdc, ch 2, 3 hdc), * ch 1, in next ch 2 corner sp, work (3 hdc, ch 2, 3 hdc); rep from * 2 more times, ch 1, sl st to ch 1. End off.

Rnd 3: Attach A in any ch-2 corner sp, ch 3, in same sp work (1 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc). * 3 hdc in next ch-1 sp, (2 hdc, ch 2, 2 hdc) in next ch-2 corner sp; rep from * 2 more times. 3 hdc in last ch-1 sp, sl st to ch 2. End off.

Sew squares tog, alternating Granny 1 and Granny 2, with yarn and yarn needle. With RS tog, sew short ends.

Cap

With MC and I hook, ch 4. Join with sl st to form ring.

Rnd 1: Ch 3, 2 dc in ring, ch 1, * (3 dc in ring, ch 1); rep from * 3 times, sl st to top of ch 3 — 5 sets of 3 dc.

Rnd 2: Sl st over to ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1) around, join — 30 dc.

Rnd 3: Sl st over to ch-1 sp, (ch 3, 2dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in same sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch 1 sp, ch 1. * (3 dc, ch 1, 3 dc) in next ch-1 sp, ch 1, 3 dc in next ch sp, ch 1; rep from * around, join — 45 dc.

Rnd 4: sl st over to ch-1 sp (ch 3, 2 dc) in same sp, ch 1, (3 dc in next ch-1 sp, ch 1) around, join — 45 dc.

Materials:

2 skeins (3 oz./85 g/147 yd. each) yarn in brown (MC)

1 skein (3 oz./113 g/190 yd.) yarn in green (A)

1 skein (3.5 oz./100 g/190 yd.) yarn in persimmon (B)

Size G/6 (4 mm) and I/9 (5.5 mm) hooks

Yarn needle

Used in this project: Lion Brand Wool-Ease in Mink Brown, Brown Sheep Lamb's Pride worsted wool in Kiwi and Red Heart Symphony in Persimmon.

Gauge:

Each square = 2¼″-2½″ (with G hook)

3 dc = ¾″ (with I hook)

Special Stitch:

Puff Stitch: To make 4 dc puff st, ch 3, yo, insert hook into ring and pull up about ½″ (4 times). With 9 lps on hook, yo and pull through all lps.

Helpful Hint:

If you prefer, make one large braid on each side instead of three!

Words of Encouragement

You can never hug your kids too much, and they will never get tired of hearing that you love them. But do you know what will make your kids feel more loved and secure than anything else on this earth? I've heard it said by experts that what makes your children feel secure is knowing that their parents love each other. So if you spend more time with the kids and neglect your spouse, you are really hurting them in the long run. Make them feel more secure by giving your spouse extra attention. Maybe you can even plan a weekly “date.” I know from experience that your kids will love it!

Rnds 5–9: 3 dc in each ch-1 sp around with ch 1 between each set — 15 sets of 3-dc (45 dc on each rnd). With RS tog, sew granny square tube to edge of hat with yarn and yarn needle.

Edging

With G hook and A, sc in each st around. End off. Weave in ends.

Braids

Make 6 with MC.

1 braid: Cut 15 strands of yarn, 3 yds each. Fold the 15 strands, making it 30. Tie a piece of yarn at fold to secure. Separate the 30 strands into 3 groups of 10, and make a braid. Leaving about 6″ of loose ends, place rubber band around braid. Wrap with yarn to cover.

With yarn, tie 3 braids tog at fold. On WS of cap, weave loose ends of yarn through granny square and tie to secure. Sew braids to cap on WS with needle and thread. Rep on other side.