Each of the following stitches will be used in this pattern. The steps will show how to do them step-by-step, but you might prefer to get familiar with them before getting started.

NOTE – This pattern uses US crochet terms. If you typically use patterns using other country’s crochet patterns, please check stitch instructions to make sure you are using the same stitch that is called for in the pattern.

Wrap the yarn around the hook from back to front.

With a slip knot on your hook, yarn over.

Pull your hook down and through the loop on your hook, leaving one loop.

Insert your hook into the top loop. Yarn over.

Pull through the loop of yarn.

Pull the loop of yarn through the first loop on your hook as well.

Insert your hook into the top loop, yarn over.

Pull the loop of yarn through, yarn over again.

Pull through both loops on your hook.

Insert your hook into the first stitch, yarn over.

Pull through the loop of yarn.

Insert your hook into the second stitch, yarn over.

Pull through a loop of yarn. Yarn over.

Pull through all three loops on the hook.

Insert your hook into the back loop of the stitch only.

Yarn over, pull through the loop of yarn.

Yarn over, pull through both loops on your hook.

Yarn over, insert your hook into the top loop.

Yarn over, pull through the loop of yarn.

Yarn over again, pull through the first two loops on your hook.

Yarn over a final time and pull through the remaining two loops.

Yarn over, insert your hook into the top loop.

Yarn over, pull through the loop of yarn.

Yarn over again and pull through all three loops on your hook.

With the end of your yarn laying across the palm of your hand, wrap the yarn around your fingers, crossing the working yarn over the tail end.

Hold the yarn in place with the thumb of the same hand. The loose end of the working yarn will now be on the left. Turn your hand over and insert your hook under the yarn on the right side.

Hook the working yarn (on the left) and pull it through, under the yarn on the right.

Twist the hook as you bring the loop through.

Carefully take the loop off your fingers and work a chain to secure the loop. You can then continue to work as many chains as the pattern calls for.

Leaving a tail (around 4-5 inches long) of yarn at the front of your hand, wrap the yarn loosely, around your first finger. Wrap the yarn from the front, crossing the yarn at the top of your finger.

Insert your hook under the yarn on the right side. Hook the yarn on the left, pull it under the yarn on the right, twisting the hook as you pull it through.

Carefully take the knot off your finger. Pull the free end, to tighten the knot.

Pull the working yarn, to tighten the loop on your hook. Now you are ready to work.

Finish off by cutting the yarn and pulling the end through the loop on the hook. Pull this tight, to stop the stitches unravelling.

The pattern also includes hand sewing techniques. We recommend using embroidery floss for these hand stitches. Use two strands from a six-strand embroidery floss so when both strands are threaded through the needle and folded over, the two strands will become 4 strands.

NOTE – The pictures below show the stitches being done on fabric. The methods are the same on yarn.

Thread the needle and tie a knot in the end of the thread.

On the inside of one of the fabric pieces, put the needle through a tiny bit of fabric.

Pull the thread almost all the way to the knot. Stop pulling, split the thread close to the knot creating a gap then slip the needle through the gap.

Pull the thread taut. The thread should now be knotted to the fabric.

NOTE – Tying the thread to the fabric this way will prevent the knot from coming through the fabric as you stitch.

Put the needle through to the right side or underside of the fabric depending on which side of the fabric the needle needs to be on for the next step.

Thread the needle with yarn and attach to the inside one of the crocheted pieces, following the ‘Attaching Thread’ directions in the Hand Sewing Instructions below.

Line up the crocheted edges, right sides out.

Put the needle through one of the crocheted pieces so it comes out the loops of the first stitch on the right side of the piece. Then, bring the needle over both pieces and insert it into both loops of the next set of stitches on each of the crocheted edges. Pull the needle all the way through, pulling the yarn taut.

Move the needle back over both pieces of crochet work and put the needle back into the loops on the next stitch. Be sure to go through both layers. Pull the needle all the way through and pull the yarn taut.

Repeat all the way around.

Size small instructions are green.

Size medium instructions are red.

Size large instructions are blue.

Instructions in black, apply to all sizes.

Note – the chains worked at the start of rows or rounds, are not included in the stitch count given, unless stated.

Sample Square

It is important that the gauge is correct for this pattern. If not, the finished hood will not be the right measurements. Make sure that when you are counting your stitches, (to check the gauge) you look at the top of the row. Measuring with your sample laid flat, you will see 4 stitch pairs, per 2 inches. From the top, you will see 6, individual stitches. (See the photos to help you.)

If your gauge doesn’t match, you can try working with a larger, or smaller, hook size. Otherwise, you can crochet your stitches tighter or looser, as required.

This section is crocheted in multiple rows of suzette stitch.

With the light brown yarn chain 50. Chain 60. Chain 70.

Starting in the second chain from the hook, work a single crochet and a double crochet, into the same chain. Skip the next chain and work 1 single crochet and 1 double crochet into the next chain and skip 1 chain. Repeat this pattern across the starting chain. In the last chain of the row, work 1 single crochet only. Turn. (49 stitches, 59 stitches, 69 stitches).

Chain 1. In the first stitch, (this is the 1 single crochet that you worked, at the end of the last row) work 1 single crochet and 1 double crochet. Skip 1 stitch. Repeat this pattern across the row, then work 1 single crochet only, into the last stitch. Turn. (49 stitches, 59 stitches, 69 stitches)

Tip – The last stitch of the row may have curled around the corner. Make sure that you don’t miss it, or your stitch count will reduce.

Repeat step 1.3 for 22, 24, 28 further rows. Your work should now measure 8.5 inches, 9 inches, 10 inches, high.

Tip – count your stitches, after every 2-3 rows that you work, to make sure that you are not increasing, or decreasing, your stitch count. It may be helpful to add stitch markers, every 10 stitches, to make counting quicker.

Finish off, leaving a tail of around 40 inches. Thread a needle onto the end of the tail.

Fold the piece in half, across a vertical axis, lining up the edges. Pin or clip the top edge together.

Using the tail of yarn, whipstitch the 2 edges together, where you have pinned. When you have reached the end, tie off. Weave in the tail ends.

You now have the basic hood shape, that is open at the bottom and the front. Next you will crochet an edging around the front opening, to shape the hood around the face.

Join the mid brown yarn, in the bottom, left, corner, of the front of the hood. To do this, put a slip knot, of the new yarn, onto your hook. Insert the hook into the starting stitch. Yarn over and pull through a loop. Slip stitch, to secure it.

Chain 2. Work 1 half double crochet into each of the row ends, around the front edge of the hood. 24 26 30 stitches, up 1 side, to the central seam, and then the same number of stitches, down the other side. After the last stitch, chain 2, (these chains count as a stitch here) and slip stitch into the bottom corner. (This chain 2 and slip stitch, makes both the starting and finishing points of this row look the same). Turn. (49 stitches, 53 stitches, 61 stitches).

Working back along the half double crochet stitches, of the previous row, chain 1.

Work 1 single crochet into the first 3 stitches. 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 8 stitches, 1 single crochet two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 5 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 3 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the  next 5 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 8 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 3 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the remaining 2 stitches. Turn. (42 stitches)

Work 1 single crochet into the first 2 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 10 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 6 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 5 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 6 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 10 stitches, 2 single crochet, two together into the remaining 4 stitches. Turn. (46 stitches)

Work 1 single crochet into the first 2 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 15 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 6 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 3 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 6 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 15 stitches, 2 single crochet, two together into the remaining 4 stitches, turn. (54 stitches)

Chain 1.

Work 1 single crochet into the first 8 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 22 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the remaining 8 stitches. Don’t turn. (40 stitches)

Work 1 single crochet into the first 8 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 26 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the remaining 8 stitches. Don’t turn. (44 stitches)

Work 1 single crochet into the first 8 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 10 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 10 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the next 10 stitches, 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches, 1 single crochet into the remaining 8 stitches. Don’t turn. (50 stitches)

You will now attach the bottom, front corners of the hood together and work in joined rounds, to create the cowl. The chains at the start of the rounds don’t count in the stitch numbers. However, the chains worked during some of the rounds, do count, where indicated.

Following straight on, from the last row made of the hood edging, Chain 8. Chain 8. Chain 10. Then slip stitch, straight across, into the bottom stitch of the edging on the other (left) side of the hood. This joins the bottom edges together.

Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet into the 3 row ends, from the border. Then continue working along the bottom edge, (the underside of the starting chain) of the rest of the hood, as follows: Chain 1, Skip 1 stitch. 1 single crochet into the next stitch. Repeat this pattern, around, until you reach the border, on the other side. (The chains worked through the round, count as stitches here). (48 stitches, 58 stitches, 68 stitches). Work 1 single crochet into the 3 row ends, then continue, working 1 single crochet into the 8, 8, 10 chains that join the front of the hood. Slip stitch into the top of the chain 1, (or the first stitch) at the start of the round. (62 stitches, 72 stitches, 84 stitches)

Tip – While it is usual to slip stitch into the top of the chains, to join rounds. We find that you get a neater, less obvious join, if you slip stitch, into the first stitch of the round instead. Also try to keep the tension quite tight, as you work the join. If you decide to join like this, make sure that you work the first stitch of the next round, into the same stitch that you worked the joining slip stitch. Otherwise, your stitch count will reduce.

Working in the single crochets and chain 1 spaces, from the previous round: chain 1.

Work 1 single crochet into the first 14 stitches. Then 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches and 1 single crochet into the 2 stitches following. Repeat this pattern, (starting with the single crochet two together) 6 times in total. Finish the round by working 1 single crochet into the remaining 24 stitches. Slip stitch to join and turn. (56 stitches)

Work 1 single crochet into the first 17 stitches. Then 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches and 1 single crochet into the 2 stitches following. Repeat this pattern, (starting with the single crochet two together) 7 times in total. Finish the round by working 1 single crochet into the remaining 27 stitches. Slip stitch to join and turn. (65 stitches)

Work 1 single crochet into the first 20 stitches. Then 1 single crochet, two together into the next 2 stitches and 1 single crochet into the 2 stitches following. Repeat this pattern, (starting with the single crochet two together) 9 times in total. Finish the round by working 1 single crochet into the remaining 28 stitches. Slip stitch to join and turn. (75 stitches)

This round will have tapered the hood in, around the back of the neck.

Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet into each stitch of the round. Slip stitch to join. (56 stitches, 65 stitches, 75 stitches)

Change color to light brown. To do this, cut the working yarn, (leaving a tail to weave in later). Put a slip knot of the new yarn onto the end of your hook. Slip the new yarn through the loop already on your hook and pull the cut end of the old yarn to tighten.

Chain 2. Work 1 half double crochet into each stitch of the round. Slip stitch to join. (56 stitches, 65 stitches, 75 stitches)

Chain 2. Work 1 half double crochet into the first stitch, chain 1, and skip a stitch. Repeat this pattern around and slip stitch to join. (The chains worked through this round are counted as stitches). (56 stitches, 65 stitches, 75 stitches).

Change color to mid brown, (as in step 2.5). Chain 2. Work 1 half double crochet into the first stitch, chain 1 and skip a stitch (Again, the chains count as stitches here). Repeat this pattern around and slip stitch to join. Make sure that you are working the half double crochets into the chain 1 spaces, from the previous round. (56 stitches, 65 stitches, 75 stitches)

Repeat step 2.8 for 2 more rounds. (56 stitches, 65 stitches, 75 stitches per round)

Change color to light brown, (as in step 2.5). Repeat step 2.8 for 1 round. (56 stitches, 65 stitches, 75 stitches)

Change color to mid brown, (as in step 2.5). Chain 2. Work 1 half double crochet into each stitch around. Work into the half double crochets and the chain spaces, from the previous round. Slip stitch to join. (56 stitches, 65 stitches, 75 stitches)

Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet into each stitch of the round. Slip stitch to join. (56 stitches, 65 stitches, 75 stitches)

Finish off. Weave all the tails ends into the inside of the hood and cowl.

These are made in joined rounds and the pattern is the same for all sizes. As before, you may wish to join the rounds, by slip stitching into the first stitch of the round, instead of the chain 1 at the start. (see tip in step 2.2)

With the light brown yarn, make a magic ring.

Work 6 single crochets into the ring. Pull the yarn tail, to close the ring. Then slip stitch, to join the round. (6 stitches)

Chain 1. Work 2 single crochets into each stitch around and slip stitch to join. (12 stitches)

Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet into the first stitch, then 2 single crochets into the next stitch. Repeat 6 times in total. Slip stitch to join. (18 stitches)

Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet into the first 2 stitches, then 2 single crochets into the 3rd stitch. Repeat this pattern 5 times in total, then work 1 slip stitch into the remaining 4 stitches. Slip stitch to join. (24 stitches)

Tip – when working slip stitches as part of a round, it is advisable to keep these stitches quite loose. You will be working into them in the next round and this is much more difficult, if the stitches are tight.

Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet into the first 3 stitches, then 2 single crochets into the 4th stitch. Repeat this pattern 5 times in total, then work 1 slip stitch into the remaining 5 stitches. Slip stitch to join. (30 stitches)

Chain 2. Work 1 half double crochet into the first 25 stitches and turn. (25 stitches)

Change color to mid brown, (as in step 2.5). Leave a tail of around 20 inches of the light brown yarn. Chain 1. Work 1 single crochet through the back loop, into the half double crochet stitches, from the previous row. (25 stitches)

Finish off. Weave the tail ends, into the back of the ear, (all except the long one).

The drawstring is optional, but is helpful to hold the hood on, around the face. If you decide to add the drawstring, it can be left untied, as a decorative element, when not in use. Or even removed and re-inserted later, if required.

Measure and cut, 3 lengths of mid brown yarn, measuring 40 inches. 45 inches. 50 inches. You can make this longer or shorter to suit your requirements.

Knot all 3 strands together, at one end.

Braid the strands, starting at the knot, and working down the entire length of the yarn. Tie a knot at the bottom end.

Tip – It will help to keep an even tension in your braid, if you can weigh down the top end with something heavy, while you work.

Trim the loose ends to neaten.

Most of the project is made as one piece, so only a little assembly is needed here.

Attaching the ears – Measure down from the central seam of the hood, (on one side) approximately 2 inches. Then measure from front to back, approximately 2.5 inches, starting where the main hood joins the edging. Position the top edge of an ear at this point. Make sure that it’s straight and pin in place. Repeat on the other side, for the second ear. Check that both ears look evenly spaced.

Beginning with either ear, thread your needle onto the tail left, after completing the crocheting.

Whipstitch, starting at either side, across the front edge of the ear, attaching it to the hood. Then sew along the back edge of the ear, in the same way.

Tie off the yarn, inside the hood and weave in the end.

Repeat steps 5.2 to 5.4, for the second ear.

Threading the drawstring – attach the large eyed wool needle (or safety pin) to one end of the drawstring. Starting at the bottom of the hood border, on either side, insert the needle, from the outside to the inside. Leaving a few inches of the braid, at the bottom, weave the drawstring in and out, every 2 stitches, between the second and third rows of the border, (that you made in steps 1.10 and 1.11). Continue around the hood, until you reach the opposite side.

Tip – As you are threading the drawstring, make sure that the braid lays flat and doesn’t twist, as you are weaving it through the stitches.

Remove the needle. Adjust the drawstring, so that the front tails are the same length. Do this, by moving some of the braid, through the stitches, to the opposite side, as needed.