Gingerbread All-In-One Hat & Neckwarmer...

After spending days lying in bed, I finally had to do something creative with my hands and came up with this design.  It's cute, efficient, requires minimal yarn and so versatile.

This project works up fairly quickly.  3-in-1:
1.  It's a Gingerbread Messy Bun/Ponytail Hat;
2.  Close the top and it's a Gingerbread Hat;
3.  Open the top and button around your neck for a Gingerbread Neckwarmer.

Gingerbread All-In-One Hat & Neckwarmer Pattern

Size:  3 months - Adult

Gauge:  6 HDC st x 5 rows = 2"

Materials:
--5.5mm hook
--#4 Red Heart Super Saver Yarn in Cafe Latte, Red and White (approx 60 - 80 yds) - yardage will vary slightly depending on the size you are making
-(5) 1/2" holiday buttons (I bought mine at Hobby Lobby)
--tapestry needle for weaving

U.S. Stitch Abbreviations:
Ch:  chain
Sl st:  slip stitch
St:  stitch(es)
SC:  single crochet
SC2tog:  single crochet 2 stitches together (creates a decrease)
HDC:  half double crochet
FHDC:  foundation half double crochet
DC:  double crochet
Rep:  repeat
FO:  fasten off

Special Note:  you will be making a rectangle-shaped piece.

Special Stitch:
FHDC:  this creates the chain and stitch at the same time and is easy to achieve.
1.  Start with a chain 3.
2.  Yarn over and insert hook into the 3rd ch from the hook.  Yarn over and pull through the first loop on the hook.  You will have 3 loops on your hook.
3.  Yarn over and pull through the 1st loop on the hook - this creates the chain stitch.
4.  Yarn over and pull through 3 loops - this creates the HDC stitch.
5.  Now continue making HDC stitches.  Yarn over and insert hook into the chain stitch created in step #3.  Repeat steps 3-5 to continue making the chain and HDC stitches,

Directions:
Adult (21" head circumference):
1.  With Cafe Latte, FHDC 51.  Or you can ch 52.  HDC into 2nd ch from hook and across.  Ch1 and turn.  (51)
2.  1 HDC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (51)
3-11.  Rep #2.  (51)
12.  1 HDC in each st across.  FO and weave ends.  (51)
13.  Join white yarn and Ch1.  1 SC in each of the first 3 st.  1 HDC in each of the next 3 st.  1 DC in each of the next 3 st.  Rep this pattern across.  FO and weave ends.  (51)
14.  Re-join Cafe Latte, 1 HDC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn. (51)
15.  1 HDC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (51)
16.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next st.  Rep across.  Ch1 and turn.  (34)
17.  SC2tog, 1 SC in next 2 st.  Rep across ending with SC2tog.  FO and weave ends.  (25)

Border:
1.  Now, you will join red yarn in the first base chain of Row 1 and Ch1.  1 HDC in each base ch across.  Ch1 and turn.  (51)
2.  1 HDC in each st across.  FO and weave ends.  (51)
3.  Join white yarn and Ch1.  1 SC in each of the first 3 st.  1 HDC in each of the next 3 st.  1 DC in each of the next 3 st.  Rep this pattern across.  FO and weave ends.  (51)
4.  Re-join red yarn 1 HDC in each st across.  Ch1 and turn.  (51)
5.  1 HDC in each st across.  FO and weave ends.  (51)
6.  Re-join white yarn, 1 SC in each st across.  FO and weave ends.  (51)

Button Placement:
1.  Attach 5 buttons on one side of the vertical end, spacing them approximately 1 1/2" - 2" apart.

Strap:
1.  With red yarn, ch100.  FO and double knot each end to secure.
2.  Using your tapestry needle, weave the strap in and out of Row 16.

Alternate Sizes:
Pre-teen/Teen Size (20" head circumference):
1.  49 FHDC.
2.  Repeat pattern as above.
*Note:  the last 2 rows for the top of the hat will work as follows:
1.  SC2tog, SC next st.  Rep across, ending with 1 SC in each of the last 2 st.  (33)
2.  SC2tog, SC in next 2 st.  Rep across, ending with 1 SC in each of the last 3 st.  (25)

Toddler/Kid (18" head circumference):
1.  45 FHDC.
2.  Repeat as above, except omit Rows 11 and 12 and then continue with pattern as above.
*Note:  the last 2 rows for the top of the hat will work as follows:
1.  SC2tog, SC next st.  Rep across.  (30)
2.  SC2tog, SC in next 2 st.  Rep across, ending with SC2tog.  (22)

6-12 Month Size (16" head circumference):
1.  41 FHDC.
2.  Repeat as above, except omit Rows 10 thru 12 and then continue with pattern as above.
*Note:  the last 2 rows for the top of the hat will work as follows:
1.  SC2tog, SC next st.  Rep across, ending with SC2tog.  (27)
2.  SC2tog, SC in next 2 st.  Rep across, ending with 1 SC in Last st.  (20)

3-6 Month Size (14" head circumference):
1.  37 FHDC.
2.  Repeat as above, except omit Rows 9 thru 12 and then continue with pattern as above.
*Note:  the last 2 rows for the top of the hat will work as follows:
1.  SC2tog, SC next st.  Rep across, ending with 1 SC in each of the last 2 st.  (25)
2.  SC2tog, SC in next 2 st.  Rep across, ending with 1 SC in each of the last 3 st.  (19)

Assembly/Use:
1.  To use as a Messy Bun/Ponytail Hat:  pull strap but don't close completely and secure strap into a bow;

2.  To use as a Hat:  pull strap and close opening completely and secure strap into a bow;

3.  To use as a Neckwarmer:  leave top open and unbutton 1 or 2 buttons to pull over head and around neck.  Secure buttons and strap into a bow.

And, that's it!!!  Gingerbread All-In-One Hat & Neckwarmer....

Variations:
1.  Make in your favorite seasonal characters by color choices;
2.  Use a solid yarn for a basic version.

A few more pics:

Happy Crocheting...

Legal:
--don't claim my pattern as your own
--don't use my pics as your own
--okay to make and sale your finished work
--don't share my pattern electronically or in print format but provide a link to my blog