Pixie Hat Tutorial - Free Pattern

I found a free pattern and had to completely modify it to get this hat.  I think it turned out pretty good, so I will share it. Please comment if you use this pattern, I would like to know how it turns out for you.

Abbr.: chain = ch, slip stitch = slst, double crochet = dc, stitch = st, double crochet decrease = dc/dec

dc/dec: this will take two stitches and decrease it down to 1, yarn over, go through first st, yarn over and pull back through that stitch, you will have 3 loops on the hook, now yarn over and pull through two loops, you will now have 2 loops on the hook, yarn over and go through the second stitch, yarn over and pull through that stitch, you will have 4 loops on the hook, yarn over and pull through two loops, then yarn over and pull through the remaining 3 loops to finish the dc/dec. (see pic)

Example of a dc/dec, it is the stitch on the top left

Note: when counting the stitches in a row, the ch 3 is counted as 1 stitch and a dc/dec counts as one stitch

Pixie Hat
Size: about 12-16 months, it stretches to fit my 16 month old, but she is a little peanut.

Hook and Yarn: I am using Baby Bee Hushabye yarn and an 8/5.00mm hook.

Start by making a large slipknot, you will crochet onto this and then pull it tight to cinch up the top point of the hat.

Row 1: in the slipknot, ch3 (this is the 1st dc), 8 dc around and join with a slst (9 st)
             Close the slipknot by pulling on the end of the yarn.
Row 2: ch 3, 8 dc, join with a slst (9 st)
Row 3: ch 3, dc in the same st as ch3, 2 dc in each remaining st and join with a slst. (18 st)
Row 4: ch 3, 17 dc, join with slst (18 st)
Row 5: ch 3, 1 dc same stitch as ch 3, 1dc in next st, *2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 st, repeat from * around and join with a slst (27 st)   [updated 8-25-11]
Row 6: ch 3, 2 dc, * 2 dc in next st, 3 dc, repeat from * around and join with a slst {33 st}
Row 7: ch 3, 3 dc, * 2 dc in next st, 4 dc, repeat from * around and join with a slst {39 st}
Row 8: ch 3, 4 dc, * 2 dc in next st, 5 dc, repeat from * around and join with a slst {45 st}
Row 9 -12 : ch 3, 44 dc, join with a slst. {45 st in each row}
Row 13: ch 3, dc/dec, 39 dc, dc/dec, 1 dc, join with a slst {43 st} [updated 28-26-11]
Row 14: ch 3, 42 dc, join with a slst and break off, weave end in {43 st}
Row 15: the ch 3 stitch will be the center of the back of the hat, starting from that stitch, count 14 stitches to ones side or the other, do not count the center ch 3 stitch, start at this point and dc 29 from one side around the back to the other side, double check that your 15th stitch when counting from eihter side is the center ch 3 stitch and make sure you have 14 stitches in the front of the hat that you have not crocheted in, turn work {29 st} [the second hat I made I did 12 stitches across the front instead of 14]
Row 16: ch 3, dc/dec, 23 dc, dc/dec, 1 dc, turn work {27 st}
Row 17: ch 3, dc/dec, 2 dc, dc/dec, 2 dc, dc/dec, 5 dc, dc/dec, 2 dc, dc/dec, 2dc, dc/dec, 1dc, turn work {21 st} note: the 5 st should be centered in the back of the hat
Row 18: ch 3 dc/dec, 18 dc, turn work {20 st}

note: this following is the chin strap and you can make it as short or as long as you want, or you can end the hat at row 18 if you don't want a chin strap.

Row 19-30: ch 3, 2 dc, turn work {3 st} [the second hat I made I only did up to row 29 and then the row of sc]
Row 31: ch 1, 2 sc, end work and weave in tail to finish

sew a button onto the lower front corner of the side of the hat opposite of the chin strap, make sure the button just fits through one of the dc spaces

Pixie hat