Columns and Fans Hat – Crochet Pattern Review – Sunshine Charlotte Designs

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I volunteered to pattern test this Columns and Fans Hat pattern for Ellen of Sunshine Charlotte Designs, back in October of last year (2017). I was holding onto the review until now because I thought the colors were more appropriate for Winter, and I try to keep it seasonal on the blog.

Before we get into the review, here’s another hat pattern I really love from Sunshine Charlotte Designs – the December Hat. It combines a ribbed brim, with some fun texture created by working into the back loop only, and then a little in the body with occasional post stitch. Visually, I love it! And worked in bulky weight yarn, it’s another great Winter option!

Materials I Used:

• 140 Yards of Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn in the Gray Mist and Turquoise colorways
• J10/6mm Crochet Hook
• Tapestry Needle for Weaving in Ends, and Sewing Closed
• Columns and Fans Hat, Paid Crochet Paid from Sunshine Charlotte Designs

Material Notes:

Yarn Alternatives: Red Heart Soft used by Ellen in original hat design, Berroco’s Vintage Yarn.

Time Spent:

The adult medium took me just over an hour, and a half to complete.

Measurements:

The sizes available in pattern – I worked the Adult Medium sized to fit a head circumference of 20-22″ by 8″ tall.

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Pattern Notes:

I was able to meet gauge width the the J10/6mm crochet hook that I used. While I did not meet gauge height, the most important gauge to meet is width, and then the height can always be adjusted as you go.

The sizing chart is very thorough. I really like how it gives the different figures for added slouchiness, however, I found the numbers to be a little off. I believe the adult small size would be more appropriate for a toddler worked to a length of 6.5″ – 6.75″, the adult medium to be right on point for a child worked to a length of about 7″, or as an adult small for the 8″ length listed, and the last size for an adult large worked to a length of 8.5″ – 9.5″.

My brim measured 17.25″ at the end of row 70, which fit my head just perfectly, given that ribbing stretches 4″ (or more). This can easily be adjusted by adding or subtracting rows to the ribbing – just make sure you are still within a pattern multiple for the columns and fan stitch pattern.

I really liked the combination of the fans and the post stitches. The joining around the beginning chain stitch to make it a post stitch is genius, and helps hide the seam.

Because my gauge height was off, so was the ending. Rows 77 through 81 only added 1.75″ for me, so I just went through and added more repeats of the center section. I worked 87 total rows for an 8″ beanie.

In the end, the beanie really fit perfectly. My only concern is the bubbling through the body of the hat, even when worn. I believe this is because of the height difference of the top of the fan stitch versus the post stitches. I might adjust the fan stitch to have a variety of stitches here (like double crochet, half double crochet, single crochet, half double crochet, double crochet maybe) to give a more even row, and when I suggested this to Ellen, she added or treble crochets for the posts instead of doubles, but as is, the pattern works, and when worn, you can’t really tell.

Overall, fun pattern that uses stitch combinations I don’t normally pair together. I love the added texture of the post stitches too. Pattern is so clean, and organized, and easy to follow.

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