Fleece comes in a variety of novelty prints and colors, and is wonderful for creating funny patterns to make hats for your family. These hats serve the obvious purpose of providing warmth, but they are also great for showing team spirit or showing off a favorite color. Fleece is strong and the raw edges do not unravel, making these hats quick and easy to finish. Set aside a family craft night and have the kids participate in the creation of these funny fleece hats.
Beanie with Braids
Measure the circumference of your head and add 1 inch. Cut a piece of fleece for the hat, 12 inches wide by the circumference measurement (with the inch added). Cut 12 strips of fleece 3/4 inch wide by 24 inches long for the braids and four strips of fleece 1/2 inch wide by 10 inches long for the ties.
Stack three braid strips together and, starting 1/2 inch from one end, stitch all the way across. Back stitch to the center of the end, leave the presser foot down and insert your needle through the fabric. This will hold the strips while you braid them. Braid the strips until you are 5 inches from the free end. Tie a 10 inch strip around the bottom of the braid to hold it in place. Remove the braid from the sewing machine and repeat for the remaining strips to make a total of four braids. Stack the sewn ends together and hand sew the four braids together a 1/2 inch from the top of the sewn end.
Fold and match the 12-inch sides of the hat fleece, and pin with the right sides together. Sew the pinned edge using a 1/2 inch seam allowance. This will create a tube. Press a 1/2 inch under the opening edge on one end of the tube. Press under the edge another 1/2 inch and pin. Topstitch the pinned hem using a zigzag stitch. Repeat for the other end of the tube. Turn the hat tube right side out. Hand sew a running stitch along one zigzag hemmed edge. Pull the thread to gather the opening, and insert the sewn ends of the braids in the gathered opening. Cinch the opening closed and stitch to secure.
Ponytail Cap
Measure the circumference of your head and divide by two. Add an inch to that total. Cut a piece of fleece for the hat, using this measurement for the width and 24 inches for the length. Cut six strips of fleece 3/4 inch wide by 24 inches long for the braids and two strips of fleece 1/2 inch wide by 10 inches long for the ties.
Stack three braid strips together and stitch across one end a 1/2 inch from the end. Back stitch to the center of the braid end to hold. Remove the braid from the sewing machine and repeat for the remaining the end. Leave the presser foot of the sewing machine down and insert the needle through the fabric. This will hold the strips while you braid them. Braid the strips until you are 5 inches from the free end. Tie a 10 inch strip around strips to make a total of two braids.
Lay the hat fleece on your work table with the right sides up. Find the center of each 24-inch side and pin the sewn ends of the braids to each center with the braids extending onto the hat fleece. Fold and match the circumference measured ends of the fleece, with the right sides together, sandwiching the braids in between. The folded edge is the top of the hat and the opposite end will remain open for the brim of the hat. Pin the sides and sew a 1/2 inch seam allowance, securing the braids as you sew.
Press 1/2 inch under the open brim of the hat. Press under the brim another 1/2 inch and pin. Top stitch the pinned hem using a zigzag stitch. Turn the hat right side out.
