How to Add Braids to Crochet or Knit Hat

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Have you seen the hats with these adorable braids on the side? I have made these for baby girl hats and baby boy hats and love them so much! It's such a simple technique that makes any hat look more professional! I am going to teach you how to add these side braids onto a crochet or knit hat.

SIDE BRAIDS (this is for a Newborn size hat) 

Use same concept for a bigger hat but just make the strands longer and add more pieces!

Use equal pieces – colors of your choice.

You will need to cut 12 pieces of yarn for each braid (so cut 24 total). I made mine about 12 inches long per strand but I would do it longer next time, I'd suggest doing at least 15 inch pieces and then trimming at the end if you think it's too long.

 Bunch the yarn pieces together and fold in half.

 Insert a larger hook into the side of hat (between 2 dcs in the last round) 

 Pull the yarn through there and then take the tails and pull through so that it makes a knot with the strands hanging down as shown in photo.

 Pull tight so that it looks like the picture above! Don't worry that they aren't all the same length, we will deal with that soon.

 Split into 3 equal pieces and braid! :)

Make a knot at the bottom of the braid! Pull it tight. Do the same on the other side. After you have done the braid on the OTHER side, level out the uneven strands of "hair" if you wish :)

Here are a couple hats I have made with the braids! 

You can download the Free Rapunzel Hat Pattern HERE.

You can download the Free Sock Monkey Pattern HERE.

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Patterns and Photos on this blog ©Katie Bekhazi, 2014. If you’d like to share, please share this link, but do not copy & paste, repost, or reprint the written pattern itself. You are welcome to print or download a copy from the PDF for personal use only. You can sell items made from this pattern, but please link to the pattern in your online listings and use your own photos to advertise your work. Do not claim or sell pattern as your own.

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