Izzy Hat Tools by Babay Fay
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Have you tried the Izzy Hat Tools by Babay Fay? Do you think you’d like to try a set? Let me know in the comments!
[disclaimer]I received this set of Izzy Hat Tools from Babay Fay. The opinions expressed in this review are my own. This post includes affiliate links. If you purchase this product after you click on one of my affiliate links in the post, I will receive a small commission for referring you, at no additional cost to you. [/disclaimer]
Izzy Hat Tools by Babay Fay
The Izzy Hat Tools are a perfect product to have on-hand if you love to crochet hats. Whether you crochet hats for donating to the NICU at your local hospital, or for friends and family members you can use these templates to create hats in 16 different sizes. Best of all, you can do this with any yarn and hook you have on-hand.
Anyone who can crochet in rounds, can use these tools to make hats.
We start by working in rounds (using your chosen stitch), increasing the number of stitches equally on each round until the circle you have crocheted is the same size as the rounded edge of the template for your chosen head size.
To measure your crocheted circle, you pull the yarn end (the one you started your hat with) through the hole punched in the middle of the round-edge side of the template. This will align the circle on the rounded edge.
Once you reach this size, you will continue crocheting your hat, without increasing the number of stitches in each round. So, for example, if you have 36 stitches when your circles match up, you will continue crocheting 36 stitches for every round you work from this point on.
You will crochet even (the same number of stitches per round) until your hat height measures the height from the top of the rounded curve of the template to the bottom straight edge (beneath the number punched into the template card). This is the minimum hat height recommended for the head size. You can always make it longer and fold it up, or wear it as a slouch hat if you want to 🙂 but be sure you crochet until you reach this height.
Your finished hat should not be as narrow as the template. Included in the package is a chart indicating the approximate head circumferences for each template card. To measure your hat when you are done simply put it on a flat surface and measure the width across the bottom edge of your hat (where the forehead will go). This measurement multiplied by 2 will give you the approximate circumference of the hat. You do need to note that hats will always stretch so it is ok if your hat is 1-2 inches smaller than the measurement on the chart. The measurement on the chart is the approximate head circumference, not the hat circumference.
Sometimes, the yarn, hook and stitch you choose to crochet with may not allow your circle to match up exactly. Included in the package you receive with your templates are instructions on how to handle this type of discrepancy. The package also includes a basic written pattern you can work from which will teach you how to increase from your initial magic ring round, to the round where your flat circle matches up to the edge of the template.
I sat down and crocheted 2 hats using the templates today. First I made a simple double crochet hat with standard increases.
I loved being able to just sit down and crochet – without a piece of paper and a pen, a calculator, a ruler and my measurements. So I decided to watch a little more of the Discovery Channel Show I’m currently hooked on (Cooper’s Treasure) and made hat number 2.
A note about the Flat Circle (see above image). It needs to by flat. This means if your circle is curving up like a cup, or rippling outward and wavy, your circle is not flat enough. If it is curving like a cup, you don’t have enough stitches in your hat circumference. If it is wavy that means you have too many stitches in your circumference.
Crochet standards general advise that if you are working single crochet stitches, begin with 6 stitches in your magic ring. If you are working with half double crochet stitches, begin with 8 stitches in your magic ring. If you are working with double crochet stitches, begin with 12 stitches in your magic ring and if you are working with triple crochet stitches, begin with 18 stitches in your magic ring. This number will vary slightly by yarn weight and hook choice but these standard numbers will give you a place to start at when you try these great templates!
I let myself just crochet Hat #2. I started with half double crochet stitches, then I moved to double crochet stitches for a few rounds. I know my gauge is pretty similar for stitches per inch on my basic stitches, other than the height of the stitches, so I felt pretty safe to have fun with this one. I moved back to half double crochet stitches and front post half double crochet stitches for the brim of the hat. It measures up perfectly for the 3 to 6 month size I was working on – a little gift for my neighbor’s baby.
Once you know how to work basic increases to reach your flat circle diameter, these templates make crocheting hats simple. They are an easy and convenient size to pack and take with you on-the-go. You still need to keep your stitches the same size as you make your project, but you do not need to match up to anyone else’s (the Designer’s) gauge. You can just crochet with the yarn and hook of your choice, until your project matches shape and height of the hat template you want to make.
The Izzy Hat Templates can be purchased as either a Baby and Toddler Set, or as a Grown Up Set.
Baby and Toddler Set
Preemies, Babies and Toddlers
- Preemie >2 pounds
- Preemie 2 to 3 pounds
- Preemie 3 to 4 pounds
- Preemie 4 to 5 pounds
- Preemie 5 to 6 pounds
- 0 to 3 months
- 3 to 6 months
- 6 to 9 months
- 9 to 12 months
- 1 to 3 years
Grown Up Set
Children and Adults
- 3 to 10 years
- 10 to 14 years
- Small Adult
- Medium Adult
- Large Adult
- XL Adult
You can also purchase a Full Set which includes all 16 templates if you make hats for all ages.
https://www.facebook.com/babayfay/videos/1639958642743281/UzpfSTg4NTc3OTU1MTQ5NDUzMToyMDMxOTQxODUwMjExNjIz/
These templates work. They do exactly what they are meant to do and they guide you to the correct size hat with any yarn and hook combination. They also allow you to sit back, relax and just crochet.
You can purchase your own set of Babay Fay Izzy Hat Tools on Etsy.
Grown up Kit – Crochet Hat Template – From 3yrs old adult to XL – Set B
For more information about Babay Fay – visit her on Facebook or on Instagram.
@babayfay
I think these would be a great tool to have for one that makes a bunch of hats for selling when you don’t know the head size of the recipient. These are something I could really use and might add to my supplies.
Thank you for your review. You always encourage me!
I love these and really need to get them. Thank you for your review!
i love the idea that once and for all i can get the correct size without trail and error [ or mostly error!!!]
How neat these are! I love making hats. I have my favs but new patterns sometimes take getting used to.
Hi Ruth, If you are working a hat in rounds and are familiar with the standard increases we use when making hats, you could work your rounds until your flat circle diameter reaches the measurement needed for the preemie size hat you want to make. Here’s an example:
Round 1 in a magic ring work 12 dc
Round 2 would be 2 dc in each dc around
Round 3 would be *2 dc in the first dc, 1 dc in the next dc** Rep * to ** around (increase by 12 on this round)
Round 4 would be *2 dc in the first dc, 1 dc in each of the next 2 dc**. Rep from * to ** around (increases by 12)
Round 5 would be *2 dc in the first dc, 1 dc in each of the next 3 dc**. Rep from * to ** around (increases by 12)…and each round would change that last number by 1 more so Round 6 it would *2 dc in the first dc, 1 dc in each of the next 4 dc** and so on …
You would work in this way until the diameter across the circle is 3.50 inches (measure across the center of the circle from edge to edge). Once you have reached 3.50 inches you would work 1 dc in each dc around until the hat height measures approximately 4 to 4.5 inches (4 inches is to the top of the earlobe, 4.5 inches is to the middle of the earlobe). 5 inches will give you a foldable brim.
The 3.5 inches for the flat circle diameter will give you a finished hat circumference of 11 inches and this should stretch to 12 inches (depending on the fiber you are working with).
Hope this helps! Rhondda
Love your patterns! Have a question, how can I adapt your basic preemie hat to use a No. 1 yarn? I am in my 80s and just starting to crochet.