My favorite from last year: ribbon yarn and a pattern for an adjustable crown

Recently, ribbon yarn has become my very special favorite.

Why ribbon yarn?

The wide structure of ribbon yarn makes it incredibly easy to work with. This is especially pleasant when I'm crocheting casually, as it forgives small mistakes and allows me to see quick progress. I find this particularly nice as a mom, because I often have only short windows of time, and it's incredibly motivating to quickly see that I'm heading in the right direction. Another big advantage is that the projects I crochet with ribbon yarn naturally take on a very stable shape. This results in beautiful, durable pieces that not only look good but are also practical. Therefore, it is also suitable for projects where stability shouldn't be created with stuffing or other materials. In our crown project, the crown holds its shape very well and doesn't require any additional wire, which could pose a risk of injury if not properly incorporated.

The versatility of this yarn allows me to create not only pretty accessories but also practical items like baskets or toys. Moreover, the soft texture of ribbon yarn is much more pleasant to work with than, for example, macramé or cord yarn. I often feel that my hands get tired from working with those, which I haven't experienced with ribbon yarn.

I love developing creative projects for various occasions, and the different colors and textures of ribbon yarn constantly inspire me to new designs. I have a lot of fun trying out new color combinations and letting my creativity flow, and ribbon yarn is definitely my favorite for this.

Another aspect that makes ribbon yarn particularly attractive to me is the possibility of using it from recycled materials. This directly raises my environmental awareness and gives my projects a sustainable touch. It's nice to know that while crocheting, I'm not only being creative but also making a small contribution to the environment.

How do you find working with this yarn?

And now there’s a new project for you to try: an adjustable crown for birthday kids.

To show you how versatile ribbon yarn is, I’d like to share a simple pattern for an adjustable crown that will delight any birthday child.

What do you need?

- One ball of ribbon yarn in yellow
- Some cotton yarn in white
- Some cotton yarn in your child's favorite color (for our crown for my daughter Elena's birthday, it was red)
- A button—keeping in mind you'll need to create a buttonhole—or a piece of Velcro to sew on
- A crochet hook size 6 (for the crown)
- A crochet hook size 3 (for the number panel and the number)

A little tip beforehand: If you want the crown to be a bit more flexible or stretchy, you can crochet the first row with a few more chain stitches and simply skip those. It won’t be noticeable, but it will help the crown fit better at the bottom.

And here’s how to do it:

The crown is crocheted back and forth in rows, allowing for size adjustment and multiple uses.

Row 1: Crochet a chain of air stitches that is divisible by six and fits your child's head—I crocheted 48 plus a few extra (see tip).

Row 2: Make one chain stitch to start and then crochet one single crochet into each air stitch (48).

Row 3: From this row on, alternate between regular single crochets and deep single crochets to create the beautiful pattern of the crown.

To crochet deep single crochets, insert the hook under the single crochet of the previous row. 
 

Then pull the yarn through until you're at the same height as the normally crocheted single crochets. 

Repeat this until the end of the row. (48).

Row 4: Repest Row 3, ensuring that the deep single crochet is made over the stitch that was not a deep single crochet before (48). In this row, prepare the ribbon for closure and size adjustment. This means this row ends with a chain of six air stitches. Then turn.

Row 5: After the chain stitch, crochet six regular single crochets, then alternate between regular and deep single crochets again (54).

   **WARNING:** Make sure that the pattern continues normally. Each deep single crochet should be made over a regular single crochet.

Row 6: In this row, alternate between deep and regular single crochets at the beginning again. Only the last six single crochets should all be regular (54).

Row 7: This row is crocheted entirely with regular single crochets (54).

Row 8: In this row, crochet the little "diamonds," which are picot stitches added into the ongoing row and will end up in the center of the crown points—except for the center, where the circle with the number will go.

Start the row with three single crochets, followed by the first picot.

A picot is created simply by crocheting three air stitches and making a single crochet into the third air stitch from the hook.

*Then continue crocheting six single crochets without skipping any stitches from the previous row; then another picot stitch.* Repeat from * to * once.

Crochet 18 single crochets and then another picot stitch.

*Crochet six single crochets and a picot stitch,* repeat from * to * once and finish the row with three single crochets (the closure part remains unworked) (48 + 6 picot stitches).

Row 9:To pick up the pattern again, alternate between high and low single crochets in this row. Important: Please ensure that all picot stitches stand in the same direction (forward), or they won't be visible in the end (48).

Row 10: Crochet 48 single crochets alternating high and low (48).

Row 11: Now crochet the crown points (eight in total for 48 stitches).

After the chain stitch, crochet one single crochet into the first stitch and then skip two stitches. *In the next stitch, crochet three double crochets.

This will form the tip that looks like it consists of three round pieces.

Continue the first point with three double crochets in the same stitch where the first three already are. Then skip two stitches and finish in the next stitch with one single crochet (this forms the end of the first point and the beginning of the next one).*

Repeat from * to * seven more times until the end of this row (57 + 8 points).

Weave in all ends, attach a Velcro closure, and the crown is ready.

Then I crocheted a white circle from cotton in spiral rounds:

Round 1: Six single crochets in a magic ring (6).
Round 2: Double each stitch (12).
Round 3: Double every second stitch (18).
Round 4: Double every third stitch (24).
Round 5: Double every fourth stitch (30).
Round 6: Double every fifth stitch (36).
Round 7: Double every sixth stitch (42).
Round 8: Double every seventh stitch (48).

And I crocheted a "2" in red cotton:

Row 1: Crochet a chain of 24 air stitches.
Row 2: Make a turning chain, then crochet five single crochets into five air stitches. 
   
Crochet the next three air stitches with single crochets that will be joined together.
   

Then crochet ten single crochets normally into the next ten air stitches.
   

In the next three stitches, crochet two single crochets each.
   

Finally, crochet one single crochet into each of the last stitches (25).

Then everything is crocheted with slip stitches around.

Finally, attach the number sign to the crown, and everything is connected with love.