There’s something extra satisfying about giving a well-loved pattern a fresh new life – and today, I’m so excited to share a little crochet glow-up with you.

I know it’s completely the wrong time of year for cosy hats, especially with the UK currently feeling more like a heatwave (for some days) than hat weather, but sometimes you just have to ignore the seasons a little if you want to get a pattern out into the world!

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The Bloom and Grow Beanie is made for those special skeins you’ve been saving: that beautifully variegated, hand-dyed yarn that deserves to shine. It’s also a chance to play with something a bit different, as I tried adding embroidery onto crochet for a truly unique finish. Whether you’re diving into your stash or trying a new technique for the first time, this project is all about experimentation, creativity and colour.

This design first appeared in Crochet Now, Issue 115, as part of the Stash-Busting Style Supplement, but when the pattern rights made their way back to me, I couldn’t resist the urge to see it through fresh eyes. I’ve always believed a simple change of yarn can completely transform a project, so I set out to rework it and discover how it might ‘bloom’ into something new (see what I did there).

As it turned out, the timing couldn’t have been better. My crochet designer friend Fay (Fay DH Designs) and I were gearing up for the second round of our annual creative challenge – a tradition I’ve come to love. At the start of each year, we either choose a shared design concept or a specific yarn type, then we each put our own spin on it by creating or reimagining a pattern. It’s always such a fun way to stretch our creativity. Last year was the year of the ‘scarf’ when Fay created her stunning design, One Way or Another and I came up with the Janus keyhole scarf.

This year, we began with the same starting point: a truly stunning variegated yarn from RiverKnits. Rich with shifting shades of purples, mauves, greens, rusty orange, navy, and teal, it’s one of those colourways that feels almost too beautiful to use – yet impossible to resist. Part of their Wonky Veg Autumn/Winter ’25 collection, the shade is called Best In Show – Nene DK, and it’s every bit as delightful as it sounds.

Made from 100% Blue-faced Leicester British wool (100g / 233m), and both spun and dyed in Britain, it has a beautifully high twist that makes it an absolute dream to crochet with. The stitch definition, the bounce, the way the colours play together, was just going to be perfect for my glow up purposes.

Fay also reworked one of her designs, the Halo Cowl, which really made the variegated yarn sing, (and it looks gorgeous) and I remade my Bloom and Grow Beanie.

Bloom and Grow Beanie

The original version of this hat was made using 100g of Symfonie Yarn by KnitPro, with both the hat itself and the embroidered details worked in the same yarn. All of those original instructions, including how to create the hat and add the delicate embroidered flowers around the brim, are still included in the pattern.

But I couldn’t help wondering how it might transform when reimagined in hand-dyed yarn, with all those rich, shifting colours. And I absolutely love how it turned out! I think the hat definitely shines with a heavily variegated skein, letting every twist of colour come alive, but it also works beautifully in a semi-solid yarn for a more subtle, sophisticated look.

I made one version with the Riverknits yarn and it has quickly become my new go-to winter hat. I also made another beanie as a sample to showcase at yarn shows using a beautiful variegated blue Hook&Cwtch Deluxe DK (Shade: Georg Hoffman, 225m/100g, 85% superwash merino and 15% nylon). It’s been the perfect design for using up some single DK skeins in my stash – and I’m sure I’ll make another in the future.

Pattern Links

The pattern is very beginner-friendly, if you’re familiar with basic crochet stitches you should have no trouble following along and creating a hat you’ll be proud of!

❤️ SAVE BLOOM AND GROW BEANIE ON RAVELRY ❤️

The crochet Bloom and Grow Beanie pattern in now available for purchase from usual pattern platforms.

The Bloom and Grow Beanie is also available as a physical printed pattern from my Etsy shop here.

If you like the Bloom and Grow Hat you may also like these other floral themed patterns…

I can’t wait to see how your own Bloom and Grow Beanie turns out, grab the pattern, pick your favourite yarn, and let your creativity bloom stitch by stitch!

Until next time folks! Happy hooking, keep calm and crochet on my friends xx

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