Viking or Dwarven Beard

Basic construction:

This pattern explains the process to make a beard that attaches to an already completed hat. We will begin by making the base which lies against the face when worn. From this base we will hang strands of yarn that make up the beard. On each side of the beard are two button holes which allow the beard to hang from your hat at different sizes.

Materials:
- 300+ yards of worsted weight yarn (recommend a thick worsted weight like I Love This Yarn! from Hobby Lobby or Red Heart With Love) - F hook (we use an F hook with worsted weight yarn because it makes smaller but more numerous stitches from which to hang strands of yarn
for the beard)

- Yarn threader - Two 1-inch buttons

Gauge:
5 rows of 7 HDC stitches = 1.5 x 1.5

Abbreviations used (US terms)

CH: chain SC: single crochet HDC: half double crochet SL ST: slip stich TR: triple crochet (aka treble crochet) ----------------------------------------------------------------------------

Beard base
CH 77 R1: In 2nd ch from hook, SC 76 across R2: CH 2, turn, HDC 1, [CH 2, skip 2 stitches, HDC] 2 times, HDC 23, SL ST 16 (pull tight), HDC 24, [CH 2, skip 2 stitches, HDC] 2 times R3: CH 1, turn, 2 SC in button hole, sk 1, 2 SC in next button hole, sk 1, SL ST 20, CH 4, 4 TR, CH 16, 5 TR R4: CH 2, turn, HDC 25, cut yarn leaving tail 19 inches long (it will hang with the beard strands) Weave in beginning tail

Beard Strands
Cut about 70 strands of yarn 24long. Make tassels along the top and bottom of the beard base using 3 strands of yarn for the top tassels and 2 for the bottom. Cut about 135 strands of yarn 38 long. Make tassels along the chin using 3 strands of yarn.
Tip: I found that my computer monitor was the perfect height and width to wrap my yarn around and cut both sizes of strands.

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Thin Braid
Grab thirty 38 strands and tie them together at the top with a matching piece of yarn. Use a heavy item (like a book) to steady the top of the strands while you braid. Separate the strands into 3 clumps of 10 strands of yarn and braid until you reach the end. Tie more matching yarn tightly at the bottom and top of the braid to keep it from coming un-braided. Cut the very first tie off.

Thicker Braid
Grab sixty 38 strands and use the same technique as making the thin braid. Separate the strands into 3 clumps of 20 strands of yarn to braid.

Attaching the Thin Braid

Grab your yarn threader and a matching strand of 50+ yarn to sew with. Line up your thin braid (using stitch markers or safety pins helps) and sew it on to the base. Pay attention and watch what youre doing so you dont pull it too tight where it bunches up the braid or too loose where the braid isnt secure. Sew one direction, then back to where you started and tie ends securely. Its fine to leave the tails hanging.

Attaching the Thick Braid

This is my least favorite part because its tedious. But its the focal point of the beard so it must be done! Add a secure tie to the thick braid about 8-9 from the top and remove the old top tie. Divide the yarn strands into two equal clumps. On one side, divide into two equal clumps again and using a crochet hook (a large one like an N is easiest), pull one clump through a treble stitch in the base. Now pull the other clump through an adjoining treble stitch. Repeat on the other side.

Look at the front of your beard and pull on the braid or yarn ends accordingly to achieve the proper position (refer to finished project photos for assistance). Carefully turn the beard over and begin tying the yarn ends to one another. Again, watch your tension so the front doesnt bunch up from being too tight or too loose. The photos below demonstrate if you can make out anything in all that orange :P

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Small Braid Rings (make two using same yarn used to make hat)
CH 8 (leave tail 6 inches long for tying) R1: In 2nd ch from hook, SC across R2: CH 1, SL ST across and pull tail through beginning ch loop, cut tail 6 inches long

Large Braid Rings (make two using same yarn used to make hat)
CH 15 (leave tail 6 inches long for tying) R1: In 3rd ch from hook, HDC across R2: CH 1, SL ST across and pull tail through beginning ch loop, cut tail 6 inches long Use the tails to tie the rings around the braids where you secured them earlier with ties, cut tails short.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------Sew your buttons on to your hat accordingly and attach the beard. Youre done!

Please feel free to send me a message via Ravelry (tangerine1126) or email (mrs_c1126@yahoo.com) if you have any questions/suggestions/etc. regarding the pattern. Thanks and I hope you enjoy!

The hat pictured is the Lael Viking Hat by Tara Murray, link: http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/lael-viking-helmet

Copyright Melissa Campbell

This pattern is free, please feel free to share it. Please do not copy it and claim it as your own. You are free to sell projects made from this pattern, all I ask is that you provide a link back to this pattern on Ravelry or back to my Etsy shop (etsy.com/shop/TotallyStitching). Much appreciated and enjoy!