Ruby Lace Hat & Scarf in West Yorkshire Spinners - WYS1000284/ DFP0037 - Downloadable PDF

Ruby Beginner Lace Hat & Scarf by Anna Nikipirowicz – Crochet Pattern Summary

The Ruby Beginner Lace Hat & Scarf is a free, downloadable crochet pattern designed by Anna Nikipirowicz for West Yorkshire Spinners (pattern reference WYS1000284 / DFP0037). The collection includes two coordinating accessories — a crocheted lace hat and a crocheted lace cowl/scarf — both designed with beginners firmly in mind. Despite their elegant, lacy appearance, both pieces are achievable for those who are new to crochet, making this pattern an ideal starting point for anyone looking to build confidence while creating stylish, wearable accessories.

What Is Being Made

The Ruby Lace Hat

The hat is a crocheted accessory worked in the round, featuring an open lace structure that gives it a light, decorative finish despite being made in a super chunky weight yarn. The combination of chunky yarn and lace construction creates a piece that is both warm and visually striking. Anna Nikipirowicz has provided a dedicated tutorial video for the hat, accessible via QR code or the West Yorkshire Spinners YouTube channel (@westyorkshirespinners).

The Ruby Lace Cowl/Scarf

The second design in the Ruby collection is a lace cowl or scarf, also worked in crochet and sharing the same lace aesthetic as the hat. Like the hat, it benefits from a dedicated tutorial video by Anna Nikipirowicz. Together, the hat and cowl form a cohesive, coordinating set that showcases how lace crochet techniques can be applied beautifully even at a super chunky yarn weight.

Techniques and Construction

Both designs are worked using crochet as the primary craft. Key construction techniques include:

• Working in the round (rnd) — both pieces are constructed circularly, which is a fundamental technique for hat and cowl making and eliminates the need for seaming.
• Back Loop Only (BLO) crochet — working into the back loop only of a stitch creates a distinctive ribbed or textured effect, adding visual interest and structure to the fabric.
• Lace construction using V-stitches — the signature lace pattern is built around V-stitches (V-sts), which are defined in the pattern as either (1 double crochet, 2 chain, 1 half treble) or (1 half treble, 2 chain, 1 double crochet) all worked into the same stitch or chain space. This creates the characteristic open, airy lace effect.
• Chain spaces (ch-sp) — chain spaces are integral to the lace pattern, forming the open gaps that give the fabric its delicate appearance.
• Longer repeat sequences — the pattern uses asterisk notation to indicate repeating stitch sequences, a standard crochet convention that helps build the rhythmic lace pattern efficiently.

Stitches Used

The pattern is written in UK crochet terminology with US equivalents provided throughout. The stitches featured include:

• Chain (ch) — the foundational stitch used to begin work and create chain spaces within the lace pattern.
• Slip stitch (sl-st / US ss) — used to join rounds and move yarn to new positions without adding height.
• Double crochet (dc / US single crochet) — a short, dense stitch that anchors the lace structure.
• Half treble (htr / US half double crochet) — a mid-height stitch used within the V-stitch construction to create the lace motifs.
• Treble (tr / US double crochet) — a taller stitch that adds height and openness to the fabric where required.
• V-stitch (V-st) — a combination stitch forming the central decorative element of the lace pattern, worked as a cluster of stitches and chains into a single point.

Materials

Both the hat and the cowl/scarf are designed to be made using a super chunky weight yarn, as specified in the pattern attributes. The pattern is published by