Mountain Man Beard Hat

I have made a couple of beard hats, one a viking type hat, the other an elf, but wanted to do something a little more woodsy since we just got back from a mission trip to Alaska.  This one is of a little thicker yarn so it makes up pretty quick and will be a little warmer.  The beard is made in HDC then you go back over the base HDC posts on each stitch and make chain loops to give it a burly look.

For this I used Serenity Chunky Weight Yarn in Dark Forest for the hat
size K or 6.5mm hook

To start the hat make a magic loop or chain 4 and make a loop, then ch 1.

Round 1:  10 HDC in the loop, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1. (10 HDC)
Round 2:  make 2 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.(20 HDC)
Round 3:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.  (30 HDC)
Round 4:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next 4 sts, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.  (36 HDC)
Round 5:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next 5 sts, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.  (42 HDC)
Round 6:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next 6 sts, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.
(48 HDC)
Round 7:  2 HDC in the first st, 1 HDC in the next 7 sts, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.
(56 HDC)
Rounds 8-16:  1 HDC in each st around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.  (56 HDC)
Rounds 17-19: 1 SC in the first st, 1 DC in the post of the next st, repeat around, sl st to the top of the first st, ch 1.
at the end of row 19 tie off and weave in the end.

For the beard I used Lion Brand Vanna's Choice Yarn in Chocolate, and a size I hook.  You will need to know how to do HDCD (half double crochet decrease) stitches for this.  The beard will curve nicely around the chin to keep it nice and warm.
To start chain 31.
Row 1:  1 HDC in the second ch from the hook and then 1 HDC in each stitch across, ch 1 and turn. (30 HDC)
Row 2:   1 HDC in each st across, ch 1 and turn.  (30 HDC)
Row 3:  1 HDC in the first 9 sts, 2 HDC in the next st, 1 HDC in the next 9 sts, 2 HDC in the next st, 1 HDC in the last 10 sts, ch 1 turn.  (32 HDC)
Row 4:  1 HDC in each st across.  (32 HDC)
Row 5:  HDCD in the first 2 sts, 1 HDC in the next 8 sts, HDCD in the next two sts, 1 HDC in the next 8 sts, HDCD in the next 2 sts, 1 HDC in the next 8 sts, HDCD in the last two sts, ch 2 and turn. (28 HDC)
Row 6:  1 HDC in each st across.
Row 7:  HDCD in the first 2 sts, HDC in the next 7 sts, HDCD in the next 2 sts, HDC in the next 6 sts, HDCD in the next 2 sts, HDC in the next 7 sts, HDCD in the last 2 sts. ch 1

Now is the fun part, giving the beard some loops.  I used ch 6 loops, but if you want a longer beard you can chain 8 or more to get the length you like.  You will be working backwards back up the beard.  To start you sl st to the end HDC post of row 7 and then ch 6, sl st to the next post, repeat across for your first row of chain loops, then ch 1 and begin on the next row above.  After you have your 7 rows of chain loops you can add a mustache if you would like.  I folded the beard in half to make it even and counted down 8 stitches from each end, attach your yarn and chain 8 and sl st to the other side 8 stitches from the edge.  Chain 1 and sl st just above the ch into the main part of the beard and then sc across the chain, (8 SC) sl st just above the chain in the beard, then ch 4 and sl st to the next st, repeat this across the mustache making smaller chain loops, and when you get across to the other side turn and make 8 more ch loops across the bottom of the mustache.  Weave in your loose ends and attach the beard to the hat.