Beginners Crochet: Baby Elf Hats

Over the past couple of weeks I have been attempting to teach myself to crochet.  I've tried three different infant hat patterns, and I think that I've finally ended up with something that would fit an infant (by the way I'm lazy with gauging).

Source: oodles-4-noodles.com via Tricia on Pinterest

I used this pattern from Oodles-4-Noodles

It was fairly straight forward.  This was my first time working with multiple yarn colors, my first time making a pom pom, using a magic ring, and fdc in the post.  Thankfully, there are a huge amount of video tutorials available to help me work my way through new patterns.

I love following patterns, because I find that I am forced to try new techniques.  It is a great way to expand your knowledge of something.

 I decided to go ahead and make two hats.  One for a boy, and one for a girl.  You can tell that my tension changes a bit from one hat to the other. They aren't perfect, but I'm still going to call them successful.

Any recommendations for beginner crochet patterns/projects, preferably free?  I'd love to know what you recommend.