Crochet Top down Cable Beanie and Alternative to Faux Knit Brims

First, isn’t this yellow gorgeous? I admit I’m longing for spring/summer and this reminds me of sunny days.

In my last post on the blog I made an adult sized purple cabled beanie. I really enjoyed it on a few super cold and breezy days.

While I was making the purple beanie I thought I would prefer a top down cabled beanie. A ribbed brim takes forever (seemed like it anyway since I was eager to start cabling) plus not caring for cinched tops, it all seemed to make sense in my head.

As usual off to YouTube I go. I couldn’t find any top down cabled beanies that I cared for. Retraction: I did end up finding one but I was having a hard time following along. Also, there is another one on Ravelry I haven’t mastered yet so that’ll be in a later post.

Well now what do I do? Try to come up with my own, of course! So here’s what I know from the purple beanie: I was working with a total of 60 stitches. So I increased the yellow hat to 60 stitches followed by a round of 1 double crochet. Then I followed the regular cabled pattern as usual. Essentially they’re upside down cables but it worked and looked nice. So once I got as many cables as I wanted I needed to figure out how to get a faux knit look. I didn’t want to use the typical alternating of front post and back post. On YouTube though I found several tutorials that teach a method that looks just like if I had started with the brim. Here’s how it works: after slip stitching to join you chain up however wide you want the brim to be (I only did 5 chains since it was a child’s hat). Then you single crochet in the back loop only back down the chain. To anchor the brim you slip stitch into the next 2 stitches. Then work back up the back loops of the chain. It was much easier than I’m making it sound. The tutorial I recommend is from @tlyarncrafts.

So here’s what I think about working top down cables and the alternative faux knit brim: While top down works up much faster it’s worth taking the time to start with the brim and work your way up. It just has a more polished finish overall. The alternative faux knit brim looks kinda wonky so maybe I just need practice. Toni’s looked great in her video so I’m sure it’s me. Also the typical crown increasing just looks kinda odd. It gives the crown a kind of square shape that I like a lot less than a cinched crown I can halfway hide.

Lastly, here’s the details on the size, hook and yarn. I’d love to know if you have a favorite top down cabled hat pattern. Leave a comment.

Hat size: 12 months

Hook: I9/5.5mm

Yarn: Hobby Lobby I Love This Yarn Sport in color Sun Yellow.

Britnee

Time Flies

I didn’t realize until just now how much time has passed since my last post. I truly am sorry. Nevertheless, my fingers must crochet at least a few stitches everyday. Some days I’m blessed to get that.

Even as time flies and life moves on Christmas season is now on the minds of many crafters. I’m no exception. I’ve been busy trying to make items for my first craft show. Unfortunately I missed out last year but not this year!

Here’s my first item which will be available for $20.

A Christmas Baby Cocoon with Beanie

County Fair Part 2

Last night we went to the county fair. We always have a good time but this year was phenomenal because Turtle (who is 4.5 years old) was completely into it. He is for the most part, normally, a pretty cautious child. It took us by surprise that he wanted roller coasters. Like not just the kid roller coasters. He wanted the grown up ones that, thankfully, he was still too small for. He did go on the Tilt-a-Whirl and another similar one that I can’t remember the name for. It was really fun to watch just pure exhilaration on Turtle’s face. Even Burger had a great time. Because of his cerebral palsy Burger is easily overstimulated so he keeps his head down a lot and pretends he’s sleeping. But not last night. He went through a few minutes screaming right along with his brother. Turtle was screaming on this Dragon Wagon ride and we could hear him and Burger just screamed and laughed. I was actually able to get some good photos of Burger with his head up and smiling. I treasure so much of what our 2 boys do and/or say in my heart and last night was no exception. It was just fun!

To top the night off we stopped by the Family Arts Building to see how my 7 items of crochet did. If you can hear a drumroll in your head, now is the time. (Excuse the photos. They’re in display cases and I didn’t want to wait until I got my items back).

First up, Turtle’s fidget spinner case. It got 2nd place. Yay!!!! Its the red ribbon.

Finally, my Minty Toddler Cardigan with Sleeves. CHAMPION! I couldn’t (and still can’t) believe it. Beyond excited. 

I hope everyone had as great of a day as we had yesterday.

Nemo clownfish beanie

Still trying to find Nemo for that perfect gift? He can be found now on Etsy!

Headed to the Fair

For the past few years in July our family has been attending our local county fair. We always have a lot of fun and one of my favorite parts is visiting the Family Arts Building and seeing all the neat crafts (crochet) people have placed in the show. Every year I say I want to do that. This year I did. I submitted 5 items: Thomas the Train, my Mother’s Day flower bracelet, mint market bag, a green and white Christmas stocking ornament, and a pink and ivory baby hat with a barrette bow.

I have no idea what the judging criteria is because, honestly, I didn’t really care about that part. I just thought I enjoy seeing what others made and maybe my stuff would be different enough that others might enjoy what I made. It was a big confidence booster I wasn’t really expecting. All five items received a blue ribbon and the bracelet and stocking for some reason also have stars on them. It was a neat experience that I will plan on doing again next year.

In case you were wondering, the grand champion made an adult sized mermaid tail blanket which, of course, is all the rage right now, afghan-wise anyway. I was actually pleased to see it because I had considered making those for my nieces for Christmas. Definitely a lot of work so I’m still thinking on that.

Has anyone else ever entered their projects into a competition? I’d love to hear about it in the comments.

In the meantime…

Finally, got my mama’s Mother’s Day gift finished last night and mailed off today. As soon as she receives it I’ll have a post ready to..well, post. I think it turned out pretty good and can’t wait to share it with ya’ll. I hope she likes it as well as me and Turtle do. But she’s a mother so of course she’ll love it just because I made it.