Tag: beanie

Crochet Vina Hat

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So if you read my last post you already know I’ve been trying to find a good top down cabled hat. As a recommendation from @astitchshyofnormal on Instagram I thought I’d try the Vina Hat.

The first 3 rows went beautifully and then I got stuck on the 4th round. For the life of me I couldn’t figure it out. After several tries, I persevered. I kept on keepin’ on (thank you Veggie Tales). I am so glad I didn’t give up on this pattern. It turned out beautiful. It is slightly big and long for my head so I actually didn’t do the last 3 rows of the brim. I like it anyway.

Just in case you’re wondering. I didn’t intentionally make this a Santa inspired hat. If you’ve read many of my posts you’ll know I prefer to practice patterns I’ve never done before. This was no exception. I was using scrap red yarn and ran out. It was between a white or black brim. Ternie and I decided on white. I guess if you’re an Indiana University or University of Mississippi fan this is the hat for you.

Also, I just have to say I’m so excited to finally have a model head. I don’t care if she’s styrofoam. It may sound weird but she seemed to stand out at Hobby Lobby amongst all the other heads like she was saying “Pick me! Pick me!” I think that means she needs a name. Any suggestions?

Happy Crocheting,

Britnee

Crochet Top down Cable Beanie and Alternative to Faux Knit Brims

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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

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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

I need a new license plate

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Ternie and I have an ongoing joke. Many years ago on I-65 in Birmingham, Alabama, we saw a man driving his wife’s vehicle (she was with him). As they sped past us we noticed her license plate: FANCY WIFE. After my latest project, Ternie can claim the same for me. I made this hat for the Expression Fiber Arts Crochet along (CAL). EFA yarn is definitely a luxury I can’t afford however it is fun to see what wild colorways Chandi comes up with and I’ve saved several of her free patterns but this was the first I’ve made. Actually this was my first completed CAL as well. The pattern is called Pink Pearl Cap. I used Caron Simply Soft in colorway Pagoda and added a simple yet fancy black button. The pattern itself was easy in theory but once I got working on it, I had a little trouble getting the hang of it. I eventually got it and am very pleased with how it turned out. I will be making more and it will be added to Etsy soon.

Infinity scarf & beanie hat set

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I’ve been way behind on most everything lately but I did manage to get this simple beanie made and infinity scarf set made. I made the scarf up. If anyone would like a pattern I’ve toyed with the idea of writing a pattern but, to be honest, with the exception of starting using foundation single crochet, all it is is double crochet. Nevertheless, if anyone prefers having it written I will be happy to do that.
It is now available in my Etsy shop.


SATS: Quick Little Bag & Charity Cap

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Today’s show and tell is a quick little bag from Jessie at Home.

I actually made this last week but forgot to put it in my last post. I’m getting lots of use from that Dollar Tree yarn. Since it was so cheap I use it to test patterns and then I can make it with colors and yarn of my choosing after I know the pattern. The yarn is a lighter worsted size 4 so it turned out too small for my purposes but with this particular yarn it makes a perfect little girl purse. When I was little I adored purses and loved thinking I was putting grown up stuff in it. Who am I kidding? I still love purses and bags of all kinds. I just imagine some sweet little dark haired girl like myself feeling grown up carrying a purse around and putting little lip glosses in this bag. The only thing is if said little imaginary girl swings the purse around in stores (I always was getting in trouble for that) she would lose her stuff so I’ll be adding a button to it before it goes up for sale in my Etsy shop.

I also made a second charity beanie identical to last weeks beanie.

For each beanie sold in my Etsy shop an identical one will be donated to either a hospital, pregnancy care center or domestic violence shelter.

And lastly, we celebrated Burger’s 12th birthday. As suspected the afghan turned out a little small but it makes a perfect lapghan for his wheelchair.

SATS: Beanie and stockings

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I haven’t been able to get much accomplished this week. I’ve started and stopped I don’t even know how many projects this week so during those lulls I’ve been working on mini Christmas stockings. These stockings are for the holiday craft fair in November and I’m determined to have at least 50 (10 sets of 5). I’ll also be updating my Etsy with these stockings. Right now Etsy is all over the place so I decided to keep it simple with one size and one color (red) with an option for customization to make green.

Last night I decided I wanted to use some sport weight yarn so I chose Hobby Lobby’s I Love This Yarn Sport in Red for this beanie. Although it was an easy project I did learn a few things. The pattern calls for a 3 stitch cable and the edging is a reverse single crochet, or crab stitch. I found a tutorial from Moogly on YouTube and once I got the hang of it it was kinda fun and will be remembering that finishing touch on future projects. I always thought it was complicated so I’ve stayed away from projects calling for the crab stitch. Maybe now I’ll hunt them down and conquer them. Although the pattern says sport weight yarn I noticed she used Caron Simply Soft which is still a size 4 so I’m thinking it was a typo because her hat was for an adult and because of the difference mine turned out a child size so I haven’t decided if I’m adding it to Etsy or donating it. Technically, the beanie is called a chemo cap so I’m sure I’ll donate this one and make more for my shop. Either way I was pleased how it turned out. I didn’t notice until I was taking my photos that this is a very red post. I guess I’ve been in a very red mood.

Have a great rest of the weekend.

Headed to the Fair

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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.