Hats, hats and more hats

I was going through my big bag of crocheted hats today, picking some out to list on Oztion. Some of the hats may become re-works so I won't be selling them. I really love making small items like hats and bags. I can finish them quickly (average hat takes an hour) which gives me a great sense of achievement and if I or one of my family need a particular colour or style I can make them up that day...very convenient.

I mentioned in an earlier post that crochet is wonderful therapy for me. On reflection, I think my latest hat making frenzy is providing me with some emotional relief, due to a situation I am facing at work. I won't go into details, but I'm currently on stress leave. I actually couldn't pick up my hook at all on Monday, which is almost unheard of for me! I think I'm getting my crochet mojo back though...I've been working on another market bag and whipped up a quick beanie last night...although said beanie was pretty bloody awful! I do hate it when you use the same brand of wool for 2 hats but one turns out a different size from the other! I used Carnival Effects from Big W. The last one I used was quite soft but this one is much firmer, so the hat is bigger, stiffer and just yuk...might have to turn it into some squares for an afghan.

Here are some pics of my recent works – I will be adding patterns soon. I'm still working on getting them technically correct, so anyone who uses them doesn't end up with the world's weirdest shaped hat, which is what happened to me the other week!

Some of my designs are based on hats that I already own and have adapted for local yarns. Some are similar to those that you see on the numerous free pattern sites on the internet. If I have made something using the exact pattern I will be sure to link to the pattern author's site/blog, otherwise I will start putting my patterns up soon. They are all pretty much what you would see on other sites, with the emphasis on using locally available yarns.


Baby beanie...I love babies in beanies! They look so cute! This one will fit birth – 3 months and was made from some baby acrylic that started life as a pram cover. I think it was 8ply and I used a 5mm hook. Again that's a guestimation...I must start documenting patterns as soon as I make them, instead of trying to remember 2 weeks after the fact....oh well...


Lady's cotton/acrylic blend beanie. This is sooo soft, it's gorgeous. A little tricky to work with but bearable for such a small item. The colour changes are hard to see in the picture but the crown is blue tones, turning more to grey as you reach the brim. Had I been making something bigger, you would have seen pink tones creeping in as well. The yarn was Panda Fuchsia, which was at Big W for $2 a ball....1 hat uses ¾ of a ball. Funnily enough this one isn't listed on the Panda site, so I'm not sure if it is discontinued or so new it hasn't been added yet.


Last one for now...Crimson variegated newsboy cap. I have spent a LOT of time getting my head around the circular increase mixed with Front Post Treble stitch thing. Lord knows why, as it's not really that hard. I've pretty much nailed it now which is great, as I'm itching to make some more berets and newsboys using different combinations of stitches. I will knit a couple as well, as I love the ones with cables, but that will take longer and I'm becoming addicted to the fast turnover of crochet. The brim looks unnaturally huge but that is just the way I photographed it. I haven't tried making the stiff brims yet, but have a couple of 2litre milk bottles lined up ready to cut templates from.

Going on a yarn hunt

I mostly shop for yarn by price, so I use acrylic more than anything else. I know there is a bit of a political divide around acrylic yarn, with the purists condemning anyone who stoops to the level of using synthetic, unnatural fibres for their precious creations.



Bunkum I say! I believe there is room for all yarns in your repertoire and it really depends on what you are making. For instance, when I make things for my grandchildren, I mostly use acrylic so their mother can machine wash them. If I am making garments using wool, I make sure she brings them to me for hand-washing...you know how clueless these modern kids are!



And the decision to use acrylic over wool often comes down to what is available and what would look best. I made a lovely striped jumper for Zoe, then 3, using Patons Inca which is a particular ply that I couldn't replicate in cheaper yarns. It would have cost me around $60 to knit, which I considered excessive for a small child's garment, so I waited until Cassidy's at Jamison had their 30% off sale (which I haven't seen for quite a while) and made the jumper for around $35 if I remember rightly. That jumper can be passed down to Claire who is now 3.



When their mother Emma was about 2, I made her an aran style jacket using Cleckheaton 12ply pure wool. It has been passed down to her 3 siblings and Zoe has had a crack at wearing it as well! So this is proof that using pure wool has its advantages, as that jumper has seen around 20 years use over 5 children and will be kept as a family heirloom. On the other hand, I also made a jumper for Louise when she was 3 or so, using a Bernat yarn. I still have it, and although it has pilled a bit over the years and hasn't been worn by as many people, I would still pass it on to my granddaughters.



I have already had my whinge about the difficulties of buying cheap 100% cotton in Australia. I did an experiment with some of the All Sorts yarn that I bought from Lincraft, by crocheting a dishcloth. As I suspected, after using the cloth on the washing up last night, it was still quite wet today, which says to me that it isn't all cotton and probably contains acrylic. So, another little source of income is denied me, for now anyway. Did I mention that I am going to start selling hats and bags on Oztion? It's either that or get a second job which I don't want to have to do if I can help it. I have a few things made and crash tested already so I just have to pull my finger out and get listing!



So, what do I use acrylic yarn for and what are my favourite brands? Carnival from Big W is very versatile, especially their fairisle and camo ranges. I do find them quite firm, especially the Camo, which makes it very good for bags, but not so suitable for garments. The fairisle ones can be quite soft but I would suggest you check them before you buy, just in case they are too scratchy for you.



I don't get to Spotlight as often as I would like, but to be honest I don't think their range is much different to Lincraft. I use Lincraft brand yarns quite a bit, especially their Cosy Wool, which is pure wool and not too bad quality wise. I'm also use their acrylic which has a huge range of funky colours, great for baby and kids' clothes.



I haven't used Patons or Panda acrylics much, mainly due to the increased cost per ball. I'm not against paying a lot for a beautiful yarn that I will be wearing for years (the main reason I don't is that my knitting isn't in the expert class and would be a waste of good wool) but I don't see the point in spending twice as much for the same acrylic. I wouldn't mind trying Panda or Carnival soft acrylic though. I do draw the line at Panda Disco! Awful stuff!



These days I crochet hats, bags, scarves and am about to start doing Amugurami, because I think there is a market for funky little desk pals for all us working people. When I get started on my “seachange” what's life all about posts, I'll explore more about why I am trying to earn extra money and what I am planning (albeit theoretically at this stage) for the next phase of my life.



Here are some Australian links to the major yarn brands and free patterns -



Lincraft

Spotlight

Patons Australia

Cleckheaton

Panda Yarns

Carnival Yarns



So, until next time...keep on hooking!