Monday 6 October 2014

Crochet Hats




 


As the weather now turns more determinedly autumnal, my thoughts turn to crochet - and to  autumnal coloured yarns reflecting nature: shades of greens, browns, russets, reds and oranges and yellows, tweedy yarns even, and the colours of heathers, the soft mauves and purples (Scottish holiday influence!) - and I'm thinking textures - textured cushions, blankets, hats, gloves, scarves and cowls. 

I'm definitely on a bit of a crochet roll at the moment...........as I mentioned in my last post, a crochet cloche hat was on the cards and is now indeed made.

Using this excellent pattern on Ravelry, it made up easily in a couple of hours or so. A lovely pattern, very straightforward, a joy to follow. I used a UK half treble crochet throughout where it said hdc in US terms, and a UK treble where it said dc - worked for me and looks just like the picture and fits a treat (although I used all the same yarn instead of stripes).

You need to use an aran weight or similar yarn as the pattern recommends, ordinary dk would be too floppy I would imagine.


I used just over a ball (100g) of a pure wool Sirdar Norsgarn, one of 6 balls which I bought new off eBay for a few pounds, although I suspect it is a  good few years old. It is a lovely very soft but very thick wool with a tufted and fibrous just off the spinning wheel look about it. It is lovely to crochet with. I used a no. 5 hook as per the pattern, which I should have added is a free Ravelry download.



It is such a neat little hat which holds its shape well, and you can wear it various ways. I think its going to be a very useful hat and I must admit I'd like to make another. Maybe add a flower to the side - or a bow as per the pattern. Or a nice tweedy wool one - browns or greens, or maybe a soft flecky heathery mauve? I'm thinking Harris Tweeds, earthy colours.

I'm wearing it more conventionally than I intended in the photo above, with the brim slightly turned up at the sides and worn further back on my head, as when I wear it turned down and pulled lower a la cloche style, my cruel family start humming the tune to Bill and Ben the flower pot men.................but us craftswomen are used to this, and are hardened and impervious to our family's occasionally less than complimentary comments by now. We care not.


So I am the owner of three new hats for this season - the lovely tweed and velvet cloche shown in my previous post, the rust cloche wool hat just finished, and the little denim blue aran Nicki Trench beanie from her Cute and Easy Crochet, that I made earlier in the year here.


I've also finished the fourth ribbed square ready to be joined and made into a cushion cover. I used a pattern from Jan Eaton's 200 Crochet Blocks, one of my favourite and most reliable of crochet books - pattern no.72 in the book. The yarns are all Stylecraft with 20% wool. I'm loving the stretchy ribby textures.


So the weather now having turned more autumnal, I know what I shall be doing this evening! I am certainly a seasonal crocheter, much preferring to hook in the autumn / winter months!

I'm wanting to make a cowl too I think, maybe in the same warm rust colored wool - I'll be checking Ravelry and Pinterest for ideas, but if anyone has a tried and trusted favourite cowl pattern please shout out!

Thanks for your comments on my last post, it's good to be back! Am slowly catching up with some of your blogs, but lots more to go!


Edited to add: I have just finally put some projects onto my Ravelry page which I set up a couple of years ago and then did nothing to. If you are also on Ravelry then please come and visit me and add me as a friend so that I can find you there!

You can find me on Ravelry here:
www.ravelry.com/people/pinkgillyflower


Have a good week everyone!

21 comments:

  1. Love the cloche hat, the colour is a real delight. I am a great fan of Harris Tweed too, so maybe you could make a Harris Tweed brooch/pin for it.

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  2. Great hats Gill, you now have a choice for your Logan walking times!!! :)
    I do love your jar of hydrangea!! :) xxx
    v x

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    1. This is true Vivienne, and maybe that's the only time I'll wear them, but they will certainly be worn!

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  3. Love your hats! I've just finished knitting a beannie for my husband. When on holiday recently I bought some gorgeous wool from the New Lanark Mill. I'd say it's exactly what you're looking for. It was really cheap for pure wool (or 90% wool and 10% silk for the colours with the little slub). Here's their website for you to check out: http://newlanarkshop.co.uk/ Their wool really reminds me of Harris tweed. I'm using mine to crochet myself a bag.

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    1. Thanks for the link Gillian, it sounds lovely wool and such a good price. I will certainly check them out, and will be over soon to catch up with you and see the beanie and bag.

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  4. Gilly, would you share the title of the book (garden book?) featured in one of your photos? And please tell me where you found the (slate?) quotes about being happy!!
    Enjoy Autumn Dear,

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    1. Hi Noelle, lovely to hear from you! The book is Vita Sackville-Wests Gardening Book (mentioned in a previous post a few weeks ago). The slate effect sign is made from distressed and painted metal and I got it from a blogging friend Deborah's online shop - Bee Happy Home Accessories http://www.beehappyhome.co.uk - there is a similar cream one in the shop at the moment.
      Hope you are enjoying the change of seasons too!

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    2. You are so sweet! I immediately placed my order (and a few other things as well), much obliged for the information!
      Blessings,

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  5. Lovely hats Gill and a great photo of you!

    Madelief x

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    1. Thanks Madelief, although not sure I should have shown the photo, but it's all in the interests of art - you need to see what it looks like on I think!

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  6. I love your new cloche hat!!! It is so cute and a great colour too. I hope that you love wearing it - despite any familial remarks! xx

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    1. Thanks Amy, the remarks just flow over me, I'm past caring!

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  7. I love these cloche hats so much, Gill! I would love one too! You look lovely wearing it.
    So nice to see you are back here again, I am going to catch up with your last post now.
    Happy week.
    Helen xox

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    1. Thanks for your comment Helen, the hat is very quick and easy to make. You need to use a heavier weight than dk yarn though, like an aran weight, but it is a joy to make. Am off for more yarn tomorrow for the next one!

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  8. Lovely hat, it really suits you. I always feel the need to do woolly things at this time of year. Nice to see that chilli ripening on your windowsill, I have a couple doing exactly the same. CJ xx

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    1. Thankyou CJ, most kind! We have had a lot of chillies from this plant and have frozen most of them, but I cheated and bought the plant as I had no success with germinating my chilli seeds this year, and only bought it a few weeks back with plenty of chillies already on it, so can take no credit whatsoever! Knowing you, yours will have been expertly grown and nurtured from seed!

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    2. Nope, mine was a very late bargain (50p) buy from the local garden shop! I'm going to try and keep it through the winter, I've heard you can do this. CJ xx

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  9. Great hats, trouble is I have many but never wear them too hot here most of the time.
    Merle............

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  10. Your hats are beautiful and I think they really suit you!

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  11. Lovely hats-I don't have much luck with making-or even buying them (I have a big head!). Also really like your lovely neat squares-I always rush and end up with uneven sides and end up frustrated and angry at myself!
    You gave me some advice a few weeks ago on freezing blackberries, just wanted to say we did and have since defrosted some which turned into a lovely crumble 'just like that!' Thanks!

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Thanks for visiting and for taking the time to leave a comment - I love to read them!
Gill x