Slouchy Cotton Beret/Tam

This hat has been a WIP for months. I just finished it yesterday and posted it to Etsy. My first attempt at a slouchy beret. It turned out pretty well, at least I think it did. Here's a picture:

Tapestry Kitty Bag

I just finished this Tapestry Crochet Kitty Bag for my granddaughter.

I modified the pattern slightly:

• I opted for a shoulder strap with a stripe instead of the wrist strap specified
• used Caron Simply Soft in Black and White
• Added a white weave at the top of the bag

It was fun to make because I kept thinking about the hug I'll get...

Bragging...

I am so excited! My entries in the San Diego County Fair both won ribbons!

A round ripple afghan of my own design won 3rd place in the afghans category for entrants 62 or older. A hat won 1st place in the miscellaneous crochet for entrants 62 or older. There was no category for "hats". These were my first ever entries in any competition, so I'm obviously very proud.

On top of that, we went to the fair yesterday to see if they had won anything, and I entered a speed contest - speed is not my strong point. I won second place! Think I would have won first, had I not been so nervous and made a couple of errors, which counted against me.

Lacy Crochet Earrings

I created these crocheted hoop earrings with a small amount on #10 crochet thread and a #7 steel crochet hook over a pair of hoops. Versions shown are crocheted over 2¼ and 2½ inch hoops.

Instructions:

Materials used:
small amount of #10 crochet cotton
#7 steel crochet hook
Hoop Earrings - those pictured are 2¼ inches and 2½ inches across

Instructions:
Rnd 1: Make a loop around the hoop and sc around to cover the hoop. Crocheting over the loose end for several stitches will eliminate sewing it in later. You can cover the hoop completely, or to your taste.

Rnd 2:. Turn, (do not ch 1) sk first ch, * sc in next ch, sk two ch, sc in next ch, repeat from *. You should do these sc's a little loose to reach the next st.

Rnd 3: Turn, sk first st, * sc in next st, sk 1 st, repeat from * around.

Rnd 4: Turn, sk first st, * sl st in next st, sk next st, repeat around.
At this point, you can fasten off and sew in the loose end, or add another round. The white hoops above were done with 3 rounds and the black hoops were done with 4 rounds. The more rounds you add, the lacier the look becomes.

Enjoy!

One-Day Contest at San Diego County Fair

I mentioned I was entering a couple of items in the San Diego County Fair this year. Additional features of the Fair will be a speed contest - well, not just speed - you have to follow a pattern and the winner will be determined by the most correct number of rows. Also a "wearable recycled art" contest. I'm going to try to enter both events, both are one-day events, which includes entry to the Fair on the day of the contest.

Should be fun.

County Fair Entries

I've decided to enter a couple of crochet items in the San Diego County Fair.

I've chosen the 9-pointed popcorn round ripple and the burgundy cable hat. There are a couple of one-day competitions as well, one is for recycled wearable art and a crochet contest following a pattern.

Wish me luck!

Hard Crochet - Stetson-style Hat finished

I recently purchased the book "Hard Crochet" by Mark Dittrick. The book was published in 1978, and documents a crochet technique using extremely tight tension and a small hook to create a very firm fabric. One of the projects in Mr. Dittrick's book is a Stetson-Styled hat. You can see the results here on my granddaughter. I'm keeping this hat for myself.