Crochet Chunky Earflap hat

Obliging model

I bought this pattern last winter from The Fuzzy Noggin and made lots of lovely hats from it but during our recent trip to Vancouver, I noticed my daughter's hat was getting a little too small for her. Woohoo! An actual reason to make her a new one. Necessity.

I decided to use the same pattern because it is so lovely and also so well written. Plus, I never quite got around to adding the braids and the crochet flower last year, so this year's model looks quite different.

As recommended, I used Lion Brand Thick and Quick, in Fig and Oatmeal (sounds like breakfast...) and honestly, it took me less than 2 hours from start to finish.

I highly recommend you check out The Fuzzy Noggin if you are a crocheter or wannabe. The Chunky Earflap pattern is so well written, has multiple sizes and the finished hat has really nice details.

Not always quite so obliging...

...but will work for candy.

Autumn Cowl

My favorite time of year here in Southern California is Autumn. I look forward to seeing the changing of the seasons and as I sit and write this, the dense sea mist outside my window is making me feel like lighting a fire, making soup and curling up on the sofa with a good book while the kids are at school. The truth is however, that once the sun comes out and burns off the damp coolness in the air it will be bright and sunny and we'll be putting on our sunglasses, slipping on our flip flops and enjoying the warmth. Still, there's no denying that the school run at least, requires some extra cozy apparel.

I made this cowl from organic cotton and the color is described as Olive, a deep, muted yellow-green. It's a lovely rich color and the cotton is amazingly soft. I can't stand itchy wool against my skin, particularly around my neck.

I used a double crochet stitch the whole way around, which makes the cowl thick and luxuriously warm and heavy.

Here are some simple directions to make one of these lovely cowls for yourself or as a gift. You can make it smaller (for a child) by making your original ch shorter. You could also make an impressively long over-size cowl that wraps around your neck more than twice, by making your starting ch longer.

Supplies : 5 skeins of Lion Brand's Nature's Choice Organic Cotton in Olive

5.5mm (US Size I, UK size 5) bamboo crochet hook

Directions :

Round 1 : Ch 150 and join with sl st to the first chain on hook making a loop. Be sure not to twist the chain.

Round 2 : ch 3. dc in each ch around. sl st into top of beginning ch 3.

Round 3. ch 3. dc in each dc around. sl st into top of beginning ch 3.

Repeat round 3 until cowl measures 12" in depth.

Let me know if you make one - I'd love to see it!

That hat that has made me turn to knitting

I crocheted this hat. Twice. Both times it came out horribly even though I followed the pattern to the letter. She loves it. It's supposed to be slouchy. I think it is mushroomy. She loves it because it's weird and different and because it makes people smile to see her wearing it. I smile when she's wearing it. I have to admit it does suit her. But I am fed up with crocheting things that don't turn out how I expect them to so I've picked up some knitting needles. I'm going to see how long it takes me to mess that up too.

It's starting to feel like Autumn....

Crochet

I go through phases of really enjoying crocheting (usually in the cooler months) and recently I have been wanting to start a project, but I think it's going to have to wait until the kids are back in school. Not that I can't browse for patterns right now. I most often get patterns from crochetpatterncentral.com for free or purchase ones from etsy. After a quick browse through the crochetpatterncentral website (which is a GREAT resource but pretty tedious to click through) these are some of my favorite finds.

Legwarmers

Cardigan

Acorn amigurumi

And here are some of my etsy favorites...

I want an orange crochet octopus in my life

Awwww - baby boots!

This hood is JUST my daughter's style

Ravelry.com is also a huge resource for patterns, though for some reason I often forget to look there.

I subscribe to Crochet Today but I have never made anything from it. I don't know if it's the colors they use, or the styles, but I'm not really drawn to their patterns. Anyone else feel like this? Care to share some crochet pattern resources??