Summer hat crochet pattern

This hat is actually 2 years old already, and finally I got to write down and share the pattern. (Like I have to once again draw attention to the sad fact that my blog is so veeery frequently updated. Like it isn't obvious. Ha!)

Nevertheless, there is still a whole month of summer left,  the weather is hot, sun is bright - so here's the pattern :)

 
The hat should fit a head of  56 cm in circumference. 
Gauge: 21 dc x 15 rows within a 10x10 cm square.
I used 100% cotton yarn that is 430 m per 100g.

Row 1: Make magic ring. 8 DC in ring. Join with sl st.
Row 2: 2 dc in each st around.
Row 3: Same as row 2.
Row 4:  1 dc in first st. 2 dc in next st. Repeat around
Row 5:  *1 dc, 1 dc, 2 dc*. Repeat around.
Row 6: *1 dc in first  4 st, 2 dc in next st*.  Repeat around
Row 7: *1 dc in first  5 st, 2 dc in next st*.  Repeat around
Row 8: *1 dc in first  7 st, 2 dc in next st*..  Repeat around
Row 9: *1 dc in first  8 st, 2 dc in next st*..  Repeat around
Rows 10-23: 1 dc in each st (you can vary number of rows here as you like)
And finally slight increase for the hat brim:
Row 24: *1 dc in first  4 st, 2 dc in next st*. Repeat around
Row 25: *1 dc in first  5 st, 2 dc in next st*. Repeat around
Rows 26-30: 1 dc in each st
Row 31: 1 sc in each st.

That's all! Easy, right?
Enjoy the hot summer days!

Third attempt...

...To make a decent scarf/cowl out of retro yarn.
This was the first one. It was quite attractive, but because of dense pattern didn't drape well. So I never wore it in real life, just for the photoshoot. :)

Second attempt was, apparently, so pitiful that it was never finished and I didn't get to photograph it.

Third version is more successful, as I actually WEAR it. Although I wouldn't mind the cowl to be wider, for the sake of draping, again. But you can't buy more of the yarn which is decades old. :)

The pattern is very easy and consists of simple 'V-stitch'. Cowl is worked in the round.
Start with chain in multiples of 3.
Row 1: work ch4, dc in 4th chain from hook. *Skip  2 st, in next st dc, ch 1, dc (it's your V-stitch)* Repeat around. Join last V-stitch to 3rd chain of starting ch 4.
Row 2: ch 4, dc in the same st. *Skip 2 st, V-stitch in next st (between the V-stitches of Row 1)* Repeat around and join like in Row 1.
Then repeat Row 2 until cowl reaches desired width... or you run out of yarn, like me =))

For some reason these pics  look like they were shot with a mobile phone, which is actually not the case. =))

You can see how yarn varies in thickness. In my opinion, it is not necessarily a bad thing, as it adds to overall vintage feel. =)

Cowl/hat/top pattern

It's almost May, and I'm posting a winter item again. How sad is that?
Winter finally seemed to end, snow melted (only last week!), and I already have a couple of unfinished spring projects. But for now, here's this multifunctional 100% wool number...
The pattern is very simple, and I wanted to try it for a long time. This multi-colored yarn seemed a perfect opportunity for the pattern to shine.

Here it is:

Make a chain of desired length, join with sl st - you'll be working in circle.
Row 1 and every odd row:  ch 3, *1 sc, 1 dc*, repeat between ** throughout, join with sl st
Row 2 and every even row: ch1, *1 dc, 1 sc*, repeat between ** throughout, join with sl st.

You can use any yarn you like, but make sure it is soft for a nice drape!
In my case, finished garment is about 40x40 cm (folded).
So easy, but looks quite unusual!



 The right picture is the "right" side of crochet - the one that you see when you work. But the "wrong" side, which is on the left, seems more interesting to me. Can you see alternating sc's and dc's?

Not only is this shape suitable to be worn as a hat, but as a top, too! And... as a skirt (OMG!)
I don't have a picture of that, but the customer said it was possible  :)

I promise there'll be no more wool for next six months =)
And, no more pictures of the wall in this state!

Autumn colors: fingerless gloves

As the weather grew cooler and my hands started to freeze a little bit, I realized that my first ever crochet project is not quite so wearable. I decided to give the idea of fingerless mittens/gloves another try, after almost a year.
I finally used up remains of mustard yarn. Love this rich color, so appropriate for autumn.

These gloves are really easy to make, it's been only two evenings from start to finish.
(And then few weeks for photoshoot, getting pictures ready and writing the pattern. As usual!)

Pattern
 I used 50% wool 50% acrylic yarn with 4 mm hook.
Gauge: 16 sts x19 rows = 4 inches


Cuff: Start with ch 8. (Or more, if you want a wider cuff.)
Row 1: sc in  second ch from hook and in every remaining st of starting chain. Ch 1 turn.
Row 2: sc only in back loop of every st. Ch1 turn.
Repeat row 2 until the cuff fits your wrist. (I recommend to make it a little bit tight, because yarn tends to stretch and you don't want your gloves to be baggy.) Fold your cuff in half and join two sides with slip stitches. Then turn it inside out.

Main part: Now start working around the edge of the cuff.
Rows 1: ch 1. sc evenly distributed around, join with sl st. (Results in 27 sts in my case.)
Rows 2-7: ch1. Sc in every st around. Join with sl st.
(Number of rows before the finger hole can be changed depending on preferred length of the glove)
Row 8:
For the left glove: ch1. Sc in next 5 sts. ch 5 for finger hole, then sc in every sc around. Join with sl st.
For the right glove: ch1.  Sc in every st around till there is 10 stitches left to the end of row. Ch 5.  Sc in next 5 sts. Join with sl st.
Row 9: Repeat row 2.
Repeat row 9 until the glove reaches desired look. In my case, it's 10 rows after finger hole.
 
Finger: Hold the glove so that the cuff is pointing down and attach yarn to the right corner of the finger hole. Start first round on the lower side of finger slit and make sure that the right side of your crochet work is facing out and the wrong side in. Work about 7 rounds  of single crochet in spirals, without joining. Finish with slip stitch(es).

 An easy way to keep your hands warm. :)

T-shirt basket pattern

 







































(Ta-dah! This is the first crochet pattern I have ever written. I hope it makes sense!
Sorry for possible mistakes) 
You can find out more about the basket in the previous post here.
You'll need two M-L sized T-shirts of colors A and B - whichever you like. Here you can find one of many tutorials on making T-shirt yarn. It's easy and you'll love it.

I used 7 mm hook; you can use any large hook that's comfortable for you. Crocheting with T-shirt yarn is quite a physical exercise, so, if you want to have strong fingers, you are welcome :)

Start with making a magic ring.
Every row begins with ch 1. First sc of every row is worked into the same st (the one from which you make ch 1). Every row ends by joining with sl st.

Row 1: 7 sc in the ring (7)
Row 2: 2 sc in every st around. (14)
Row 3: sc, 2 sc. Repeat 7 times. (21)
Row 4: sc, sc, 2 sc. Repeat 7 times. (28)
Row 5: sc, sc, sc, 2 sc. Repeat 7 times. (35)
Row 6: sc in every st around. (35)

Now the simple increase part is over, and the fun triangle part begins.
How to change the color smoothly: I give example for sc, but the same principle applies to any other stitch. Color should be changed during PREVIOUS stitch.
Work sc as usual to the point where you have 2 loops on your hook and you're going to finish sc with pulling hook through both loops. You needn't fasten off every time you change color. Just leave the color A to hang in there and use color B: yarn over and finish sc. When you're done with color B, you can pick up color A and continue with it like nothing happened. And the other way around.

From row 7 to row 12, work 1 sc in every st.
Row 7:  6 sc with color A, 1 sc with color B. Repeat 5 times.
Row 8: 2 sc with color B, 4 sc with color A, *3 sc with color B, 4 sc with color A* repeat 4 times, 1 sc with color B.
Row 9: 3 sc with color B, 2 sc with color A, *5 sc with color B, 2 sc with color A* repeat 4 times, 2 sc with color B.
Row 10: 4 sc with color B, 1 sc with color A, *6 sc with color B, 1 sc with color A* repeat 4 times, 2 sc with color B.
Now you can bind off color A.


Rows 11-12: sc in every st around. (35)
Row  13: sc, sc, sc, sc2tog. Repeat 7 times. (30)
Leave a loop for hanging and fasten off.

Now you have your own bathroom (well, not necessarily bathroom) basket. Isn't it nice? :)