Crochet hat #6 - Disaster!

Well the titanic has nothing on this.

Now I'll admit I am not the most seasoned crocheter, I can do but don't do that often. That was probably my downfall!

As my knit a book project has some crochet patterns, I thought hey hoe in for a penny and all that.  According to the blurb "..... Best part is the estimated stitching time - only three hours". Now this might be true if you can crochet like The Flash (superhero who is super fast for those not in the know) or indeed if the pattern was correct but I've failed to hit the three hour target. I think I'm on about eight by now (and counting).

Now getting to the real reason for the disaster. Yes as stated above the pattern is WRONG. There is NOTHING on the official errata page for the book so blindly followed the written instructions. I supposed if I crocheted more I would have realised it wasn't right earlier but just kept thinking, it'll work out.

It didn't. 

Eventually I had a ping {lightbulb} moment and looked at the project page on Ravelry. Luckily someone on there noticed the mistake and gave the correct instructions.  Much frogging later I think I'm back on track.

I will be noting the error on my project page notes.

What would the world of knitting/crochet do without Ravelry?

I vont to be alone #5 - finished

It's done and I'm more than pleased with this, I'm over the blinking moon! Greta Garbo eat your heart out.

Using the three needle cast off to create the loop was great, no sewing!

I manage to construct it without using a head form, I used my husbands instead. I think without a solid surface the pinning wouldn't have been as easy. Folding into shape was very straight forward and I easily followed the diagram in the book.

The only downside I can find is I might have too much hair to really do this hat justice. I think short hair would probably work better.

Well, that's project 5 done. The next hat is crochet and as I've not done that for a while it might get interesting.

Laters, I'm off to find my inner Jennifer Saunders x

I vont to be alone #5 -update

Well what a lovely knit. 

For beginners this is a simple easy to follow knit for the more seasoned knitter a 'mindless' knit.  There is a bit of shaping at the beginning by using a simple increase, picking up loop and either knitting or purling into it.  Then you basically double rib (K2,P2) for 30 inches.

After 30" you split to create the loop and finish off using a 3 needle cast-off. A nice technique to learn and is really good for shoulders on jumpers etc.

I've got about an 1" left to knit before I cast off. Then I will be tackling construction. The book does say "this is best accomplished with head form" so I might be borrowing a head, anyone got one?

I'll try and get photos of the construction process and next time we will have a turban. I'm so excited

I vont to be alone! #5

It's turban time!

I have been dying to make this, seriously Greta Garbo eat your heart out.

I've cast-on and am hoping to get this finished quite quickly. It's made in one piece, using a simple double rib, then 'twisted' in the turban shape and sewn into place.

Here are the first few rows.

On a slightly different note, sorry it's been so long since the last 'knit a book' project but I've had to make other things. Legwarmers (5 pairs), teachers scarfs (3), toys for Christmas fair and some other projects. All can be found on my Ravelry page ( http://www.ravelry.com/projects/Claire-Louise ) or FB page ( https://www.facebook.com/pages/Happy-Knitter/103006236421669?ref=hl ).

I'll update when a bit more has been added

TTFN 

Twist and slouch #4 - Finished

Well number 4 done and dusted.

Nice pattern and I quite like the 'twist'. Very easy to make and a good introduction to a provisional cast on if you have never done it. The twist is created by picking up the provisional cast on stitches and knitting the rows straight until the desired length is achieved. You then just tie them in a knot, nice, simple and effective.

The yarn used was 'donated' to the knit a book project so I will be posting the hat to America and I just hope Michelle likes what I made her yarn into.

Like all the hats made so far it's on the snug side so if you have a big head either add extra stitches when casting on or use a different needle size.

Now I have to cast on a shrug for my mum and I'm hoping to get a shawl made for myself for holidays, well a girl can dream!

Twist and Slouch #4 - does anyone else miss purl?

Main body of hat complete. Tomorrow I will unravel the provisional cast off and finish the 'twist' off, I hope my yarn donor likes it!

I have been finding recently that I miss purling.  When I learnt to knit nearly all patterns were created on straight needles. You had none of this seamless stuff and circular needles were only rarely used.  Now so many patterns are created with circulars I find I'm purling less and less.

Don't get me wrong, seamless knitting has bonuses. I HATE sewing up so obviously not having to do that is a major tick in the box.  But I do find that now when I have inches of stocking stitch (like in this hat) my heart sinks a wee bit as it just a bit boring, purling used to jazz it up now it's just knit, knit, knit. Does anyone else feel like this?

Anywho ... Moan over (for now) latest pick attached. Back to work tomorrow so might not get the t finished tomorrow but will try.

Twist and Slouch #4

No messing around here, straight into pattern #4 today.

This pattern requires a provisional cast on. My preferred method is to crochet a chain and then knit into the loops. I find when it's time to undo and pick up stitches it comes undone quickly and easily.

Apart from a inch of rib when you first cast on this whole hat is in plain knit so hopefully will be another quick one.

This hat is a little bit different to the previous hats as this is the first pattern I'm making using donated yarn.  The idea is if you have some sock yarn/4 ply lying around and your not sure what do with it then you send it to me with a return address. I then decide what to knit it into and return your finished item.  You won't know what your getting until it gets returned (or unless you recognise your yarn on my blog!), a nice wee twist.

Until next time