The Anatomy of a Crocheted Felted Hat

How many of you have felted or fulled (and why do these terms confuse me so?) an item? The pattern I bought from Fiber Trends calls it a Crocheted Felt hat, yet other have said when you felt wool, it's fulled. In any case, felting is a bit of a fun way to play around with wool and also make a wonderful fabric using crocheting or knitting.

As you may know, I haven't been crocheting much, concentrating on other things, craft and non-craft wise. The conundrum was I had a bug about making some items, I bought some patterns, yada-yada-yada, I got sick and felt compelled to make a hat for someone special who I mentioned I would make a hat for ages ago. I also got sick again. After 7 years of thinking things were behind me, maybe they are, maybe they aren't, we don't know and I guess after the beginning of the year we shall start trying to figure it out.

In any event, I am kind of stuck in the house, feeling sick, feverish and achy and decide I must do this hat come hell or high water. I've used Bev's pattern before and I love it. It also is seamless, another love, but it involves a lot of counting, which I don't love too much. My feverish brain lost count too many times and after many frogging episodes it was completed to my satisfaction. I will say, the front loader felts great, however you have no control about stopping it mid-cycle so a lot of pacing and wondering happens during the process.

First off, I used Plymouth Wool Outback Yarn (100% wool, a must for felting, although the SWS felts nicely, this was plain wool) in a colorway I don't even remember the name of, just had a number. These are giant skeins, 370 yards, a little lighter than suggested, but I took my chances.

I have made the brimmed hat at the very top, but decided for this one, I would make the one on the right-sort of semi-brimmed (darker navy one) for this design and off I went. I crocheted, counted, frogged, crocheted, counted, frogged, cursed and finally, it was done. Now these "things" look kind of like the character on the cartoon "Fat Albert" from when I was a kid (really aging myself here), but sort of like this:

They are huge and I took pics using my phone of the actual hat on the man head mannequin head I have (sorry, they aren't so great)

But, you get my drift. Now comes the fun. I know it's for someone who has a larger head than myself, so I worry about the sizing. I toss it in the washing machine with two pair of old jeans and a little soap, put the water temp on hot wash/cold rinse and normal setting and leave the room. I check 1/2 hour later and it felted well, however I wanted it a little tighter, so I switched the washer to the "quick" cycle and repeated. I checked, rather hesitantly and it seemed to be the size I needed. I bought the big "mans" size mannequin head specifically for blocking felted hats because of the size and because when making chemo caps I can adjust for size using that head. I would love the millinery hat blockers, but between cost and all the sizes, this works out great. Okay, back to the hat-I stretched it to shape, formed the brim and let it dry.

Some fiber art, but not with a hook

Again, I admit, I haven't been hooking much, although I did make a few chemo caps, have two bigger project queue. From not crocheting much, one of the projects I did, using a large hook/bulk yarn (My chunky winter brimmed hat)and hurt my hand and ended up wearing a support brace for a few days. My punishment for abandoning the hook!

However, I have been doing other fiber arts. My latest phase is dyeing silk scarves. I love dyeing the silk scarves because you can use the same colorways, hand paint 10 scarves and every one will come out differently. All end up being a one of a kind original. Plus, you get that added surprise of when you are done, after I unband them (the ones I roll and band and paint) or unwrap the steamed ones, of being surprised myself.

I made three sizes: 14" x 72", 8" x 72" and 8" x 54" and ordered my dye and more silk blanks, so I must be enjoying the whole process.

You can see by the pictures, the order they are hanging on the rack, the colorways are matched up by the first, second and third of each scarf and you can see the differences.

For today, back to the hook!

Let's talk pattern writing, multiples and yarns substitiution/hook changes

This morning when I woke up and logged online, I was startled to see how many "hits" my site had already and tracked it back to Craftsy.com and my Bubbles Blanket. The person who posted it did link it to my site, but kinda (IMHO) made it seem like her design, but that's neither here nor there. The pattern is available for quick download right at the top bar of this post and it will open to a Docstoc document for easy printing, as well as available on Ravelry (member or not)where you can download the pattern, as well as see the 391 other blankets made from this pattern using different yarns, single strands, lots of edgings and other simple, yet unique touches people added to make it their own.

However, since writing this pattern in 2005, I have learned an awful lot about how to write patterns. I try my hardest to write all patterns out so that anyone can understand it, from beginner to advanced. The original pattern just listed the hook by the letter, me not realizing that Bates and Boye and others had different mm, as well as if you were in England or Australia, it could cause confusion. With this in mind, I rewrote the pattern listing the mm.

Many have made the pattern and then my inbox began to get questions asking about "multiples", "yarn substitution", "Hook sizes with yarn subbing" and even one person asked me to rewrite the entire pattern for her particular yarn and hook size she wanted to use (sorry, did not do this and she was awfully nasty about it) even though I full explained how she could do it.

I'll try and break it down here: Use any yarn you would like and if using a single strand, you will have to go down to a hook size that works best, but change the length of the starting chain. If using bulkier yarn, you may have to go up a hook size. If you are a tight crocheter, same thing. I did the original in Lion Brand "Pound of Love", two strands and later realized, although it's listed as worsted, it's more of an aran weight. I then turned to Caron Simply Soft, double stranded and was happy with the results and wonderful color choices and stayed with that.

Sizing: I made this so it would fit well in a stroller, as not to drag on the ground and get caught in the wheels and also for the baby car seat, so it didn't hit the floor. It's also thick enough to use as a changing pad when in a crunch. I then found others making it as lapghans for those in nursing homes for their wheelchairs or for people who wanted a ghan for their lap while in a chair without the bulk of a full sized afghan. I also made a full sized afghan using this pattern as a gift, using a single strand of yarn throughout. The sizing for this is STARTING CHAIN OF MULTIPLES OF 3 PLUS 2. This means the following-decide how wide or long you want your blanket/ghan and start making the chain and count as you go along. As long as the chain is divisible by 3 (chain of 93 would be 31 x 3, chain of 120 would be 40 x 3, etc) and add 2 more stitches for that FIRST row as the turning chain. In all actuality, you really would just need a chain 1, but I chose chain 2 because it gave it a more outlined edge. After the starting chain, you would work every row as it states and just chain 2 at the end until it's the size you want. This is what makes it so versatile, it can be any size you want.

I didn't think this up, many patterns, especially clothing with sizing, use multiples for different sizes.

In a nutshell, multiples of something is just making sure it's divisible by the number given and then you add the additional chains for the turning chain, depending on the stitch you are making.

I hope this answers any questions and clears up and helps those who are beginners. However, if you have any questions, I am always happy to help, but please just don't ask me to rewrite an entire pattern with a yarn I never heard of and for a size you specifically want :)

I DO have a blog, but have been remiss in actually blogging-MY CHALLENGE TO YOU

(Sigh) I received an email today from Vik. It was the sweetest scolding I ever received. "Where ARE you?" was basically what it said. She also went on to tell me she was sure I was still creating and unfortunately, that part was wrong. As my last post mentioned, I really lost my "ummph", but with winter around the corner, I wanna get it back and add more to my repertoire. Andy wrote two days ago, basically saying "Hey, where are you?" too, no scolding :P. I do still get comments on older postings with pattern and emails regarding patterns, which is great, but I have been seriously remiss with my blog here.

I really do have plans, some projects set together to start, it's just getting started. I really do have another IDP pattern for Knit Picks, it's just getting it started.

I blame no one but myself, but I do blame an entity for lack of blogging by many, myself including. Damn Facebook. Too much time spent on things that are nice, fun to catch up, but really, everyday and all the time? I am not on all the time, but when I sign in, there are pages to go back through and with changes FB makes on what seems like the weekly basis, it's frustrating.

My Google Reader has over 500 unread posts, not unusual lately and I skim through, but never comment. Vik brought me back to earth here.

Remember when we started? Mimi, Wendy, Cordi, Andrea, Sara, BRON (who posted daily come hell or high water),Naomi, Beth, The Shrone (lack of linkage due to laziness of those who haven't blogged lately and I don't feel like looking to link up or you changed your blog name again and my Reader us bursting, but you know who you are), we all met through that tiny forum that grew into some sort of business entity and lost its appeal?, (I'm being polite here with the aforementioned forum, we all know what happened, but no need to rehash it all). We saw each other through relationships, marriages, illnesses, children and children growing up, deaths of loved ones, moves across country, divorces, we called each other on the phone, talked for hours about whatever...then came Facebook. We tried with small forums, but then Ravelry came along and I subscribe to a few forums, use it for looking up patterns as well as to answer questions, but still, it doesn't have the warm cozies. I have about a gazillion "friends" there, many who friend you cause they like a pattern, but you are clueless to who they are and how they even found you, so doesn't count. Not all stopped blogging, Amy didn't, but but not as often. Vera blogs, but then posts it on FB, so I comment there.

I guess what I am saying is I wish we could go back and get back to the blogging, get back to how we started, old and new bloggers I've met. I have to take the first step and read through Reader and COMMENT on the blogs, make the effort. I actually do have a project in mind (Nordic Hooded Scarf), and have a swap project to make. I also should finish up those socks I started almost two years ago, but can't find the pattern. I WILL start dyeing fiber and fulling, I WILL start dyeing yarn again and I will make soap and shea again, and will start those rug hooking/punch projects I have planned-I will. I will also write up that Knit Picks IDP project that has been in my brain for over a year. I will, I will, I will. Life is a little busy now, but once winter sets in, look out.

Now, I ask of you who are my original blog buds, as well as new readers-BLOG, COMMENT; I'll take the first step, follow me, this is my challenge to you.

ETA: Anyone I missed, I apologize, but you must not have blogged in a long ass time or I might have remembered to list you (said with love)

Long time, no blog

I apologize for promising to blog more and then not, but now that school will be starting tomorrow and all our summer activities are coming to a screeching halt, I will be back to some crafting and definitely blogging again. Besides, I have become addicted to my Kindle and have been reading so much lately, which is handy on the beach!

Things I plan to do: Sun dye wool roving, tie-dye silk using microwave, make felt material out of roving (thank the most talented Heather for this new technique, to me, and will also be visiting her studio), rug hooking and punching, get to that Knook and write up a review, use the Denise Interchangeable Crochet Hooks and write up a review and make a swap project for someone. I may even design and write up that pattern for the KnitPicks IDP program I've had on my mind for a year! Shea buttah will be made and I may finally make some soap once I mill the 10 lbs of unscented cold process waiting for me. My sock loom is also calling to me. I even bought a Harrisville Easy Weaver Size A loom off of eBay, but have to go through the book and see how to set it up. It was a used loom and a steal, but from reading through the instruction book, it must have originally arrived with warp set up and I upon glancing through the book, can't figure out where to even start.

You'll notice, no hooking listing (with the exception of trying out the Denise hooks and making the swap project and the IDP pattern). I haven't bought yarn (except for the swap project)in over a year or even picked up a hook all summer. Ironically, I have bought 5 patterns, but haven't even looked through them. Spinning-the wheel is dusted weekly, but it sits and just stares at me. The drop spindles, Strawrake, ditto. I don't know if I'll ever knit and may destash all my knitting books (yes, I'll want them once they're gone), wooden needles, Denise Interchangeable and new Boye set that's been sitting here for ages.

So, although summer isn't officially over and I don't intend for it to end without a fight, once the colder weather settles in, I will also settle in and get back to crafting and blogging. Cold weather and I are not friends, so be prepared for some new projects and ideas as I hunker down for the winter facing me.

"Forced" back into crafting fully inspired

I admit, I've been a slacker. I haven't do anything, and I do mean anything fiber related or even craft related since I finished the pattern for Hippie Chick Shawl (and a shout out to KnitPicks for putting the pattern in their catalog for July/August-sales are booming). I really thought I would get into the rug hooking, find some great projects to do this summer, but apparently I burned out. Summer is a time I spend with family and doing outdoor stuff and it just didn't seem conducive to playing with yarn. However, I've become inspired. Maybe that was all I needed was a little inspiration.

After reviewing the two crochet books I just reviewed, I felt an itch, but put it off. However, thanks to Kathryn of Crochet Concupiscence and her Hookin' Up project for July, I am really inspired. Through this project, I found several blogs which inspired me (hers is always full of amazing posts) and I am pumped.

I reviewed the "Crazy Crochet Blog" and through that review, "met" Clara. Clara lives close by to me (within an hour or two) and I am sure we will get together once summer is over and I am looking forward to it. Clara also turned me on to the Knook. No, not THE NOOK, but the Knook from Leisure Arts.

This is available, for now, at Wal-Mart only and will be available at other places beginning September 15th. It's not on Wal-Mart's website, mine didn't have it and well Clara, being the generous soul she is, sent me a kit. I was away for a few days at the beach and came home to the wonderful little package, so look forward to a review very soon. As you know (or maybe new readers don't), I can't knit. I tried a few times, but my left hand just sits there like it's detached from my body. This might give me a clue as to knitting and it's a crochet hook that you knit with and it's not Tunisian, and it looks knit, so fingers crossed here. Thank you Clara.

I also found Heather and Wool love-functional fiber art. No knitting, no crocheting, but the art of making fiber using fiber. She also answered the question fiber peeps have been debating for ages: Is it fulling or felting? IT'S FULLING. All the fiber I have sitting here and haven't spun, I will make into fulled items (well, not all of it), but what a wonderful site. Heather wrote to me and she too, lives about an hour away and I will be visiting her studio in October and can't wait. She also hooked me up with some fabulous websites and gave me so many ideas, now to get to Staples for some bubble wrap and I'll be set.

All this inspired me to get up off my ass (okay, once I am done some per diem stuff I am doing) and actually finish the design idea I sent to Knit Picks who knows how long ago. I even bought a pattern the other day off of Knit Picks, when in fact yarn and patterns haven't been bought in a year or more.

Upon arriving home there was another package from Simon & Schuster. I was clueless, but in my forgetfulness and because publishing seems to take so long, inside was:

I forgot, I made a submission for the Crochet Pattern a Day Calendar 2012: (oops, new name Crochet: 100+ Patterns Throughout the Year: 2012 Day-to-Day Calendar) when they sent me an email asking. I haven't opened the calendar yet, but I don't think they linked it up to my blog (aargh), but my pattern is on October 5th and I guess you can find my website by "googling" my name. No biggie, but again something I had completely forgotten about that just arrived and reminded me perhaps I should get to getting back to what relaxes me and I enjoy and learning some new techniques might just get me out of the slump I feel I've been in for a year now.

To all of you linked above, I thank you for your inspiration, guidance and new found friendship.