Hats and Socks

My arm said it was time to take a break from looming so I've been crocheting lately. This is called the Chunky Brimmed Winter Hat. I had some variegated yarn in pretty fall colors I wanted to try and think it turned out nicely. The free pattern is located at http://www.yarnsandmusings.com/2007/01/chunky-brimmed-winter-hatchapeau.html .


Lion Brand published a book called Just Hats, Favorite Patterns to Knit and Crochet. It has basic hat patterns for both techniques as well as variations and more complicated patterns. This hat is called The Kiss and was as easy as the pattern promised. It's the first time I've used double point needles and they turned out to be quite manageable.

These socks have consumed much of my time lately. They are made of Moda Dea Sassy Stripes and were done on two circular needles. I used Queen Kahuna's methods for the cast-on, general directions for size, and short row heel (http://www.queenkahuna-creations.com/). I really like her technique. I've done other socks on circular needles but never quite got the sizing correct and hated the heelflap. The ribbing is a pattern of K2 P2 for 5 rows, then P2 K2 for 5 rows.

Fancy Fur Hat Brims

The Dollar Store near me had Fancy Fur. Here are a couple of the hats I made with it. The first hats had regular brims and a complementary color for the top. They were just okay. Then I made some with the same color as the fur and let the brims roll. I think these are much prettier.

Krystal's Afghan Project

Krystal makes afghans which are donated to charity. She has created this pattern and shares it freely. Her only requirement is that you agree to send her a completed square. Above are two of the squares I'm sending her. There are pictures on her blog of squares sent to her from all over the world and of some finished blankets. She has even started a Yahoo group to help people with the pattern. If you crochet, you might want to check it out at http://krochetkrystal.blogspot.com/ .