Stash Bust Update, March 2014, on Safari with Halos of Hope and Stitches South

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I’m always so excited to hear when Halos of Hope has a new collection campaign. Mainly because they are awesome and do awesome work but also because it gives me some direction on what type of hat to make.  Sometimes I’ll have a ball of yarn sitting in my basket begging for me to make a hat with it but I’ll have no idea what design or pattern to use.  Then, along comes Halos of Hope with a new themed collection and BINGO, the light bulb comes on (and I don’t even need my Thinking Cap!) and I know exactly what to do with that yarn.  That is what happened with both some brown yarn and this crazy Pomp-A-Doodle yarn I had purchased.

Zombie Monkey Hat crochet pattern by Darleen Hopkins http://www.ravelry.com/projects/DarleenHopkins/zombie-sock-monkey-attacks-hat-with-or-without-earflaps-2

Halos of Hope’s latest themed collection is ‘On Safari’ for Atlanta area children’s hospitals.  Basically, they are requesting any type of themed hat that can be found on safari or at the zoo.  They are collecting the hats and plan to distribute them while in town for Stitches South in April.  If you remember, last year they went ‘Under the Sea’.  So with this in mind, I peered into my yarn bin and that super soft, dark brown yarn I had no idea what to do with yelled out at me-MONKEY!  but not just any monkey, ZOMBIE MONKEY!! He’s a cute little guy with mismatched zombie button eyes.  I hope he brings a smile to a brave young man (or lady).

Lion Hat for Halos of Hope, used Zombie Monkey pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/zombie-sock-monkey-attacks-hat-with-or-without-earflapsThe second ball of yarn to call to me was this crazy Pomp-A-Doodle yarn.  I thought it would make a pretty good lion.  I had to get a little creative with this one.  Click on the photo to bring you to the project notes-you won’t believe what pattern I used!

Striped Stocking Hat from Candy Corn crochet pattern http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/candy-corn-earflap-hat-stocking-cap

My last hat to share was actually started in …2012… and I finished it up in February during the Winter Olympics (Ravellenic Games on Ravelry).  This is another hat where I got creative with the pattern as I used the Candy Corn Stocking Cap for this one.  I’m real please with it and it too will be donated to Halos of Hope when they are in town next month.  The three hats come in at 9 ounces.

Total hats made in 2014 challenge to date: 6

Total weight of the hats made in the 2014 challenge to date: 1 pound 1.25 ounces

2014 Stash Bust Challenge for Hope

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Update, February 2014 Stash Bust Challenge

Stash busting for Halos of Hope is in full swing.  It’s mid-February and I have two hats to share!  I’m so proud of myself for getting this month’s goal done early.  I *hope* to complete one or two more this month to catch up for last month.

Frostberry hat donated to Halos of Hope Puppy Hat crochet pattern by Darleen HopkinsThe first, The Frostberry Hat by Sarah Jane Designs, is a hat I started back in November, but had to put it down for a couple of months while I worked on other projects.  I made a couple unintentional adjustments to the pattern.  I really shouldn’t crochet while watching TV as I got my row counts off.  The hat still looks great even with the adjustments.  I love this pattern and plan to make another, as the pattern is written.

The second, The Happy Puppy Hat, was made for a co-worker’s daughter, Sarah, an adorable 2-year old, who is currently going through chemo treatments.  The little girl recently received a new puppy so I thought this Happy Puppy hat would put a smile on her little face.

The weight of the two hats came to 6.5 ounces

Total hats made in 2014 challenge to date: 3

Total weight of the hats made in the 2014 challenge to date: 8.25 ounces

Stash Bust for Hope 2014, January

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January 2014 Stash Busting for Hope Update

https://crochetbydarleenhopkins.com/category/2014-chemo-hat-challenge/ Shells and Trellis hat for Halos of Hope

Wow, only one month in and I’m already falling behind in my goals.  I’ll get there, I PROMISE!  I did manage to get one hat for Halos of Hope completed during January.   If you are on Ravelry, plynn (blog) has started a CAL/KAL forum for Halos of Hope hats.  Since I don’t really knit much, I’m participating in the CAL.  For January she chose the Shells and Trellis hat by Melody Hamor.  It is a really cute hat and easy pattern.  With a few modifications, you can use just about any yarn.  As always, I made a few tweaks.  You can read my notes on my project page.  This pattern has been on my radar and I’m glad to finally have had a reason to make it-thanks Pat!

Stash Bust 2014 hats made to date: 1

Total weight made to date: 1.75 ounces

Want to see more hats made for Halos of Hope?  Check out this Pinterest board!

Super Stitcher Goals for 2014 and a NEW Stash Busting for Hope Challenge

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Goodbye 2013, Hello 2014

Super Stitcher2013 was a great year for me crochet-wise.  I met some of my 2013 goals and completed a 6 pound stash bust challenge.  Crochet by Darleen Hopkins on Facebook is establishing a cozy community (come join us!), Pinterest is up and running and even a monthly Newsletter (Feelin’ Loopy) is getting ready for its second issue.  So what is there to accomplish in Crochetland for 2014?  LOTS!!  A few of my top goals or to-do’s for 2014 are listed below.  The Super Stitcher in me is determined to complete them all.

1) Complete the Crochet Guild of America’s Master Crochet Program.  I’ve signed up and received the materials, now it is time to start stitching.

2) Work from yarn stash and only purchase yarn when absolutely necessary for a specific project; don’t buy yarn just because it’s on sale!  This is ongoing.  I started it in 2013 and plan to continue until I can get this huge stash under control!

3) Stash Bust for Hope Challenge 2014.  This is my favorite goal.  Last year I crocheted 6 pounds of Bernat CottonTots into soft hats for Halos of Hope.  In addition to the 32 hats completed in that challenge, I also crocheted many other hats for Halos of Hope that were made from other stash yarns.  So this year I challenge myself to crochet 7 POUNDS of my stash yarn into soft hats for Halos of Hope stitching at least 2 hats a month and, like last year, post photos and report on the total stitched yarn weight.

4) Continue to work on left-handed crocheting.  Every once in a while I give this a try.  I’m not there yet but I’d like to be comfortable enough using my left hand so I may be able to one day teach a lefty.

2013 flew by in what seemed like a nanosecond. The years are going faster and faster and sometimes I feel like my hooks can’t keep up, but I’m going to try.  What are your crochet goals for 2014?  Be a Super Stitcher too and have fun with whatever you make.  Last, enjoy all the new year has to offer.

Darleen

Buy 2 Get 1 Free on Ravelry, Crochet by Darleen Hopkins