My last post stated “I’ve got some funky fun fur that needs to used…” and this is the result of the first fun fur hat in 2015. It’s pretty stretchy and should fit most about 8 years old and up. I’m hopeful it will find a home to someone with a unique sense of humor. This hat weights 2.25 ounces.
Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 4
Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date:
8.25 ounces
One of my favorite 100% acrylic yarns to use is Lion Brand’s Vanna’s Choice, a great aran/heavy worsted weight yarn. With its bright colors and easy care wash-ability, it is often my yarn of choice for baby blankets, throws and hat and scarf sets. Even my kitty loves Vanna’s Choice! Not everything you make with this yarn will need blocking. However, when you do make an acrylic item that would benefit from blocking, don’t fear.
Blocking acrylic can be done and is easy. To block acrylic, you must subject the fiber to heat in the form of steam. Some call it KILLING ACRYLIC, and in many ways, this is accurate in that you do permanently alter the fabric. The heat “melts” the fibers together to create the blocked shape. If this is done properly and accurately, you will not notice anything more than a beautifully finished item. So how do you do this?
First, what do you need?
Step One
Pin the item to the blocking boards. This is the time to stretch it to shape, open up lace and even out the edges. For this scarf, I just want to remove the curl. I’m not interested in stretching or opening up the stitches. I like the ribbing and want to keep it as is.
Step Two
Attack with steam. Keep the iron or the garment steamer head about 1/4 to 1/2 inch away from the fabric. Work the steam over the entire item and use your fingers to make adjustments if necessary (do not place your fingers in direct steam, it will burn you). I found it is NOT necessary to soak the garment. Just damp is fine. For this scarf, I steamed the entire scarf but spent additional time on the edges as that is my area of concern.
Step Three
Allow to dry, mostly, then repeat on the other side. I had a couple of sections that did get soaked. I didn’t worry about them drying. When the damp parts were mostly dry, about 20 minutes or so, I flipped it over and repeated. As you can see by the photos, the scarf is laying pretty flat and there was no need to pin. Giving it a second attack of steam on the other side will finalize the blocking. Now allow it to fully dry and you are done!
Your finished product will now look like a polished and beautiful handmade work of art!
Glacier scarf before blocking
Glacier scarf after blocking
Remember, blocking or killing acrylic is permanent. There will be items you don’t want to block as you wont want them to lose their stretch-ability. You won’t want to do this on something that is crocheted with negative ease. The sample scarf has a ribbing stitch pattern. It is purely decorative and not necessary for stretching. The coordinating hat also uses a similar ribbing stitch pattern however it is necessary for the hat to have give and stretch for proper fit. I would not want to block the hat as I would not want to remove this necessary design feature of the hat.
Blocking shouldn’t be something to fear but you do need to be aware that it does permanently change the crocheted item. Therefore, go slow. You can always block some more but if you do too much, you could end up with something you hadn’t planned for.
It’s a new year and therefore time for a new challenge. A couple of years ago I decided I was going to work on busting out some of my stash yarn and make hats for chemo donation. My 2013 Stash Bust Challenge was focused on a box full of Bernat CottonTots yarn. I ended up crocheting 5 pounds, 15.5 ounces of it into 32 hats for Halos of Hope or other charitable donation. I had also crocheted other hats for donation in different yarn that I didn’t include in the count. I was pretty busy with hats that year. Last year’s challenge didn’t focus on any yarn in particular, just random yarn in my stash. Last year I made 24 hats out of 5 pounds, 4.25 ounces! I must have made some pretty heavy hats!
It would seem that most of my stash yarn would be close to gone at this point. Sadly, no. I still have too many boxes of yarn. So 2015 will once again be all about working from stash yarn for charitable causes. This year’s goal will be a minimum of 24 hats and 5 pounds of yarn. I’ve got some funky fun fur that needs to used and a ton of cotton and cotton-blends that will be perfect for chemo hats. I also hope to make a lapghan or two.
Let’s start this challenge off with the first 3 hats of 2015 completed!
The first is called End’s Swell. I won this pattern in the Gift-A-Long on Ravelry last month. It is stitched with slip stitches which was totally new to me. The final result is adorable. The pattern is a great way to use up smaller leftovers without having to work in a million ends. I can see making more of these in random stripes as leftovers come available.
Next is another Divine Hat. This is a great pattern and my third one. I used Caron Simply Soft for this one. It looks great but, going forward, I’ll use thinner yarns when making this pattern. I loved it in Caron Spa.
Last is a Happy Puppy. Last month I re-worked the pattern in Vanna’s Choice by Lion Brand. I also re-formatted the pattern and took new pictures. The pattern was originally written with Bernat Denim Style-a great cotton/acrylic blend. Unfortunately this yarn has been discontinued. I (of course) have a few skeins of it in my stash and found this hat partially finished. Because Denim Style is super soft and perfect for chemo hats, I finished it and will include it in my next batch of hats to Halos of Hope.
This 2015 challenge is on and off for a good start!
The three hats weigh 7 ounces.
Total hats made in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 3
Total weight of yarn used in the 2015 Stash Bust Challenge to date: 7 ounces
Critter Hat
December 31, 2014 and my last hat of the year for the 2014 Stash Bust Challenge was just finished. I didn’t think I’d have time for another hat this year but then remembered this hat I had started a couple of months ago and hadn’t finished. There’s a reason I didn’t finish it…fun fur/eyelash yarn. I’m not a fan of this type of yarn but for some reason (clearance aisle a few years ago!) there are a few skeins of this stuff in my possession. UGH. There’s no pattern for this critter. I just made a hat. As it progressed it was kinda large so I added some super bulky yarn as an edging to tighten it up. Then, to use up what was left, made some ears-why not?-to create a critter of some sort. The edging part is pretty tight on Buffy’s head so I’m hoping it will fit a large child. The good news is I used up all the super bulky and the dark blue fur yarn, less than a yard leftover of each, and created a hat some child will (hopefully) like. The bad news, I have more of this fur stuff, lots more.
This hat weighs 4.25 ounces.
Total hats made in the 2014 Stash Bust Challenge: 24
Total weight of the hats made for donation in 2014: 5 pounds, 4.25 ounces!
Check back in a week or so for a new 2015 Challenge!
Here’s the second hat for December in my 2014 Stash Bust Challenge. This is the Cable and Rib Slouchy Hat from Red Heart. I really like this pattern. It uses short rows for the crown shaping and it’s pretty easy. When I was a little more than half-way through I realized I wouldn’t have enough purple yarn (Caron Simply Soft) so I added the blocks of cream to get the needed circumference. The only other modification I made was a slight adjustment to the brim. I’d like to add a pom-pom but I’m going to wait until I have a chance to crochet another Divine Hat with the remaining cream yarn as I don’t want to run short. If there’s enough cream left over, I’ll make a pom-pom for this hat. If not, it looks good as is!
This hat weighs 3.5 ounces.
Total hats made in the 2014 Stash Bust Challenge: 23
Total weight of the hats to date: 5 pounds!
I’m still plugging away at my Stash Bust Challenge. I’m beginning to realize I won’t be making 7 pounds worth of hats but that’s OK. I’ll make what I can. This is my second Winter Tracks hat, designed by Sarah Jane. The hat is written to have a brim. I was so tired and so excited to finish the hat last night that I completely forgot to add it. Oh well, I think it looks great with and without so I’m going to leave it as it. Great pattern! Gotta go, I need to get stitching…
This hat weighs 4.75 ounces.
Total hats made in the
2014 Stash Bust Challenge: 22
Total weight of the
hats to date: 4 pounds, 12.5 ounces.
Two more hats for donation completed in November! Whoo-Hoo! These two cuties will be donated locally. I had an almost full skein of white Red Heart Super Saver in my stash. This isn’t the best yarn for chemo hats so I wasn’t sure what to do with it. Then I received notification that this year’s White Christmas has a Frozen theme. Every year the employees of the local university where I work collect A LOT of food and toys (White Christmas) for those who live in the town and are in need. So, I decided to make an Elsa hat for the collection. I’m pleased to have found a charitable use for this yarn. And because it will be worn by a child who will have hair, this yarn should be OK.
For the hat, I used my Chirp! Chirp! Tweet! Tweet! Hat Baby Bird, Chick, Bluebird, Cardinal you pick hat. I added the hair and crown.
The Ninja Turtle hat was crocheted with Red Heart Super Saver also. I hope it will go to a young boy who will have fun with it. I have a lot more of this green and I wish I had the time to make more Ninja Turtle hats. If I still have the yarn next November, I just may make another turtle or two for the collection next year.
The two hats weigh just over 7 ounces.
Total hats made in the
2014 Stash Bust Challenge: 21
Total weight of the
hats to date: 4 pounds, 7.75 ounces.
One of the great things about the Gift-A-Long on Ravelry is the opportunity to get to know other designers. Today I had the pleasure of interviewing Cynthia Levy, a knitting designer. Many of Cynthia designs incorporate amazing and lovely cabling. She has published a number of beautiful knit sock patterns as well as some quick-to-knit designs that would be perfect for the holidays that are fast approaching. After you get to know her a little bit better, check out her gift suggestions and get stitching!
I’ve been knitting ever since I was a pre-teen figure skater. I considered it essential to have a sweater and mittens to coordinate with every skating outfit and the best way to collect them was to make them myself. The first thing I actually remember knitting was a fair isle yoke sweater to match a skating skirt. My mother was used to my habit of jumping right into a complex project, instead of ever starting a new hobby with something simple, so she agreeably purchased the yarn and delegated any necessary assistance to my grandmother.
Snow Flurry Mittens by Cynthia Levy (Redtiger)
One of my favorite original designs is Snow Flurry Mittens. I live in the Canadian sub-arctic and -40C is normal winter weather. Anything warm and cozy is bound to be well loved by me. The pattern was a bit of a challenge to get just right so I’m quite proud of it. The snowflake pattern is worked with the mitten held inside-out, so that the pattern stitch can be easily accomplished in the round, and a variety of needle sizes are used to accommodate the gauges of the various stitches.
I absolutely adore Julia Farwell Clay’s Bartok Tunic pattern published in Interweave Knits Spring 2013. I fell in love with the pattern the second I saw it. I made my tunic in the yarn and colors specified in the magazine, but shortened the length and narrowed the sleeves. It’s the most comfortable sweater ever and garners compliments everywhere.
I have a real weakness for double-pointed sock needles. My current favorites are Knitters Pride Karbonz and Kollage square needles. And I have recently become a fan of pretty stitch markers. I recently acquired some stitch markers from Caliope’s Fibre that make me happy whenever I look at them.
If I’m not knitting or designing, I’m probably toiling away at my more than full-time day job. But if I’m not working or knitting, I certainly won’t be idle. My husband is a private pilot so our summers are dedicated to enjoying our little Cessna floatplane. My other activities include pottery, quilting, weaving, tole painting and stained glass, as well as fishing, camping, hiking, gardening, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling. Too many interests, too little time!
The best place to find me is on Ravelry as redtiger. I spend way too much time gazing at all the great patterns and yarn displayed there. My original designs are available through my shops on Ravelry, Craftsy and Patternfish. I’m also on Twitter as Redtigerdesigns.
Thank you Cynthia! Your designs are beautiful and inspiring. I’m a huge fan of your gorgeous cabling. Keep warm (-40C !!!) and happy stitching!
A Gift-A-Long Hat for Halos of HopeTwo weeks ago I mentioned the Gift-A-Long that is occurring on Ravelry. This is such a fun event, please check it out. It is still going strong through Dec. 31, 2014. The participants are having a lot fun sharing their WIPs, FOs and random thoughts. You never know what you might find or learn there; lots of new designers and patterns as well as learning what Vegemite and Marmite are. I gotta try this stuff!
While searching the GAL crochet designers, I discovered this beautiful hat by Betty Fay Wallace, La Villa Lace Brim Slouch Hat, and just had to try it. I’m so pleased with the hat. I haven’t made anything like this before. It is crocheted in mercerized cotton and it is gorgeous. With three more hanks of this same yarn in my stash it is very likely I will make more of these.
This hat weighs 3.5 ounces. This is my fourth hat this month. There’s one week left in November and I have a goal to make a couple more!
Total hats made in the 2014 Stash Bust Challenge: 20
Total weight of the hats to date: 4 pounds, 4.25 ounces.
Third week of November and I have one more hat to be donated to Halos of Hope! This is the striped version of the Bentley Hat I made in September. I finally wrote the pattern down and it is now available.
Although the pattern is written for Cascade Yarns Bentley, I made this one in Caron Simply Soft. For some reason have 2 more skeins of the mauve so you will be seeing more pink hats in the future!
This hat weighs 3.75 ounces. I’ve made over 4 pounds so far-it’s going to be tough to make the full 7 pounds in 2014 but I’ll keep on trying.
Total hats made in the 2014 Stash Bust Challenge: 19
Total weight of the hats to date: 4 pounds, .75 ounces.
Crochet By Darleen Hopkins 