Designing a Hat

I didn't mean to design a hat. I'd never even crocheted a hat before until just a few months ago. I tried a couple of patterns that I found online, but none of them were quite what I was looking for. I modified one thing and then another and then ripped back and started over again, and again, and again.

The stitch pattern was relatively easy. I made an afghan years ago with a simple crocheted cable like this one. I no longer have that afghan or the pattern that I used, but I was able to recreate the cable after a few minutes of experimenting.

The hard part was the overall shape. I wanted a beret shape. Not a perky beret, but a slouchy beret. I wanted it to cover my ears, and I wanted to be able to tuck all of my (waist-length) hair into it; but I didn't want it to be enormous. So I crocheted and ripped and crocheted and ripped and set that one aside and started another, and crocheted and ripped some more--and eventually I had it, the almost-perfect slouchy beret.
Once I had the pattern the way I wanted it, I made three; one in a light grey lambswool for myself, and the two shown above for my Etsy shop. The charcoal gray one is made of lambswool, and the brown of merino wool. All three, of course, were made with recycled yarns salvaged from thrift store sweaters.

Now I just need to write down the pattern before I move on to the next project. I'd rather not, because pattern-writing is tedious, but I know that if I don't, I'll wish I had.

I was featured...

Sally on Etsy has included my aqua recycled-yarn coasters in this lovely treasury. Isn't it nice? Click on the picture to be taken to the treasury on Etsy.

Fall is Here

Fall is finally visible here in Texas...a bit later than in the Midwest, where I used to live. The fall colors here aren't as obvious and amazing as they were back in Indiana, but you know what? Instead of being bone-chillingly cold and rainy, it's delightfully warm, breezy, and sunny. So I have no complaints whatsoever.

My two children and I went on a walk this morning, and I remembered to take my camera.

Right around the corner from our house...

Perfectly imperfect.

Of coasters and things

For a while, I put aside my plastic bag crochet projects, and worked with recycled yarns instead. I've made a few of these coasters--they're quick and easy and make me smile. :) If you would like the pattern, I'll probably be listing it in my Etsy supply shop before too long.

This red coaster reminds me of poinsettias.

I made these in sets of four and listed them in my Etsy shop. I'll have to make another set of red ones to keep for myself, because they match our couch perfectly.

Currently underway: I've pulled out the plastic bags again, and am crocheting a colorful coin purse. I think I'll be making a few of these. I'll post some pictures next week.

Roses in November

I'm new to south Texas; I've only been here a year. So the gorgeous weather in October and November is still a novelty to me. I'm delighted to see roses blooming in November. The other day, I walked through a rose garden in a park downtown and took a few pictures.

I love the glow of the sunlight through the petals.

Brilliant blue skies...

And more blue skies. This one makes me smile inside.

Moving south has changed not only my eating habits (I love me some Tex-Mex) but my artistic sensibilities as well. I used to avoid bold colors, but now I'm finding myself drawn to them. It must be the sunshine.

I need a new bag!

For the past couple of years, I've been using this plarn tote as my every day bag. Everywhere I go, it goes.


It's held up well, but at this point, I think I'm ready for a new bag. Something bigger, and with longer straps; and while I did add a lining with a pocket to this one, I need more pockets. Lots of pockets.

I have a few bags in progress right now, and I'm not sure yet which one will be my new every day bag. Maybe it will be this one. This one is quite a bit bigger than the one I'm using now.


I've finished the bag and handles since I took this picture, but I still need to add a lining. With pockets. Lots of pockets. I think I'm going to try doing a zippered pocket, too, for the first time.

Once it's done, I'll load my things into it and see how I feel about it. I might decide to go with something even bigger. If so, this one will go into my Etsy shop.

My Favorite Spot to Craft

Once a week or so, I have a few hours of free time to spend in downtown Houston. I usually head to my favorite spot in Hermann Park, where I read, think, and crochet with plarn. Yesterday, I thought to take my camera.

This is my favorite spot. I sit in the cool shade and enjoy the breeze coming off the water. In the background is the Texas Medical Center.

The view from my spot. There are usually a few paddleboats on the pond, but the day was winding down by the time I took this picture.

These guys (and a few seagulls, and squirrels, and turtles) keep me company while I work.

Here's the project I was working on yesterday. I think this is going to be a new diaper bag. My last one (also crocheted from plarn) wore out from several years of heavy use. I didn't toss it, though--I unraveled it and used the good sections of plarn to finish another project. Plarn is really easy to unravel and re-use.

Do you have a favorite spot to work on your craft?