Back to hats

On By CarynIn Craft

When I have a plethora of yarn remnants on hand, I default to making hats. I like to experiment with different stitches and construction methods, and it uses up the yarn in a useful and quick way. This round, I’m exploring the folded brim. Making a hat longer than necessary, then folding it up to double over the ears does a better job keeping ears toasty and warm than a single layer.

Photo description: off-white acrylic crocheted hat showing the full length
Photo description: same hat with a brim folded up

I constructed the hat with double crochets in concentric circles, then for the brim did single crochet in the back loop and changed direction each round. This makes for a lovely squishy accordion-like fabric.

I do wonder if I could achieve the same effect crocheting in the back loop one round and the front loop the second round, to avoid the awkward turnaround where I tend to accidentally add stitches. Hm.

All wrapped up

On By CarynIn Craft
Photo description: mesh basket full of hand wound balls of acrylic yarn
Photo description: mesh basket full of wound cakes of acrylic yarn

I finished rewinding all the yarn remnants into cakes. It might not make a long term difference in the neatness of the stash, but it soothes my soul to have them all center-pull. We’re all different.

Throwback Thursday: stamped bracelets

On By CarynIn Craft

In December 2016 I was all about the stamped aluminum bracelets.

Photo description: bracelet stamping tools: steel wool, metal letter stamps, dead blow hammer, pencil, finishing wax, steel stamping block, aluminum bracelet blanks, forming pliers
Photo description: nine stamped aluminum bracelets laid out on black velvet

The next level for this craft is using tools for alignment so the words come out straight every time. Pencil layouts can only take you so far.

I did have fun finding sayings that fit on the bracelets.

Shave ‘Em Two Save ‘Em Circle Vest

On By CarynIn Craft

I crocheted several more rows onto LazyTCrochet’s circle vest pattern, past the “plus size” listed in the instructions. I followed the general feel of the pattern up to that point, and crocheted until I ran out of my hand-spun Teeswater yarn. It was still feeling small and tight.

Photo description: Circle vest crocheted from hand-spun Jacob and Teeswater wool showing three color variations, dilute calico cat photo bomb

I do have more Teeswater roving, but need to spin it up. I decided to tie off the row and weave in the ends, then give the vest a good soak with some gentle fabric wash. I laid it out to dry on a homemade PVC and nylon mesh drying rack.

Photo description: same vest laid out to dry

The stitches relaxed and the vest increased in size.

Photo description: same vest after blocking

It is now a wearable garment. The wool feels softer after blocking and has a beautiful drape. I call this my “Shave ‘Em Two Save ‘Em” vest because both Jacob and Teeswater sheep are on the Livestock Conservancy list of Heritage Sheep. Jacob is Threatened and Teeswater is considered Critical.

Photo description: same vest hanging on a cedar hanger to show the drape

I’m rather excited that I have created something I will actually wear and supports farmers raising endangered heritage breeds.

Still three

On By CarynIn chickens

Chicken update: I still have three chickens. I had a scare the other day, one of the hens tucked herself under the supplementary coop and didn’t move when I came to give treats. When I touched her tail feathers she woke up and was rather offended at being touched.

Photo description: black star hen and two Faverolle hens in the run outside the coop