Hats and More Hats

Here are the hats for my friend's family.  Two woodsy hats for the boys and a brown and woodsy one for Dad.  A pink beret for Mom and daughter with matching scarves.  Now everyone's heads will be warm.  It was fun to make these with a goal in mind.  They are shipping today for a Tuesday arrival.  Have to make a few more hats for the local charity event and then some fingerless gloves for the new swap and then either finish the afghan I've been working on for several months OR start something new.  Whew! I looked in my closet and discovered I have lots of yarn to choose from so I'm ready for the next request, whether a baby outfit or a sweater or just about anything.  I love to crochet!!!

Hats, Baby Afghans, and Fingerless Gloves--New Projects

Yippee!  It is now December and everything is looking better.  Our weather is crisp and cold but bright and sunny.  It improves everyone's spirits when the sun shines.  I am hard at work on some new and meaningful projects.  A friend asked for a baby afghan and it is almost finished.  Another friend asked for two hats for some special people in her life and one is finished and the other will be ready next week.  I plan on making a scarf or some gloves to go with each hat.  So, as long as my yarn doesn't run out I'll be crocheting into the future.  I'm not worried about using up my stash since I keep buying new yarns and never getting around to using them before I buy more new yarn.  Only limitation is my closet and you'd be amazed at what you can get into a closet when you hang it in plastic bags.  If I would finally give up on the golf clubs, I'd have twice as much room.  Hmmm, now there is an idea for end of year clean-out.  We haven't used these clubs in 20 years and I think the chance that we'll ever use them is pretty slim.  Just think of the yarn I could store if the two sets of clubs were gone!!!  In the meantime, there is plenty of yarn to keep me crocheting for a long time.  The golf clubs may still have to go though.

Hats Galore! Bats, too! Happy Halloween!

There used to be a store in Annapolis called 'Hats in Your Belfry' and that would be appropriate for today's blog. I've been making hats out of every imaginable yarn I could find. I used up all the Artist Print and managed to eke out 7 berets. Then I started in with Ranch and Lipstick and managed to make 5 more plus the trim on the shawl. Then, I found a smidge of Frosty (very pale green) so trimmed one of the Artist Print hats and made a short neck warmer. I'd say I've done everything possible to use up my stash BUT STILL IT PERSISTS!!! Although, now it is the old, old yarn along with the new and all fits in the closet and none is on couch so I am making progress. Note to self: Must stay away from yarn sales. Just one more collection of beiges to go and then I can work with some older but coordinated colors. Sigh! That will be nice. So today's pictures show all the hats along with the new as yet unnamed mannequin. A friend has tried some names out but they don't hit me. Besides she (the mannequin) may be not long for my world. She is too wobbly and I'm toying -- get that -- with getting a plastic one that is sturdier. We'll see. For now, it just sits in the corner wearing a rejected hat and a shawl made to use up yarn for color. If I don't stress her, she is fine but she can't model heavy items like sweaters. My web site is current as of today so guess that brings me up to date. You can take a gander at it if the mood strikes you.

Mannequin Addition to Tools

Well, after serving as the living model for all these past photos all these years, I decided to get a mannequin to display my crochet items. After spending most of a day searching the web for an inexpensive one (most were over $100 and I thought that was too much for a 'toy' to hold yarn), I found an inflatable site with lots of choices for less than $50. I purchased a torso shape, including the head and arms so that I could show off sweaters and hats.... see the picture. She is a bit wobbly since she is full of air (ha) so I may have to buy a solid one with a face that won't reflect the flash from the camera. We'll see. Let's not lose track of the reason for the purchase which was to better show off my crochet items, not to show off the mannequin's face. But, as you know, these cutsy things have a life of their own so don't be surprised if you don't see a much more sophisticated model here sooner than later. I remember a movie that took place in a department store where the mannequin came to life and became real.... at least at night in the dark of the department store. But, I digress! This inflatable model works well for hats but doesn't hold up very well with a sweater. Even the shawl in the picture caused her distress (to wobble) which is why I figure I may have to move up to a solid variety but that's a ways off. For now, this one will do. What to name her??? Hmmm. Maybe Missy Aarie in keeping with her lighter than air personality. It's always something isn't it?