Downton Abbey Inspired Ruffle Brim Cloche

Have you ever tried to unravel a sweater? There are some great tutorials out there on how to do this. I just wish I could hand my sweaters over and have the darned tutorial just do this for me, lol! It's just not easy. I did get some fantastic yarn from a sweater I took apart, not sure if it was worth the trouble. You tell me, k? I made a beanie, a baby cocoon and this ruffle brim cloche and I still have some yarn left!

Edwardian style cloche

It's a pattern I made up, I will have to write this down sometime.

Edwardian style cloche

After I make another cloche, of course, so I can remember how I did this!

Edwardian style cloche

Do you see the detail on the brim? This was fun to do.

Edwardian style cloche

I love the ombre-ish pattern of the yarn.

Edwardian style cloche

This is a very warm hat. This would be fantastic for those in the midwest right now, not so much for here in California.

Edwardian style cloche

I will show the other stuff soon. I just need to find a baby to model the cocoon!

Gray Sequined Beanie

I love this beanie! The gray is soft and pretty. And it has sequins in the yarn! A little light bling in this one is way fun.

Gray sequined beanie

This is just a simple beanie pattern. Whatever is your favorite will work nicely.

Gray sequined beanie

Gray sequined beanie

Can you see the sparkles?

Gray sequined beanie

Gray sequined beanie

Gray sequined beanie

Cream Crocheted Turban

I've noticed that turban style beanies for women are getting pretty popular. I think they look much classier when they aren't sitting on the eyebrow like men's beanies. I like it pulled up a bit. I am looking for a good turban pattern but until then, here is what I have.

Crocheted turban

Here is my inspiration. I did not follow the pattern, instead just changing something I already use. It is a child's hat but I made mine adult sized.

Child's butterfly hat.

Seriously, how cute is she?? This hat looks so much better on her than it does on me.

Crocheted turban

Crocheted turban

Crocheted turban

This is a fun one to make. Its really fun to embellish with a brooch or a crocheted something or other. I did a lady bug for a Christmas gift. I was a total nerd and didn't photograph that one. Oh, well. Next time.

Men's Crocheted Beanie - Oakland Raiders Colors

I so love this beanie pattern, it is so easy that I have it memorized. That sure makes it easy for whipping these up while traveling or watching TV. I always just follow the stitch pattern, I throw in the color changes where ever I feel like or just make it solid. This Raiders hat was made with a size H hook, rather than the size I that the pattern calls for. I guess I tend to be a loose stitcher, everyone who wears these beanies has been rolling up the brim. So I tried this one a bit smaller and I love it. I used I Love This Yarn and ya know what? I do love that yarn! It is so nice and soft and it doesn't catch and snag on my skin like most other acrylics do. And the final product is nice, soft and stretchy.

I just did this stripe in three rows. Other Raider hats that I have made lately had two narrower stripes. I have been fairly random with these hats, I don't want the three generations of men wearing these to have to be all matchy-matchy.

Raiders inspired men's beanie

Raiders inspired men's beanie

I am getting better with my color joins. Yay!

Raiders inspired men's beanie

 * Almost * invisible.

Raiders inspired men's beanie

And here is my flapper hat from yesterday's post.  Matching hats - boy version and girl version! The boy beanies are cute and comfortable for girls, just not for this girl (pointing at myself). I think I look too manly in the beanie hats...... The person I have in mind for the flapper hat has a romantic style, I think it will suit her better than a beanie too.....

Raiders inspired women's hat

20's Inspired Flapper Hat

FINALLY!!! I found the cloche hat that I have been looking for! Yippee! I used this pattern but tweaked it a lot. That pattern called for 19 rows, all in HDC. Mine only has 14 rows, all in DC. 19 rows would have had it clear down to my chin, lol! In fact, next time I might eliminate a row and see how that goes. Or try a smaller hook. The hat is still just a tad big on me. I will write out the pattern here, if someone wants to test it and let me know how it goes, that would be awesome. This will be my first (written) pattern.

Roaring '20s inspired flapper hat

I used a 4 medium bulk yarn ( I Love This Yarn, found at Hobby Lobby) in a light gray for the first strand and a lighter bulk baby yarn in white with silver for the second strand. I used a K hook. I did not test for gauge. Hold both strands of yarn for the entire hat.

Row 1- create a loop for a magic ring. 10 SC into loop and sl at the beg of first sc. 10
Row 2- Ch 3 and 1 DC into same space. 2DC into each sc around. Sl st at top of first DC to join. 20
Row 3- Ch 3. 2 DC into next DC space. 1 DC into next DC space. 2 DC, 1DC, repeat all the way around and join round with a sl st at top of ch 3. 30
Row 4- Ch 3. 1 DC into next DC space. 2 DC into next DC space. 1 DC into next 2 DC space. 2 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, repeat all the way around and join with a sl st at top of ch 3. 40
Row 5- Ch 3. 1 DC into next 2 DC spaces. 2 DC into next DC space. 2DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, repeat all the way around and join with a sl st at top of ch 3. 50
Row 6- Ch 3. 1 DC into next 8 DC spaces. 2 DC into next DC space. 2DC, 1 DC x 8, repeat all the way around and join with a sl st at top of ch 3. 55
Row 7-10- Ch 3. 1 DC into next DC. Repeat all the way around and join with a sl st at top of ch 3. 55
Row 11- Ch 3. 1 DC into next 5 DC. DC next 2 sts tog. Repeat (1 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, 1DCTOG) all the way around and join with a sl st at top of chain 3. 48
Row 12- Ch 3. 1 DC into next 4 DC. DC next 2 sts tog. Repeat ( 1DC, 1 DC, 1 DC, 1DC, 1DCTOG) all the way around and join with a sl st at top of chain 3. 41
Row 13- Ch 3. 1 DC into next DC. Repeat all the way around and join with a sl st at top of ch 3. 41
Row 14- Ch 3. 2 DC into next DC. Repeat all the way around and join with a sl st at top of ch 3. Fasten off. 82

The band was made using a black 4 medium bulk yarn ( I Love This Yarn, found at Hobby Lobby) and a size K hook. Ch 4, turn and 1 DC into each post. Turn and 1 DC into back loop only. Repeat for a total of 30 rows. Fasted off, leaving a long tail. With a yarn needle, sew the band closed, without twisting. Sew the band on to the hat using the yarn tail.

Roaring '20s inspired flapper hat

Roaring '20s inspired flapper hat

 Isn't that white/silver yarn gorgeous mixed in? It gives it just the right amount of sparkle without looking garish.

Roaring '20s inspired flapper hat

You could do this in the round if that is your preference. Personally, I get lost when I work in the round. I feel much more comfortable joining rows. I am also not a huge fan of the twisty look that my work always seems to end up with as well when not joining rows.....

Roaring '20s inspired flapper hat

Roaring '20s inspired flapper hat

I think I will give this hat as a gift and make myself another one. Check back tomorrow to see the matching men's hat. Matching hats for a cute couple, yay! If their baby wore hats I would make her a mini flapper hat. But, alas, she doesn't. She gets the poncho.

Flower Beret

I did a lot of these last year. Love them. One of my favorite projects, really. The upcycled beret! I make these from sweaters. Sooooo fun.
I mentioned that I made a lot last year. Not a lot of them turned out well though. I have since learned that the material counts!! Now I only use cashmere or very soft cotton. I had used felted wool before but they turn out much too stiff . . . . . Men's sweaters and vests are good for this soft cotton.
One more thing, I have to make sure that the sweater has a good cuff. This is the only way to get a good band for the beret. Trust me. And, use the band from the same sweater as the material. Piecing together different sweaters rarely has the desired effect.

Floral beret

I didn't photograph the process but its easy enough to explain. Beginning with a large women's sweater or a men's sweater (size label doesn't matter here, just make sure the sweater isn't teeny tiny) you will want to remove the bottom cuff, leaving 1/4 inch above the cuff. You will then cut a 14 inch diameter circle from the body of the sweater. I actually made a compass with string and a pencil and cut this from paper first to use as my pattern. Pick up your cuff again and put it around your head. Really! You want to measure how much cuff you need to make a comfortable band. I can usually get two bands from a cuff. If that's the case for you, cut out the side seams for a clean band. Sew the band closed, making sure that the original bottom edge lines up perfectly.  Trim the edge of the seam. Now you will attach your circle to the band, lining the edge of the circle to just where the band begins. That 1/4 inch extra fabric that you left on the cuff will give you some good wiggle room here. Pleat the fabric evenly around and stretch the band to make the pleats fit nice and evenly. Pin as you go. You will then sew the whole thing together, inside out of course. Trim your threads and edges and you are good to go! Embellish as you like or leave plain. I embellished mine with blue wool, a reclaimed button and light gray embroidery thread.

Floral beret

Floral beret

Floral beret

If you find a crew neck or slight v-neck you can get two berets from one sweater. If there are no holes, etc.

Floral beret

This one was made from a 100% cotton sweater. I used to pass the cotton by but no more. It is so soft!!!

Floral beret

I always avoid acrylic. I despise static-ey hair. I would love to try angora. I'm afraid if I do then I will jinx us into a warm winter again. 'Cuz angora is a veeerrrry warm wool. Although I don't think California ever gets that cold.

Floral beret

If you think this is cute on my lovely model, you should see this on a small child. OMG, ADORBS!!! If you make this for the infant or preschool set, change your circle to 13 inches. And size your band accordingly.

So, are you going to try making your own? If you do, please send me a photo on my Facebook page, I would love to see it!!!



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