My buddy Willow likes to keep me busy. Which is great! I am on the hunt for a proper, cute Christmas bonnet and also a hat, scarf and mitten set. Needless to say I will probably be creating that myself adapting various patterns. Its usually like that with children's patterns. You find a bonnet you like but there's no matching pieces. That's just fine. Adapting patterns really isn't as hard as one might think.

But back to Vintage. Yes, I said everything that is old is new again. Well, looking for a bonnet I came upon Lion Brand Yarns recent upload to Ravelry of a knitting and crochet book of patterns from 1912! Oh give me more Lion Brand! The beauty of this upload is that its the entire book right down to stitch techniques. You say, hey aren't stitch techniques always the same? Well for the most part yes but let's say you come across a puff stitch. Everyone has a different version of the puff stitch mostly consisting of more yarn overs and drawing up extra loops on the hook. The way the patterns are written they are referencing their techniques and without those details the patterns would be pretty difficult to achieve. I have never seen patterns written in such short-hand. They're efficient but I did find myself wondering often if I had enough stitches on the hook per the pattern and just winging it. That's why I always do what I call a "comp" of every design I try the first time. This is an opportunity to work out the kinks.

Another interesting problem with a pattern from 1912 is all the yarns are just not made any more. This pattern called for Eider Wool. No information was provided about the weight of the yarn or standard hook/needle sizes for it. I spent some time researching online and found others trying to figure out what the weight was and came to the conclusion that Eider Wool is a #5 Bulky yarn.

The next challenge - hook sizes. Yes they list them. Use a No 9 hook or a No 2 hook. Guess what. We don't refer to hooks like that any more. Its all mm and alphabets mainly. That lead me into researching hooks and I learned a lot of about the history of crochet hooks. Mainly that the patent for modern hooks started in 1912 (strangely the same year of our pattern). I never did find a conversion chart for No 9 equals the following modern hook. So I just used a hook that was appropriate to the yarn weight.

All that being said, thank goodness for Ravelry because I can jot all that information down when I uploaded a project for that bonnet. All the dirty details are in there. I didn't use a bulky weight yarn for starters. I used a heavier worsted weight but for the size bonnet I wanted that was perfect. The pattern makes a child's size bonnet and I wanted a toddler.

Here is the link to the pattern and the book:
A Manual of Worsted Work

Here are my modifications. Using a 6.0mm (J) hook I did the following:

1. I used a worsted weight yarn. A bulkier one. I used Big Twists Premium yarn but another similar weight choice would be Red Heart with Love.
   
   
2. I added one more increase row with an increase every third stitch.
3. I used single crochet on first row edging instead of slip stitch. I did my single crochet all the way round.
4. At the neck portion of the trim, I turned at the end of the 1st single crochet round and did another single crochet row. Turned, Ch2 and did a HDC row. Turned again and did another single crochet row.
   
   
5. I threaded the ribbon through the HDC row on the neck.
   
   

One of the best things about crochet is its versatility. I know many people love knitting and don't get me wrong I like it too. But when it comes to make adorable pieces like these, knitting just can't compete. :-)

This little kitty may stay here or be part of tomorrow's give-away. I haven't decided yet. I get so attached to these little critters. I think I will just have to make another one for myself.

As for the owl cozy, this is my first attempt at branching out my crochet. I have long stuck to very traditional crochet using only yarn and buttons as embellishments. But then I discovered a couple of designers on Ravelry that were incorporating beads, buttons, fabric and  embroidery in their work. The result is so whimsical and personal it was exactly what I was looking for. The missing piece as it were to what I have been doing. This cozy is destined for tomorrow's give-away. In fact its the sole reason I made it. I will have to take a few moments to jot down the directions for the owl pieces before the party. I hope whomever wins this tomorrow falls in love with it as much as I have.

OMG! I don't even know what to say. Here's my little model! Isn't she adorable!!!! :-)

Let's face it, I'm on a roll and since I have this pattern hiding on an unpublished page from the old site, I thought I'd bring it back.

Free! Enjoy. 

Yarn: Yarn Bee, First Love, Hobby Lobby
Weight: Bulky (5)
Hook size: J (6.0 mm)

Stitches Used: (American)
Slip Stitch (sl st)
Single crochet (sc)
Double crochet (dc)
Front Post Half-double Crochet (fphdc)
Back Post Half-double Crochet (bphdc)

First chain in each round does not count as a stitch
Crochet in rounds

Pattern:

• ​Row 1: Chain 2
• Row 2: 12 sc in second chain from hook, join with sl st. (12 sc)
• ​Row 3: Chain 2, 2 dc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first dc. (24 dc)
• Row 4: Chain 2, *1 dc in next stitch, 2 dc in next stitch* repeat until end, join with sl st to first dc. (36 dc)
• Row 5: Chain 2, *1 dc in next 3 stitches, 2 dc in next stitch* repeat until end,  1 dc in last stitch, join with sl st to first dc.  (45 dc)
• Row 6-10: Chain 2, 1 dc in each stitch around, jin with slip st to first dc. (45 dc)
• Row 11: Chain 1, 1 sc in each stitch around, join with sl st to first sc. (45 sc)
• Row 12-13: Chain 2, *fphdc in next stitch, bphdc in next stitch* repeat until end, join with sl st to first fphdc. (23 fphdc, 22 bphdc)

Weave in ends

A pattern. Say it ain't so. Well it is. I am making crochet headbands for the upcoming craft fair and through some modification I came up with this simple pattern. It's lovely. You can use any size hook, any weight yarn, any width just do the chains in multiples of threes.

For the photo pattern
Hook F (3.75 mm)
Vanna's Choice (#4 worsted weight)

Chain 9

• R1: Slip stitch into 3rd chain from hook. Chain 3. Skip 2 stitches and slip stitch into 3rd stitch. Chain 3. Skip 2 stitches. Slip stitch into last chain. Should be 3 loops. Chain 3. Turn.
• R2: Slip stitch into 2nd chain of each loop. Chain 3. Turn.
• Repeat R2 until you reach the desired length.
• Whip stitch the ends together. Weave in yarn.

That's it. A very simple but versatile headband. It also has a nice stretch to it for fitting snugly to your head.

Since I really hate it when a pattern maker says make length to fit whomever's head it's being made for, I am adding this link from Bev's Country Cottage for average head sizes for all ages. Thank you Bev! You're a lifesaver.

Bev's Size Chart for Hats and Headbands

Oh. Pattern is free. Make it, sell it, go mad! :-)

There's no doubt about it, even when you just want to do a tinsy winsy little craft fair, just one, its a load of work. Tables, display features, filling the submission forms, getting the web sites updated, making a new web site... lots of work. Hopefully this year, teaming up with In Bloom will prove a winning combination for me this year. Last year in Lake Geneva it was a bust, mainly because there weren't any customers and the ones that were there only wanted to spend $5 on anything. Seriously.

I need to say this for artists and craftsmen everywhere: our work takes time and we put lots of love into it. Wanting to only pay $5 for original work is really... well you fill in the adjective. Materials alone often cost that much. So for all you lovelies coming to fairs or wanting to purchase oh say a custom made ballgown (see Laura Meyer's beauties), please take the time to evaluate the work behind that purchase. I think you'll agree that original clothing and accessories are worth every penny. :-)