I made A Hat :: Ta-dah!

 

I have wanted to make a hat for the past few head-freezingly cold winters, but have always been a little bit too self conscious to do anything about it. I have a small head and wasn't sure what type of hat would actually suit me, and sometimes the more you think about something, the harder it can seem. There are soooo many patterns to be found on t'internet aren't there? I've looked at a gazillion hat patterns in the past few weeks, but just couldn't decide what to do. Nothing inspired me, nothing really seemed quite right for me and my diddy little child sized head somehow. Child hats too childish. Grown up hats too chunky/slouchy/trendy/naff/peaky/nerdy. So I did what I often do and dived in feet first with hook and yarn and embarked on my very own Lucy-hat.

I kind of had my bag in mind (!) crazy as it sounds. I thought that I could make a flat circle, then stop increasing to make the sides happen. Then possibly a little bit of a flare at the bottom edge. Not quite a beanie, and not quite a cloche. Something in between.

I used Rico Essentials Merino Dk, on a 4mm hook.

I worked 8 rounds/6 inches of flat circle in UK treble crochet (US double crochet).

Then I stopped increasing and worked 9 more rows of trebles. I kept measuring it on my head as I worked, trying to judge how tall to make it.

After the 9 rows, I was kind of down to where I thought a band would look nice running around, so I switched colours and worked two darker rows with a spacer row in between.

Then another row of straight trebles. The hat was about an inch above my eyebrows at this point, so time to introduce a weeny bit of a flare/brim. Just a small one. I added in some increase stitches in this row :: I worked 3 tr's then an increase, 3 tr's then an increase etc. Just enough to widen the bottom without making it ruffle.

The bottom edge started to naturally curl and roll up, but I really liked the effect of it, kind of a happy accident really. So to make allowance for the roll, I worked 3 more rows of straight trebles. And that was it. Done. A hat! I made a hat!!

Now, this is a Lucy-hat, so it wouldn't really be finished without a little extra embellishment, would it? I mean, I resisted the (tremendously strong) urge to work in multi coloured stripes (only two colours!), but there was definitely a little more pizazz needed.  I started by taking a long double strand of green yarn and working a simple running stitch around, weaving the needle in and out of the crochet stitches. Oh boy, such huuuuuugely satisfying work! LOveD doing that row of stitchy/weaving!

Time for a coffee and a ponder on what more was needed.......

Mmmmmmmmmmmmm. That coffee is sooooo good. 

It came to me then :: a flower was needed. A happy kind of multi-layered flower. Not too small. Quite flamboyant. Leaves? And some buttons maybe? Yes, yes. It'll be a bit quirky, but it will really make the hat.

I hooked up a few flower samples, some too big and floppy, some too curly and tight. But eventually I got it about right......

Oooooooooooh! Pretty flowery goodness! I also made some leaves using the pattern I designed for the Happy Flower decoration, they worked out just right size-wise.

This is how it looked when it was stitched in place.....

.....so happy with how it turned out! It certainly is very Lucy-esque don't you think?



Err...........think I should say a skippy proud Ta-dah?!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I have to tell you, I adore the flower I created. Love, love, love it. I wondered for a little while whether I should have played safe and made the flower in shades of blue to co-ordinate rather than contrast with the hat. But where's the fun in being co-ordinated?! Much better to go for an all out bit of zing.

It's a Good Hat, it fits my head well. It feels snug and warm. And I feel comfy and relaxed wearing it, which is a big deal for me.

Very, very hard to get a decent hatty picture of myself, but I did my best. Actually, I feel a bit foolish showing you cos I'm certainly not trying to say Hey Look At ME! But.....but I am quite honestly proud of my hooky hatty efforts.

I've worn the hat every day since I finished it. Every day. I've had lots of compliments. And most importantly, the Little People seem to like it and aren't remotely embarassed by their quirky mother in her hand made hat. Phew.

I've been making some more of these pretty layered flowers as I have a large crochet Christmas Wreath in mind...I'm thinking similar to the May Rose Wreath, but with a mixture of flowers, holly, mistletoe, berries, baubles, bells, stars...and maybe a bird or two.

If you'd like me to, I'm going to write up the pattern and make a tutorial for this flower in the next few days. And speaking of tutorials, am also hoping to write one up for the Bower Bird very soon as well....am currently sampling a slightly smaller, fatter version suitable for use as a Christmas Decoration.

Gosh, I do l♥ve doing what I do.

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Comments

[Margaret]

Love - love -love this hat! I have been on a hat making kick recently making chemo hats for a friend. I am going to add this one as well. Thank You!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Margaret

P.S. it Looks great on you!

[Ann]

That is a very, very cool hat. Love the flower and leaves. Nice job.

[Cate Davis]

Lovely!! It really suits you and goes well with your coat!

Please do write up a tutorial,
Cate x

[Amanda]

Your hat looks fantastic on you, pure Lucy x wonderful x

[Louise]

Love your hat Lucy. Well done!! It is so you!!

[Adaliza]

Love that hat! I've just been scouring the internet for a pattern as I bought some amazing New Forest Mohair (angora) today in a delicious deep raspberry pink. Didn't know what to make and was tempted by a little bear from Cute'n Easy Crochet, but now it's definitely head-bound! Yours is just perfect - suits you!

[Sarah west mids uk]

Dear Lucy I love your hat!! The flower would make a lovely brooch as well.
Christmas wreath sounds good. Sarah Ravenish but Lucy crochet style!!
Look forward to that Have one holly leaf crocheted already!
Have a good week. xx

[Becca]

LOVE IT! It looks great on you! Very "Lucy" ... I have made several hats but always lack the guts to add any decoration, yours looks so fabulous maybe I'll give it a try now! Always an inspiration :) looking forward to the bower birds tutorial!

[Laura]

Wow, what a fab hat! I especially love the flower - going for a colourful zing was definately a good idea :) I'd love to see a tutorial for that flower please. Your tutorials are just amazing - I re-taught myself to crochet using some of them, so thanks!!

[Bev]

Lucy, this is wonderful and just 'you'. So wish I could look that good in one!. The flowers are 'the icing on the hat'..... fab!!

[Kathy, FRANCE]

I LURVE the hat Lucy - it's so you!! you have such great ideas and manage to finish off so well rather than over done or under done - well done you!!
Seriously though!! when are you going to start on a book - I would certainly buy it and so, I'm sure, would your many loyal fans out there!!

[Renee]

Lovely hat Lucy, you are super talented. How's your book going - can't wait for it xx

[reSIRIkulert]

Lovely hat! ;)

[Melissa Davin-Smith]

Hi Lucy! Love the hat! I've just mentioned it on my FB page too x hope you had a lovely weekend x :)

[micheleD]

Hi Lucy ! This hat is too nice. You always crochet so pretty things. I love very much your blog. Thank you for all the good ideas you give us like a present.

Michèle from France

[cecilia]

Beautiful result!

[Jus]

Its a lovely lovely hat! And yes please for the tutorial!

[Claire]

Fabulous.
Perfect compliment to your coat.
Did it take long?

[Sonia @ fabricandflowersuk]

What a fab hat! Love it :) I always have a couple of handmade hats to hand - a lacy one for the 'fresh' mornings and a thick woolly one for the 'it's way to cold to be outside' mornings! The flower is just beautiful x

[Kate J.]

You make the sweetest thing! <3

[5ladybird lane]

Wow really love the hat. I too debate whether I can wear a hat or not, but as the weather gets cooler !!!! Sarah

[Nikki]

Fantastic hat Lucy!! Such an inspirational Blog. Looking forward to the tutorials : )

[Julia]

I love it. It reminds me a lot of the hats worn in the 1920's - the chic is the same.
Really, really beautiful :)

[Panhandle Jane]

I love that hat!

[Penny Peberdy]

And what a fabulous hat it is! With such a sweet flower - of course we all want the pattern!