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

[helena visser]

Lucy, your are such an inspiration to me living here in Cape Town. I love your all your work and your SPIRIT!!

[jean little]

Hi Lucy! I made the hat and it turned out GREAT! Thank you so much for sharing....you are very generous. I've treated you to a well deserved coffee - you deserve it girl.

Kind regards

Jeano

[Sharon]

Beautiful & stunning job well done! Would love the pattern!

[Alison]

that's a lovely hat Lucy, very tempted to give it a try myself tho' not as skilled as you with the flowers. You're just the inspiration I need to get creative, thank you xxx

[Marloes]

Hi, love your hat. Juist startend with hooked and i'm hooked :) bult thuis loods very Well! Did you already write à tutorial? Would be Nice for my four Year old as Well.

Greetings from The netherlands

[Joanne Morrow]

Love your hat and the flower! Your flower sure does look better than the flowers I have been putting on my hats! Would love the pattern when you write it up! Great job!!

[DIANNE TROUT]

WHRE CAN I FIND THE FLOWER PATTERN?????

[Polly Jones]

Love the hat..but alas..I can't crochet... how much do.you charge to make me a hat just like this one..or change the colors due to creators choice...

Can't wait to.hear from.you...
Jennacis@gmail.com

Thanks.
Polly Jones

[Jacqueline]

As a teeny tiny head owner i appreciate your amazing hat you are tooo cute! Winter is getting closer on Cape Cod and the ocean breeze tells me make a hat... just might make yours! love it.

[Rhonda]

I would love to print instructions for your hat

[Nanou]

Vraiment adorable ce chapeau , beau travail

[Chris]

This hat is stunning! Do you offer a tutorial for the flowers yet?

[Sam]

Oh my goodness this is so fabulously awesome!!!!

[Andrina T]

It's adorable! How do you size it for the proper fit? Myself has a rather large melon! :)

[Vivian Manso]

we love Lucy and her hat! we want the flower tutorial of course!

[isabella]

fantastic hat :) Have you a sample also for gloves ?

Thanks and have you a god Easter !
Isabella

[Angela Reading]

Hi, I love this hat and made a different hat but followed the Happy Flower tutorial not realising it was for the wrong flower durr. It would be really great if you could put a tutorial for this one up plleeeaaaasssseee :o)

[Camille]

Your hat look beautyful, and YOU look beautyfull, together you are amaaaaaaiyzingly beautyfull ;0)))) Thank you for sharing it ;0)

Lots of Love and coulors from Denmark ;0)

[Stefani]

Beautiful hat and lovely picture of you in it! Did you create the tutorial and where might I find it? Thanks again for sharing all that you do.

[Mary Laughman]

Miss Lucy you are just so clever. I love your 30's looking hat and I think I will just have to try this myself. Thanks for this great idea.

[Cynthia]

Hi Lucy,

Have you a pattern for a child's poncho?

I have enjoyed making the flowers and leaves especially the triple flowers that you have posted.

Best wishes

Cynthia

[Jackie Marsh]

Just started re crocheting after many years, so looking for a easy but different project.

Really love the flowers and the colours are great.

Thanks for sharing, well definitely be trying this out.

[Gigi Lee]

Great use of flowers, love everything. Especially your wreaths. Thank you.

[Lynne Roper]

Lucy I love your blog, your style and your hat! Just taken up crochet again and am loving it. Your blog is inspirational, thank you.

[Hekkan Hekkel]

Gorgeous hat :)
Love your blog :)
Wishing you a peaceful Christmas from snowy Norway :)
- KristiN -