Acknowledging Imperfection!

Acknowledgement

Yes, I admit I am not perfect...

SIMPLY PERFECT!

Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication

~ Leonardo da Vinci

SIMPLE PIXIE HAT

Take a simple crochet hat pattern and create the perfect accessory for your darling newborn. Nothing could be simpler. 

I designed these pixie hats and used to sell them at Spitalfields Markets in London and Northern Rivers markets (Byron Bay, Bangalow, Channon, Mullumbimby and Brunswick Heads) in Australia. They were always popular as gifts for newborns as well as everyday wear for babies and toddlers. 

You can now make these too using my PIXIE BABE Crochet Hat Pattern.

Simple colours, simple shape and a simple, elegant result - Simply Perfect.

ADD  a lovely simple pair of mittens and you have the perfect gift for that special newborn.

I loved making the newborn pixie hats and mittens from one of Australia's softest 100% cotton yarns available from Bendigo Woollen Mills in Victoria, Australia.  Do check out their website you won't be disappointed, so many yarns available in 200gram balls at a great price.

SIMPLE BABY MITTENS

These baby mittens are ever so simple to make, the pattern is part of another newborn hat and mittens pattern which does not include the pixie hat pattern.  Hopefully in the future I will include the mittens pattern with PIXIE BABE.

PIXIE BABE Crochet Hat Pattern

is available from my online stores

ETSY            CRAFTSY           RAVELRY

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HOME SWEET HOME!

CROCKNIT is now home from her whirlwind trip of UK ....

TRAVELLING ALL OVER THE COUNTRYSIDE

CROCKNIT IS TOURING

PATTERNS and SPECIAL OFFERS

Time for offerings...

Love to crochet hats? headbands? wristbands? scarves? .... yes?

WHERE'S THE PAGE?

I'm sorry...  so sorry...

If you recently visited my website via a link from this blog or other site and you found yourself on the wrong page - and wondered WTF?

STRIPES ARE US!

Mourning stripes..

Early last week, in the very early hours of the day, whilst attempting to update my website, my laptop expired.

Various attempts at revival failed dismally with the annoying beeping sounds bellowing from the black screen.

With despair and disbelief, I reluctantly accepted the inevitable - a trip to the local "fix it" place.  A mere two hours later and the bad news hailed - the motherboard - "she is kaput" - and considering the age of the laptop (44 months) plus the cost of labour, advice was that I be better to replace it with a new laptop!

Basically I was NOT happy! 

All my docs where retrieved and downloaded onto my external hard drive and 24hrs later I took possession of the remains.

To console myself, what else could I do but crochet, and inbetween I had to spend time getting up to speed with my husband's laptop, with all it's bells and whistles, and Windows 7.  Nothing like getting taken out of my comfort zone, having to download software I had become dependent on and familiar with, and having to share a laptop. OMG !

Simple pleasures!

So with all the technological stuff going on I really needed an escape into a  simple creative project and I found myself creating a simple stripes pattern which can be used in a number of ways.

Firstly, I will introduce you to the Crochet Hat "Simple Stripes" 

It is the perfect sun hat - bucket style with alternating colours and varying stripe widths. Absolutely simple and all you need is a knowledge of colour change.

PATTERN DETAILS:
Basic stitches are single, half double and reverse crochet.  
YARN:  King Cole "Bamboo Cotton" 
HOOK: 4.5mm 

SIZE:  The hat will fit 45.5cm (18in) to 50.8cm (20in) head circumference.  
TERMINOLOGY: Pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Included is the "Flower Brooch" pattern and an adjustable drawstring for the perfect fit.  
This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

Secondly, is the Crochet Hat "Persimmon Stripes"

A simple crochet hat pattern with a turn-up brim and Perfect Heart Brooch and featuring the alternating colours and varying stripe widths.

PATTERN DETAILS:
YARN: Rowan "Belle Organic DK"
HOOK: 4.5mm
SIZES: The hat will fit 44.5cm (17.5in) to 48cm (19in) head circumference.
TERMINOLOGY: Pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Included is the "Perfect Heart Brooch" pattern.
This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

Thirdly,  to cater for the little boys in our lives Crochet Hat "Bucket Stripes"

It is the brother of Crochet Hat "Simple Stripes" -  the perfect bucket sun hat for your little man, with alternating colours and varying stripe widths.

PATTERN DETAILS:

YARN: Bendigo Cotton 8ply
HOOK: 4.5mm
TERMINLOGY: Pattern is written in US crochet terms.

Included is a "Starfish Motif" pattern and an adjustable drawstring for the perfect fit.

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

Optimism reins!

So, there you have it... whilst one door had closed (laptop dying), another door had opened (a flurry of crochet hat patterns) now on with the not so interesting stuff, proof-reading the pattern and checking, checking, and re-checking. Ho Hum!

Ciao! Ciao!

Celebrations Over

Time to gather my thoughts

The Easter long weekend now seems so long ago, and the "big day" the Royal Wedding is now past history, and I am happy to report WE MANAGED TO CELEBRATE THE WEDDING IN STYLE.

Celebrating the Royal Wedding - William and Kate

It is now time to get back to some serious crocheting before the next big calendar event, which will be the end of May and the arrival of my daughter from Australia woo hoo! I am so excited, to the point of distraction. It's a real effort to focus on new crochet designs right now, so many other things to get ready and to do.

New Crochet Hat Pattern

However, with all this extra-curricular activity I still managed to design another crochet sun hat, have a look.

The pattern is called "Crochet Hat SAILS" and is available from my RAVELRY store.

It is one of my favourite texture patterns, it looks like sails on the water or on the other hand it can also look like two-tone triangular leaves.

However you view this crochet stitch, it is definitely an interesting little textured pattern. PATTERN NOTE: This pattern requires patience, and would suit those with intermediate crochet skills.

Crochet Covers for Wedges

In the meantime, I have also been crocheting covers for my two foam wedges which I use to help support my lower back, especially good to use in the car, and a must when I am crocheting.

I used three strands of yarn for the cover mainly for strength and thickness.

Aran Wool Blend in navy blue, a tan coloured 3ply and a multi-coloured blue 3ply yarn. Using up my stash yarns,  and crocheting with a 5mm hook to achieve a compact  fabric.  Especially since it will be sat on quite a bit!  LOL

The first cover is finished and already in the car, and I am now working my way through the second wedge cover,  which will be made with Cream Aran yarn instead of the blue and I will continue using the tan and multi-coloured blue (both these yarns are on cones).

Crochet Coffee Cozy

I am also in the final stages of crocheting a coffee cozy to fit a Bodum Coffee Plunger - slightly tricky it's for a friend and my coffee plunger is not the same size or style.

Here's a photo of "WIP" and I am hoping the colours will match her kitchen.

The yarn is Sirdar CROFTER DK "Fair Isle Effect" which of course when crocheted results in a totally different pattern to when knitted, also I used two strands held together for extra thickness, and using a 5mm hook for compact texture.

Crochet Flower Brooch

This week's "quickie" crochet project - my flower brooch for the jacket which I wore for the Royal Wedding celebrations.

The centre of flower crocheted with two strands: one strand of Sirdar Snuggly "Baby Bamboo" a blend of 80% bamboo and 20% wool PLUS  one strand of cotton with gold metallic thread, for a hint of glitter.

Petals of the flower crocheted with Sirdar "Just Bamboo" 100% bamboo and using a 3.5mm hook for some rigidity, because the bamboo yarn is very soft and floppy.  The outer edge petals and the inner petals also edged in cotton and gold metallic single crochet for some sparkling contrast.

This flower pattern is available with my GREEN SHRIMP Hat Pattern, you can find it in my online stores. 

ETSY            RAVELRY

So for now, that is it, I am furiously ploughing through the foam wedge cover and enjoying the spring weather.  

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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SPRING Sun Hats!

Sunny Days

After a long grey winter the sun is here - and also the need for protection from harmful UV rays!

Funny really, we long for the sun and then when it is here we need protection!  And the best solution is to wear a hat - and for total comfort and breathability make it cotton!

Of course, we also have sun protection lotions, sunglasses, umbrellas, and the rest - but what about your little bundle of joy sitting in the stroller or sitting in that sling (baby carrier)?

A lovely cotton sun hat is the best answer, and for many years I have had requests from mums wanting cotton sun hats for their babies from as young as three (3) months, because even though they are not sitting yet, they are being carried by mum or dad in a sling/carrier on chest or back.  So obviously sun protection in the form of a soft cotton hat is the perfect solution!

Favourite Sun Hat Patterns

Here are the most favourited and most popular sun hats from my collection of crochet sun hat patterns.  

All sun hat patterns are available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY 

1.  SPRING Sun Hat Crochet Pattern

A perfectly simple crochet sun hat pattern comprised of just three (3) simple stitch rows to achieve the decorative little pattern.  Adjustable drawstring gives you a perfect fit every time.

SKILL LEVEL: Easy Intermediate - need to know colour change, and working in rounds.

Yarn: Bendigo Cotton 8ply (or similar cotton yarn)

Hook: 4.5mm

Measurements: One size: Three (3) months PLUS (depending on head size).

Terminology: US crochet terms

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

SPRING Sun Hat Pattern is available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY 

2. SUNSHINE Sun Hat Crochet Pattern

Simple crochet sun hat pattern for your baby. Perfect sun protection. Adjustable drawstring gives you a perfect fit every time.

You can have a play with this pattern, choose your colours and make it striped, plain or use blocks of colour.  

Pattern instructions also include hints on up-sizing. 

FLOWER PATTERN NOT INCLUDED.

SKILL LEVEL: Easy - need to know working in rounds.

Yarn:  Bendigo Cotton 8ply (or similar yarn)

Hook:  4.5mm

Measurements:  One size: Three (3) months PLUS 

Terminology:  US crochet terms

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

SUNSHINE Sun Hat Pattern is available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY  

3.  STRIPES Sun Hat Crochet Pattern

Simply Perfect STRIPES - Perfect sun hat (bucket style) for summer, and a perfect beanie hat with turn-up brim for winter. Adjustable drawstring gives you a perfect fit every time.

Pattern includes full-instructions for each hat.

Three (3) motifs included: Starfish, Heart and Flower.

SKILL LEVEL: Easy - working in the round and knowledge of colour change needed.

Yarn: Bendigo Cotton 8ply; OR King Cole Bamboo Cotton; OR Rowan Belle Organic DK; or similar yarn.

Hook: 4.5mm

Measurements: One size: Twelve (12) months PLUS (hat size can be adjusted)

Terminology: US crochet terms

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

STRIPES Sun Hat Pattern is available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY   

4.  BLOSSOM Sun Hat Crochet Pattern

A beautiful and colourful crochet sun hat pattern which includes three (3) sizes, baby, toddler and child, with a lovely wide brim.

This pattern is available in USA AMERICAN crochet terms and UK BRITISH crochet terms. 

PLEASE SELECT THE CORRECT PATTERN TERMINOLOGY prior to purchase.

SKILL LEVEL: Intermediate - need to know colour change, working in rounds.

YARN: Bendigo Woollen Mills; Heirloom Cotton 8ply; OR any other similar cotton yarn

HOOK: 4.5mm (7)

SIZES: Three (3) sizes - Baby/Toddler/Child

TERMINOLOGY: USA crochet terms OR UK crochet terms.

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

BLOSSOM Sun Hat Pattern is available from my online stores:  CRAFTSY   RAVELRY   

Patterns are available from my online stores

CRAFTSY        RAVELRY   

Enjoy!

ciao, ciao!

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet   www.crocknit.com
(C) Copyright - All rights reserved.

Spring Blossoms in UK

Each day a new discovery!  

I love springtime in the UK, when everything is bursting to life with vibrant colours. Each walk finds glorious new blossoms on show and even when walking down the same old street we discover more and more trees and shrubs in full bloom!

SPRINGTIME CROCHET INSPIRATION

So with all this spring blossom and sunshine, I have now started on designing some new crochet sun hats for the coming of those amazing sunny days.

SUN HAT DETAILS

I am using one of my favourite 100% cotton yarns from Bendigo Woollen Mills, it is ever so soft and really comfortable to wear and perfectly special for your little one!

I have focused my crochet sun hat patterns for the three (3) months plus age group, however, having said that, these patterns can be easily modified for larger head sizes also.

Here's a little peek of the first sun hat pattern to be released in next few days.  It's called SPRING Sun Hat Pattern. Pattern will be available from my online stores - 

CRAFTSY         ETSY         RAVELRY 

PATTERN DETAILS

Perfectly simple crochet sun hat pattern, with drawstring for perfect fit.  

SKILL: Easy
Yarn: Bendigo Cotton 8ply (or similar yarn)
Hook: 4.5mm
Measurements: 3 months PLUS (depending on head size)
Terminology: USA  American Crochet Terms

This pattern can be adapted to other yarns.

This new SPRING sun hat pattern is a bit more involved than my previous long standing Crochet Sun Hat Pattern called SUNSHINE which I have been making for many years now (SEE BELOW).

SUNSHINE Crochet Sun Hat Pattern is simple, versatile and very adaptable to different yarns and can be easily modified for larger head sizes also. You can make it plain or striped.  It's all up to you - play and have some creative fun with it!

Pattern is available from my online stores - 

CRAFTSY         ETSY         RAVELRY 

OK you may want to follow the pattern the first time, but then once it is done, go ahead and make it using a different yarn and hook size, or adjust the number of stitches to achieve a smaller or larger fitting. It's all fun, and experimentation is always good!

Here are a few examples of how you can change the look with some stripes, using the basic sun hat pattern.

WHAT YOU CAN DO

You can learn so much VERY QUICKLY, especially from the ones you crochet and then rip. ALWAYS remember to enjoy yourself and enjoy the beautiful spring weather, wherever you are, maybe it's a bit soon for some, but hey it's coming, and soon you'll be complaining about the heat!

Enjoy!
Ciao, ciao!

Copyright © 2008

Barbara Summers Hand Knit and Crochet.

All rights reserved.

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