I got this really cute crochet pattern from elsiecake at A Beautiful Mess for a super easy winter hat. First, let me say that she's one of my new favorite crafting gurus. Now, I chose to use my Lion Brand Wool-Ease yarn in spice and an M 13 (9.0 mm) hook for the first one. I wanted it to have a chunky look and that it does. It's done in the single crochet stitch. It was pretty much like making a scarf but shorter one way and wider the other. It's a bonnet style with braided cords to secure it and a pom pom (yep, I made that too) in Bernat Softee Chunky natural. 


Do I love it? I'm not too thrilled with how it turned out but my husband had to remind me that I have big hair. It looks like a helmet! But what did I expect? I gots BIG ass hair. I really could have crocheted about 3 fewer rows of single stitches. On the positive, it is quite warm and will be great for the few more below freezing days I can expect in Memphis. elsiecake used a finer gauge yarn but I know my hat would fit wider regardless. Next I'll make one for the kid in his favorite color--green.


Note to natural hair wearers: I know y'all are wondering why on earth I would wear that hair gobbling hat no matter how cold sit gets. Well, I got a little trick and it's better than a scarf. It's one of those hideous thin turbans found in most beauty supply stores. It does not cover all of my hair or even stay on my head while sleeping, but I knew I'd find a use for it one day. It has a snug enough fit that it discreetly covers my crown under unlined hats without the bulk of a scarf. And so that i don't lose it or reveal my secret, I use one of those tiny gold safety pins to secure it to the hat so they come off together.

So, this was supposed to be a post about my third crocheted scarf. A super cute apple green scarf that I was going to adore so much that I gave it to my mom. However, the damn yarn jumped funky with me and I had to shut that project down. Me and the Lion's Brand Homespun yarn are not meant to be together yet...maybe never. This yarn is textured and was hard for me, a newbie, to work with. I had to redo my chain stitches several times before I could "see" the chains in which to begin my single stitching. There's no give in this yarn either. I like how instantly gratifying crocheting is and the eye tricks from this textured yarn are kind of a buzz kill. I'm so emotionally wounded right now by this failed relationship. 

Some retail therapy trippin' went down at Michaels and I rebounded with eight sexy new skeins of yarn. I cozied up to five new hooks as well. I still didn't go off like I wanted to building my yarn stash but I won't complain especially after I only spent thirty-five bucks on all of that. Stay tuned for a few cutie patootie accessories I'll be trying my hand at in the coming weeks. 

Here's the rundown...
New yarn stash:
Red Heart soft in paprika
Bernat softee chunky in natural
Loops & Threads Impeccable in chocolate
Lion Brand Wool-Ease in spice, pine, lemongrass, and navy
Loops & Threads Charisma in dark purple

New hooks:
Susan Bates Crystalites
L 11 (8.0)
M 13 (9.0)
N 15 (10.0)
P 16 (11.5)

Boye
Q (15.75)

Happy hooking!