Crochet Brioche Hat

The weather finally wormed up here in New York and I am getting out of  my hibernation mood.
Even though the project I am about to present was done the day after I last posted on this blog, I only get to show it today (yes, that's how bad energy preserving I've been))).  I was still experimenting with the split stitch. Something about it got me fascinated. I played around with that idea and decided to try a change of colors. But I can assure you that even with that extra step the project is super fun and extremely quick. It took me a couple of hours to finish it!  Here is the Brioche Hat.

Even though made with a hook it resembles the knitted brioche stitch. The hat was worked in the round and gathered at the top. You can add a pom pom made with one of the colors or both. You can also turn it into a cowl (narrow, so you can pull it over you head or pretty wide, so you can wrap it a couple of times around your neck). Keep in mind while working with two colors you will create a yarn float on the back of your piece. This might make your hat less stretchy.

I used the Icelandic Wool. It's very warm, but you can see at the picture how hairy it is. Working with two colors is a bit tricky, so here is a video to help you practice (found on youtube)

Here is the Crochet Brioche Hat instruction:
You can use any yarn you'd like. You probably want to use 2 contrasting colors (A and B)
I don't even want to go through the gauge for this project, especially that I didn't have one. I simply made a chain (multiple of 2 plus 1) and made sure it goes comfortably around my head. However, if you are the one with the gauge compulsion ))) you can make a swatch before hands.

Set up row: chain 81 (or whatever goes around your head, just remember: multiple of 2 plus 1) with color A.  With the same color sc in the second chain from the hook, sc in each chain to the end. You will have 80 sc all together.
ROW 1 (start working in the round spiral method) : you can place a marker indicating the beginning of the row.  Sc with A in the next sc, sc with B in the next sc. Notice, that the first row is worked in regular single crochet.
ROW 2: Move the marker. SPLIT SC with A in the next sc,  SPLIT SC with B in the next sc.
Work for the desired length. Finish off by gathering the top and adding a pom pom (or not :)).
Good luck!

HOOK: 4.5 mm
YARN: Lettlopi Icelandic Wool

Mock Rib Cowl

After having finished the mittens in the previous post I was thinking about the elongated stitch I was using. It creates a nice checkered pattern reminiscent of knitted seed stitch or moss stitch. But what if I used it in a different way, lets say, placing the long stitches on top of each other... After a couple of tries I created a very interesting pattern that is similar of a knitted ribbing. The elongated stitch becomes a split stitch instead. The hook should not be inserted into the top of the stitch, but rather into the stitch below splitting it in half creating a V. These Vs placed on top of each other form the pattern of vertical ridges.  Let me show you a cowl made of the same yarn as mittens to complement them.

Here is a close up.

Looks so much like two by one ribbing! However, the fabric made is not even close to elasticity of a knitted one and has no dimension.

It doesn't mean the disadvantages necessarily. I would prefer this mock rib for the crochet fabric instead of a more traditional front post crochet, which curls dramatically and still has no elasticity. I also would rather work with this stitch for the mittens from the previous post mainly because I wouldn't have to turn the fabric for the main body and wouldn't be forced to insert the hook into the selvage. However, if this stitch is used as a ribbing (in mittens, hats or socks) I recommend using a smaller hook just for this part to crochet a tighter fit. 

Here is the Cowl How-To:

Depending on the desired width chain a multiple of 3+1. I had 106.

Start with a single crochet into the second chain from the hook.

Work the first row of single crochet. Total of 105.

Make a circle. I prefer this method. Working with a complete row of single crochet allows you to make a circle without twisting it. The chain alone might get confusing. 

Working in a spiral method (placing a marker at the beginning of each row)

2 split single crochet 1 single crochet.

Work for a preferred length.

That is so easy!!!

If you decide to make it I would love for you to share it here! Questions are welcome!

Yarn--Feederbrook Farm 100% Bluefaced Leicester Wool

Hook--4mm

Yarnbox

As a Christmas gift I got a subscription to Yarnbox (Thank you Kat and Inna). Yesterday I received my first shipment! Two skeins of Feederbrook Farm's Bluefaced Leicester Wool. I know how popular the multicolored yarn is, however I find it quite difficult to work with. Particularly if you are trying to work in a pattern. Therefore I prefer rather underwhelming patters for such yarns.

On the other hand, I didn't want to bore you (and myself for that matter) with another single crochet all around. I decided to give my project some texture by mimicking a knitted seed stitch. Here  is what i got.

 Working in the round on an odd number of stitches in spiral method. Working the first and the second row in sc. All the following rows are done this way: sc in the next sc, sc in the sc 2 rows below*, creating an elongated stitch. Now you can see the checkered pattern emerges.

Since I already imitate a knitting stitch, my project should be as close to a knitted one as possible. Here is what I made.

As you can see the pointy top of the mittens is traditional for Norwegian patterns. I didn't work it by equally decreasing the number of stitches, but used the knitting method: decreasing 4 stitches at 2 specific points on the left and right side of the mitten every other row with the same number of stitches in between those points. 

It shows better on this picture, modeled by my cat Sally.

The ribbing is traditional single crochet through the back loop.

This stitch would look great on a cowl, leg- or hand-warmers and a hat. Basically anything that can be worked in a round. 

Yarn--1 ball of Feederbrook Farm Bluefaced Leicester Wool

Hook--4mm

A little bit of knitting

Even though  I've been known as Crochet Queen, I am quite good at knitting too. With the cold season, my friend's Birthday and VKL approaching I was involved into a few projects that required two tools instead of one. By the way if you go to this web page you will see a lovely picture of my friend Darrin looking at some yarn. I am standing next to him. Unfortunately you cannot see a pleated skirt that I made, but Darrin's gorgeous knitted vest is popping. And yes, HE MADE IT!

Back to my projects. They weren't THAT elaborated. I prefer simplicity therefore my style would be described as Malevich' Black Square of knitwear fashion.  First I made a pair of hand warmers for my friend.

Worked in garter stitch about 8 inches wide and 6 inches tall and sewn up.

Leaving a small thumb opening. 

My friend is modeling them  (I am assuming at the store--she texted me a picture))))).

And just to prove how lazy I am I will tell you that these warmers were made to complement a hat I knitted for her 2 (!!!) years ago!

Here she is rocking a hat. Her daughter told her that in this hat she looks like a rich person))). I will take it as a complement))). 

Speaking of hats. I made one for myself. Using the same garter stitch as in warmers I worked  a piece of knitted fabric for 21 inches tall and 12-13 inches wide. Saw the side seams and gathered the top. 

 As you can see mine is totally representing my slouchy "not-a-rich-person" style (compare at my friend's sleeky and sophisticated). 

For the hand warmers:

Needles--8

Yarn --Lion Brand Wool Ease in Oxford Grey

For the hat:

Needles--6

Yarn--Un-spun Icelandic in Silver 

Rhinebeck skirt

             Every time I go to a yarn fair I aim at the fibers I am not able to find in NYC. I know, it seems that there is nothing you wouldn't be able to find in the city, but trust me it misses some of the yarn snob vitals. Last year at the Vogue Knitting Week I treated myself to extremely nice yarn from Windy Valley Muskox. (One day my dear friend Darrin and I will move to a farm to raise muskox and spin one of the most expensive fibers in the world)))).  The yarn was sitting in my stash for a few months before I decided I wanted to make a skirt for my trip to Rhinebeck. Once it was done I was really looking forward to show it off. The night before the trip I was checking the weather and was so angry to find out that we should expect 68F! Forget the wool (or for that matter, qiviut, which is 8 times warmer than wool!) and pull out your cotton! I still got to wear my cardigan, but had to figure something else instead of a skirt. 

Those of you who attended the event must understand how much I hate those jokers from the weather channel! It was freezing! However I fought my way through the cold by jumping from barn to barn and fondling some precious. Also don't forget the scenery--it's breathtaking!

Even though the skirt didn't make it to Rhinebeck it still deserves to be shown :)

It was crochet from the top down. I used 1mm hook and started with 330 dc working back and forth increasing evenly every 5th row to 350 for the yoke, finishing the last couple of rows in the round. It created the slit for the closure. For the next row I worked 1dc ch1 into each dc (700 st in total) to create the fuller body of the skirt. Kept on working in filet till the desired length (19"). For the closure I used 5 round buttons. The bottom of the skirt was embellished with the ribbon weaved in between dc into ch1 space. 

The skirt and the cardigan are modeled by my friend Gunel. 

Rhinebeck pictures are taken by my friend Darrin.

Yarn--Majestic Blend from Windy Valley--a little over 9 balls 

Hook-- 1mm

Buttons and ribbon--M&J Trimmings

Pineapples

Confession needs to be made: I hate pineapple crochet stitch. It's Justin Bieber of crochet world. It's everywhere and it's annoying. Only a lazy crocheter didn't make a dress that appeared on a cover of Cosmopolitan magazine several years ago (or a true hater, I guess)))).

No doubt the stitch is beautiful, but its popularity turned it into a joke.
Another confession to make: I DID crochet a pineapple skirt designed by Doris Chan. And you won't believe how many complements I get every time I wear it!

And yet here I am declaring my hatred for the pineapple stitch. The heart wants what the heart wants...

A few months ago I happened to stumble upon a stitch called Antique Pineapple Stitch. "Another one of those,"-I thought, but clicked on the link provided. And it was nothing I expected to see. This 1900's crochet stitch has absolutely no resemblance of a familiar shape and looks more like a knit stitch rather then crochet. It is worked in the round (or break off at the end of each row as suggested by Manual) over 1 row repeat. I immediately grabbed my hook and the first yarn I could reach just to try the new technique.
The results are modeled by my friend Gunel:

For those of you who are interested I am posting the instructions:

Make a chain.

1st Row - Draw yarn through 4th stitch from hook, skip 1 chain, draw through next chain and draw through the 3 loops on hook; chain 1. * Draw loop through the same stitch as last loop, skip 1 chain, draw through next chain, draw through the 3 loops on hook; chain 1. Repeat from * to end of row. Break off.

2nd Row - Fasten yarn through chain of 1st row; chain 4. Draw loop through 1st space, through 2nd space, through the 3 loops on hook; chain 1. * Draw loop through space last used, through next space, through 3 loops on hook; chain 1. Repeat from * to end of row. Break off. Repeat 2nd row.

Source: Woolco Knitting & Crocheting Manual

Mine looks much fluffier because I used Lion Brand Baby Alpaca (Auburn).

Hook--6 (4mm)

Long time

Yes, I have to admit that I cheated on my blog... with doctor House! Oh boy! All 8 seasons at once! Absolutely no time to write. But guess what--plenty of time to crochet in front of the screen.  Right before I got sunk in Dr. House's big blue eyes I had some fun time with my dear friend Darrin. We happened to walk around alphabet city and stopped by one of my favorite yarn stores in NYC-- Downtown Yarns. Rita, the owner, was so sweet and gave me 40% (!!!) discount on Italian cotton I spotted immediately on one of the shelves. I suspect she just wanted to get rid of some old stuff and I seemed like a good "hooker" to take home those rejectees. My friend however swore to me on the cover of Vogue magazine that this is the ultra trendy color and I believe her.

Since the yarn has such saturated plum color I decided to go easy on the stitch pattern and picked something rather underwhelming. Once the swatch was made and basic calculations were done, I simply pulled out one of my best fitted cardigans and followed the measurements to be sure the new one would be exactly the same (fit-wise, of course, not the design-wise))). From time to time I was matching what was on the hook to the original and making notes on the counts of the stitches, so sleeves and two front halves would be identical. The hole process took me about one season of House, M.D. (I guess 5-6 days plus blocking).

And here is the piece I am going to wear for NYC Sheep and Wool Festival.

Can you guys keep a secret? I am making a skirt to complete the outfit)))


Yarn--Isager  6 balls
Color--36 (plum)
Hook--2.5
Buttons--1/2"