Pattern Review: The Hungry Caterpillar

My friend asked me to make a hat for her son's first birthday. The theme was the hungry caterpillar, and she wanted a hat for him to wear. I found this pattern from cRAfterchick and followed her directions. I was really happy with the results!

This was a different kind of project for me, because I had never used polyfill before. I'm glad I got the chance to buy a bag of it, so now I can do other projects like amigurumis and other stuffed parts for beanies. 

I wish I took more pictures of the party. All the snacks were themed from the book too, with apples, pears, plums, strawberries, and oranges.

 

They even had awesome cupcakes!

Tasty colorful cupcake at a one year old birthday party #yum

A photo posted by Lorenzo Cantera (@lcgram) on May 10, 2015 at 2:33pm PDT

The birthday boy seemed to enjoy throwing the beanie around and making me pick it up.

At least his older brother wanted to take pictures with the beanie on his head. I think I will have to make one for him too!

Visor Beanie - Pattern Review

Finally, I feel free to write posts again! Believe me, that crochet block was difficult to overcome. Here's how it all started.

I told a friend on Facebook that I wanted to make a hat for her son in May. I was a part of my Summer Hat Challenge (#1 and #2). She was asking for different yarn, and I was looking for a good brim hat pattern. I didn't realize how much of a struggle that would be! I tried at least 5 different patterns. I knew how to change the radius of the hat, but I couldn't find a good sturdy brim. I even tried to add plastic to one brim to make it secure. Obviously it was a fail.

Browsing on Ravelry, I found this free Visor Beanie pattern from Suzanne Steiger. The website is no longer available, but if you have a Ravelry account you can get the PDF.

I tried the pattern with the original size J crochet hook. I don't know if it was the yarn or my stitches, but the hat came out 22 inches, larger than what was written.

The brim is two pieces crocheted directly on the hat and single crocheted together. I prefer making one full piece instead of having a few pieces and sewing together.

My boyfriend took a selfie wearing the hat. He always loves to try on my projects.

I tried the pattern again with an I hook, making sure I reduced a few rounds in the beginning circle. I stopped increasing at round 5, and I kept going in the round instead of joining. In the light blue section to the end of the hat I did a slip stitch join.

Summer Hat Challenge: Update #2

While I'm working on the plarn bag this week, I might as well update my summer hat challenge post from last month. Check out the other hats I made in the Summer Hat Challenge: Update #1.

This is the Lady Mary Sun Hat by Danyel Pink Designs. I won this pattern from one of her giveaway. I always try to test the pattern to see of it simple enough for me to do. Most of the times I look at the difficulty level, but if I read over the pattern I can get a sense of how difficult it will be for me. The Pink and White hat was eventually given to a friend as a baby shower gift.

I made two more toddler sized hats for these beautiful twins.

I took a little break from kids hats and made 2 more ribbed mens hats from my favorite pattern at Eating Out Loud. The left one is for my brother in Chile and the right one is for a missionary friend in Ukraine.

I found this bear hat pattern from Oombawka Designs. I used Caron Simply Soft yarn in Sunshine, and it's a lot thinner than the cotton yarn hat was used. So I just made a hat similar to the pattern online.

This Monsters Inc inspired hat is the cutest thing I have made! I followed my own pattern for the hat design, and I made the eye and horns following the pattern from Hopeful Honey.  

These last two hats are sack hats I tested for Creative Threads by Leah. The mouse hat is single crochet and the storm trooper is Tunisian crochet. The Mr and Mrs Mouse pattern can be found on Ravelry. She hasn't posted the stormtrooper pattern, so when she does I will add the link.

Summer Hat Challenge: Update #1

I don't know what it is about summer. I'd rather be taking mini vacations all summer, exploring all parts of Florida, than being at work right now. Most of the time, I just want to unplug and not worry about the time. Or I just want to stay at home and crochet all the things I've been posting on Pinterest. It's been perfect crochet weather these past few weeks. It's hurricane season, and not a day goes by without a rainstorm. It does bring some amazing clouds though. When it stops raining today I'll try to take a picture.

Knitting has also been another interest of mine, but I haven't picked it up in a long time. I remember seeing my grandmother knit whenever she came to visit us in the states. My mom said I learned about knitting from her, but I don't remember. My father's mother was a great seamstress, so I could see her making these fabulous designs I'd see online. When I started crocheting, both my parents said it reminded them of Abuelita Olga. So I smile every time I pick up my yarn and crochet gifts for my friends.

Speaking of which, I've worked a good 2 months on hats since I posted about it in May. I've wanted to write a weekly post on the hats I've been making, But I'll share what I've completed and where I got the patterns from. Most of the patterns are free.

The first hat I made for this project is this Pith Hat pattern from Red Heart.  

I made this newborn Swirling Leaves newborn beanie following the pattern from Creative Threads by Leah.

 Thing 1 Thing 2 Hats from Repeat Crafter Me. It took me a few weeks to construct these. I was being really picky.

Lastly, the Lady Mary Sun Hat from Danyel Pink Designs (not free). I won this hat pattern from one of her giveaways, and I plan to make a slew of them. They're so cute and perfect for the hot summers.

This week, I've had to make a couple of quick hats, which I haven't been able to take pictures of yet. So I may have a new update by the end of the month. Now to make a few more hats!

Check out more hats at Summer Hat Challenge Update #2

~Sara

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Hat Patterns I've Used and Loved

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Here is a collection of hat patterns I've made in the last few years. I even scrounged around the internets to find the patterns for you too!

In December 2012 I went on a crochet hat craze! Here are some patterns I used.

I found this ribbed crochet hat pattern from Eating Out Loud. Also love that a guy can crochet!

This was also the first hat I made for a friend that was doing work in Scandinavia.

 

I made this children ribbed wrapped hat pattern from Celtic Mommy. I don't know if I did it right, but it was big enough to fit my head! I lost count somewhere and I think I added extra stitches.

This was my first beanie hat made in 2010. I followed the pattern from Threadbanger.com's video. I didn't turn out as slouchy as I wanted, but this was my first hat ever!

I learned how to crochet in 2008, so it's been 5 years!

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