So... Hi again. A lot has happened since I last updated. Right now I'm in Washington D.C., here to watch Obama's Inauguration! It's really cold here, an I am complaining bitterly about the fact that the weather is like this, and no snow! Forgetting that though, when I heard about the temperatures (when I just got on the plane) I stitched up this cute hat in less than the plane trip from Montego Bay in Jamaica to Washington D.C. in the U.S. I used Lion Brand Yarn Wool-Ease^® Thick & Quick^® in Lemongrass, Sky Blue, Claret and Lumberjack Red. Cool, eh?




PATTERN:

HAT
Ch 29.

Row 1: Single crochet in 2nd chain from hook, double crochet in next chain, *single crochet in next chain, double crochet in next chain; repeat from * across, end with a double crochet in last chain - 28 stitches.

Row 2: Chain 1, turn, *single crochet in next double crochet, double crochet in next single crochet; repeat from * across.

Repeat Row 2 until piece measures 9 in. or 23 cm (about 9 or 10 rows) from beginning. Fasten off.

FINISHING
Seam ends together using a slip stitch seam. This is done by turning the work over to the wrong side, and joining the right sides of your work together so the seam is worked on the wrong side. Slip stitch each stitch on the end of a row together.

[insert pictures]

Thread yarn through each stitch of last row and pull to gather. Knot securely. Weave in ends. Tie a small knot, and then with the wrong side facing, thread a blunt-pointed needle with the end of the yarn. Carefully weave the needle along the back of the stitches about 2 to 3 inches on a diagonal, gently pulling the yarn end. Weave the other yarn end in the opposite direction. When finished, gently stretch the fabric in all directions so the fabric does not pull. Trim excess yarn ends.

Make a pompom and tie to top of hat. You can do this by:

1. Cut two cardboard circles the size you wish the finished pompom to be, then cut a small hole about a quarter of the size in the center of each one.

2. Measure off approximately 6 strands of yarn, 2 yards long (or longer depending on how fluffy you want your pom pom). Hold the two cardboard discs together in your left hand and wind the strands of yarn through the hole and around the rim as shown below. The amount of yarn used will determine the fluffyness of the pompom.

3. Insert sharp scissors carefully between the two cardboard discs and cut the yarn all around.

4. Separate the discs slightly, take a strand of yarn 12 inches long and wind around the cut strands (between the discs) twice and tie tightly.

5. Remove the discs and trim any stray ends.

[Sources used in this post: http://www.lionbrand.com/patterns/70490AD.html?noImages=0, http://www.woolcrafting.com/crochet-seams.html, http://www.knit911.com/crochet911.html and http://www.craftown.com/crochet/pat15.htm.

I changed mine slightly by adding more colours. you like?