Hat & Gauge Square

Starting with the hat, this was the Cranium pattern from Crochet Me. While the picture on the site seems to show the both loop band well, I used Life by Stylecraft in Rose, which is an acrylic/wool blend, meaning that it wasn't the nylon as shown on the pattern. This doesn't show the both loop band very well at all. I added the flower so that it matches well with the scarf. Not entirely sure where I got the flower pattern from as I tried so many different designs that all ended up looking the same. The flower is Hayfield Bonus DK in purple, as used on the scarf. I found the hat to be a fairly boring, repetitive project and do wish that I had tried something a little more adventurous.

On the adventurous note, I have decided to have a go at making a cardigan, following the instructions for Top Down Yoke Cardigan on Without Seams.  As it is likely to be a long project, I've decided to use my favourite yarn so far -Wendy Mode DK Merino in Teal Green. I used what I had left from making Alice to make the gauge square, and intend to buy some more when I return home in a week, or order it off the internet. I am aware that crocheted fabrics tend to make heavier garments than knits, but all my favourite jumpers are chunky knits anyway so I don't think it will be too disappointing in terms of thickness.

To tide me over until then I am making my Mum a scarf for Mother's Day. Will post about it later, but am a little excited because I finished my first ever skein on this project, and had to go and buy more! Also am using double and treble crochet extensively, which is also exciting and makes me think that I have progressed beyond amigurumi. 

Striped Scarf

I really like this scarf. It's a little short, and thin, but the colours are quite lovely in person. The pink is a little redder than that shown here.

How it was made:

Hayfield Bonus DK - Purple

Stylecraft Ltd Life DK - 2301 Rose

5mm (H) hook

Chain 150, turn, single crochet into each of chains, turn, the same, so that there are 3 rows. Change to other colour, do three rows, and so on. I ended up 6 stripes, though more could be done easily.

150 is a little small - if want a longer scarf then I would go with 200-250. But I do love it and think it's a little more appropriate for the spring weather that is beginning to creep into England. As I expected, the rose colour Life DK was nicer to crochet with than the Hayfield, as it is 25% wool, 75% acrylic, compared with Hayfield's 100% (but that is so cheap!). I am going to make a beanie in the same stripy style once I've finished my current amigurumi project.

Also, the doll now has eyes and a face. I am trying to decide whether she needs more hair, or if I can sew it straight on the body.