7.26.2008

My 2nd Attempt at the Vivian Cap

Okay, Okay, Okay! Finished my second Vivian Cap today. My gauge was right on this time! Cap fits great! What a HUGE difference gauge can make. And that's such a shame too...cause I really, really, really HATE GAUGE! I crocheted this cap with a 5.5 mm hook and Red Heart Soft Yarn because that is what I had sitting around the house. It's a lot softer and more comfortable on my head than the Vanna's Choice but the yarn was harder to work with because it has the tendency to split. Well, anyway here's the pictures I promised. I'm off to work on my next project....











7.25.2008

The Vivian Cap

I've never crocheted a cap before and I decided that it was way past time. I wanted something funky but most of the cap patterns I've seen have seriously been lacking. I managed to find a pattern called "The Vivian Cap" by Christine Gregory on Ravelry.com that looked pretty cool...so I decided to give it a whirl. I made the cap with Lion Brand's Vanna's Choice. I'm not sure what the exact name of the color is but it's in the purple family. I used a 6.0 mm hook. The pattern consist of puff stitches in the round and a visor is added in SC. The pattern was very easy to follow with a step-by-step set of instructions for beginners and a simplified set of instructions for the more advanced. There is a gauge check on Rnd 8-about half way through the cap. When I reached the gauge point my gauge was off. It was about a half inch wider than the pattern called for. I figured since I have a BIG HONKIN' head that it would probably be fine to continue on and not correct it. I was wrong. The cap ended up more like a beanie with a visor and less like the intended shape. I mean, it's still cute and it's still wearable but it's not exactly what I was going for.


Here is how it is intended to look:







Here is how mine turned out:


















Not bad, but not perfect either. I've already started another one-this time my gauge is correct. I'll definitely post pics once it's finished to show the difference that it makes. This pattern from start to finish took about 3-3 1/2 hours to finish. It only took one skein of yarn. Therefore, I consider this to be a perfect pattern...INSTANT GRATIFICATION!!! That's what I'm talking about! I think this would make a super cool gift for someone or just to use up a random skein of yarn you have sitting around the house. Any worsted weight yarn would do. If you're interested in purchasing the pattern it is available here:
http://whitepawcrafts.blogspot.com/2008/06/vivian-cap.html
Check her out! She's got some awesome cap patterns! I plan to buy them all. Hat making might be my new thing!!!

7.24.2008

My Wish List for Crochetoholic Swap

My Wish List

I Crochet!
I love to make.....Amigurumi! Anything Rockstar - Funky Bags, Fingerless gloves, Hip Belts and Hats, Wild and Crazy Scarfs, Nifty Vests and Cardigans, and any other Funkadelic accessories you can think of.
I like to FELT!
Things I do not crochet are......Doilies and Dishrags
I really want to make......The Medallion Cardigan from 'Loop-D-Loop Crochet and way too many other things!
My favorite yarns are.....Caron's Spa and Country, Red Heart Soft Yarn, I Love This Yarn, and just about any novelty yarn you can get your hands on
My favorite hooks or needles are.....Boye or Susan Bates or Clover...I especially love the hooks with the bamboo handles...or again, anything novelty
I really wish I had.....a hand carved crochet hook (most often used sizes 4.5mm-6.00mm) and a Tunisian Hook
My favorite colors are...Olive Greens and Browns with Burnt Oranges, Mustards, and Russetts running in a close second (Think WARM FALL colors)

My hobbies...CROCHET!! I hope soon to learn to knit, Punchneedle, Sleeping, Reading, Baking and Cooking, and Face Painting. I would love to learn Needle Felting! and Calligraphy!
My kitchen theme and colors....Roosters and Sunflowers. I use deep reds and off whites
My bathroom theme and colors...Amazingly, no theme. Tans, Browns, and Off Whites work perfectly
My dislikes....Scratchy yarn such as Red Heart Super Saver!
My crafts....are Crochet and Punchneedle but I would love to learn to knit and needle felt
My allergies....I'm allergic to most trees and to grass (so don't send me any mulch! )
My favorite pets....I love dogs and fish. I have one dog and 2 betta fish
My favorite scents.....Coconut and Pineapple, Warm Fall scents like fresh baked goodies and cinnamon
My favorite novels or magazines...I do not read fiction! I like Crochet Magazines and Cookbooks. I mostly read Christian 'self help' books (Max Lucado, Charles Stanely, Charles Swindoll, Joyce Meyer,etc...)
Other stuff about me...I love things that have trees, leaves, and flowers on them. That goes for jewelry, decorations, pictures...just about anything! I also love to use owls and pineapples in decorations and such.