Embarking on a new crochet hat project is fun. Duplicating or tweaking the same hat pattern continues the adventure. Colour is an obvious way to change the look, as is the choice of yarn. Different yarns give hats different drape and structure. In the hats pictured above, Bluefaced Leicester wool and a wool/silk/cashmere blend were used to crochet beanies with a tailored look where the stitches are well defined but softness is maintained. Fibre thickness might dictate a change in crochet hook size. Having an assortment of hook sizes enables me to crochet test swatches and adjust the pattern accordingly.
Technology touches aspects of modern living, including yarn development. A Peruvian yarn of “de-haired” alpaca and merino (shown below) is spun in a tube of silk webbing and does not pill. For this incredibly lightweight fibre, I used a hat pattern crocheted in the “third loop” of half double crochet stitches. It has ever so slight a brim, so I added a flower embellishment in two tones with a button.
Hats by Tracy J 