Hat of Many Colours

Posted bytracyj Leave a comment on Hat of Many Colours
Wedge sandals at the Salvatore Ferragamo Museum, October 2024

I visited the Museum of Salvatore Ferragamo (1898-1960) while in Florence. There I saw a magnificent display of shoes crafted with architectural and engineering perfection and artistic ingenuity. During his lifetime (1898-1960), Ferragamo used all sorts of materials, such as hemp, straw, animal skin and cellophane, to substitute for leather. He invented the “invisible” sandal with the upper made of nylon fishing line. He introduced the platform sole and patented the cork wedge in the 1930s. Cork wedge sandals with uppers of stripes and motifs were often woven, embroidered, and crocheted. As you can see in the photo of Coco on the left, I was inspired by the bright multicoloured shoes!

I crocheted this striped child’s hat using a herringbone stitch. The yarn is 70% Merino Wool and 30% Mulberry Silk. The silk gives the hat a lustrous look and feel. I incorporated a fluffy fibre to add plushness to the pompom.
Sandal with a cork heel and raffia upper at the Salvatore Museum.
Wedge sandal with upper crocheted in multiple bright colours, Salvatore Museum.
I used a double strand of Merino Wool to crochet these two beanies, the top one for an adult and the other with the pompom for a child.

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