When big hair was in, Rommy Hunt Revson invented the scrunchie (first named the “scunchie” after Revson’s dog). Her 1986 design was inspired by the elastic waistband of sweatpants. Like a lot of fashion trends, the scrunchie waxed and waned and is now back, worn by women to hold back their hair and even on the wrist as a pop of colour. It is an interesting hair accessory that elevates a ponytail, low or high, or a messy bun.

A good scrunchie will hold hair in place but be gentle on hair. It will not snag dry or fine hair causing breakage and it won’t leave a crease in thick, curly hair. It will grip hair securely, be lightweight, and have a stylish look.

Scrunchies can be made in a variety of materials such as silk, satin, cotton and velvet and in different sizes. For those with thin hair, a large scrunchie can be twisted into a figure 8 and the hair threaded through the two loops.

I have been thinking about how popular it is today to incorporate vintage and retro styles into modern wardrobes. So, it was fun for me to read the following excerpt from the April 1933 editorial page of “The Handicrafter”, an Emile Bernat & Sons Co. publication: “With the advent of a modern style, the creative designer will appear again in our midst and the hack copyist will go.” Then I found this in Deirdre Kelly’s book, “Fashioning the Beatles: The Looks that Shook the World”. Tony Palmer wrote of the Beatles that they “were innately stylish young men who, by constantly changing their appearance (mostly to please themselves), altered the look of a generation, not once but time and time again.”

Vintage, retro, modern…what do the words mean? While clothing older than 100 years is considered antique, garments over 20 and less than 100 years might be called vintage. However, a lot of experts deem only clothing from the 1980s or before is vintage. This is because mass production of clothes largely made with synthetic fabrics began after the 1980s. Good vintage pieces would be ones made in the past with materials, patterns and techniques available at the time, and were often hand stitched. Retro clothes would be copies of vintage styles but made with current fabrics and techniques.

An advertisement by Emile Bernat & Sons Co. in the aforementioned 1933 “The Handicrafter” begins, “What better way is there for you to be in style than in wearing a garment that is knitted with your hands and designed in the current fashion?” This resonated with me since the things I sew and crochet with my own hands use age-old techniques and highlight natural fabrics and yarns.

Today I digress from hats. Looking at my bins of fabric, I spotted remnant pieces too small to sew into hats. DIY microwaveable heat pads seemed to be a relatively simple and practical project to use up leftover fabric.

100% cotton was my choice since it can withstand heat. Linen with a strong tight weave is also a good pick. For some heat pads, I sewed a plain muslin pad with a separate pillow case. The muslin pad can be microwaved and the decorative pillow case, secured at one end with Velcro, can be removed and washed separately. Three pockets were created to ensure even distribution of heat.

I decided on rice as filler for its heat retention, ability to mould to the body, smell after heating and cost effectiveness. After some trial and error, I settled on 1-1/4 cups of rice per pocket. I set my sewing machine stitch length to 1.5 mm to keep the rice grains from slipping out of the heat pad. There are other organic filler possibilities for the microwaveable heat pad, such as crushed walnut shells, whole flax seed, and dried pinto beans. A few drops of an essential oil, dried flowers, or dried herbs can be added for scent.

What does “back to school” mean to you? For me, it conjures up memories of teaching and learning, meeting old and new friends, and a change of schedule. Retailers revel in the season, advertising back-to-school sales of everything from backpacks to laptops, office supplies to apparel.

My fall back-to-school hats have been in the making through the summer months. It seems a bit strange to crochet with yarns in darker colours and heavier weights while it’s still beach weather. But I have thoroughly enjoyed adding to my collection of hats with the Seed Stitch Beret design from Jessica Lombard. From this pattern, I varied the amounts of slouch and created different hat bands.

I used “Noro” yarns https://noroyarns.com/about that feature natural fibres in vivid colours and distinctive colour combinations that reflect the natural world. Minimal processing yields different thicknesses and unevenness along the length of the yarn, giving my hats a look like the wool on the sheep’s back.

The birth of a baby girl in my circle prompted me to think about hats and headbands for little ones. Newborns are learning to regulate their body temperature. So, it is a good idea to keep their heads warm with a hat outdoors, especially if they are born in a season or region that is cool.

Human babies grow incredibly fast. The newborn’s head circumference grows from an average of 34.5 cm (13.5 in) to 37.6 cm (15 in) at the end of one month. By Baby’s first birthday, his or her head size might measure 46 cm (18 in). Crocheted and knitted hats are usually made approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) smaller than the head circumference so that they will stretch and fit well.

Summer is here and I have been outdoors in nature. Over time, my appreciation has grown for the colours of Pacific coastal forest green and woody brown. With spring rain this year, cloudy skies blurred with local waters and bluish-grey mountains loomed in the background.

A change of pace led me to take a break from hats and turn to scarves. Though it takes time, the making of a long scarf matches the long lazy days of summer. Getting started merely involves deciding on a pattern and choosing an appropriate yarn and colour. I can be challenged by determining the number of stitches per pattern repeat or incorporating a twist or two in a cowl or infinity scarf.

This Friday evening, come find Hats by Tracy J at the @madeinthe604 Summer Night Market. Located at the stunning Pipe Shop Venue in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District, this night market will feature 50 local artisans, crafters, and creators. Discover unique treasures and support small businesses! Outside, enjoy a lively concert series, a refreshing beer garden, delicious food trucks, and a variety of fun activities for the whole family. 

Summer Night Market

Hosted by Made in the 604
 Date: Friday, May 31, 2024 
 Time: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
 Location: Pipe Shop, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver

The Pipe Shop is the big red building behind Tap and Barrel and across from Nook Restaurant / Pinnacle at the Pier Hotel. It is a dog-friendly venue! 

Admission is FREE!

The Pittsburgh Satellite Reef is one exhibit of a larger community-based project called the Crochet Coral Reef by Christine Wertheim and Margaret Wertheim. The coral art installations call attention to global warming and oceanic plastic trash. Thousands of women from all over the world have contributed with their crocheting of sculptural coral. Their instruments are the crochet hook and creative power.

Satellite reefs have popped up recently in Pittsburgh, Germany and Austria. The one in Pittsburgh can be viewed at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Some of the crocheted coral pieces from this diverse and colourful collection resemble the flowers I have made to adorn cloches. Others simply spark the imagination. 

If you own many hats that you wear and love, then you might be considered a hat enthusiast. If you “wear many hats”, then you are versatile and adaptable to a multitude of situations. Today’s blog post challenges you to think how versatile a bold or patterned hat might work for you.

Choosing colours flattering to your skin tone is recommended since a hat is worn close to the face. The colours and pattern of the fabric ought to be complementary to, and not clash with, your clothing. A hat can dress an outfit up or down. A hat featuring red poppies can finish an outfit with a polished and understated stylishness.

Hats are an accessory that allows you to express your personality and style. Does it require a hit of daring to wear an eye-catching hat of bold colour like tangerine orange, electric blue or crocus purple? Certainly, but it can inject a boost of confidence as you wear it, walking tall and poised with an air of self-assurance. Jazz up a neutral outfit and accessorize with other bold pieces, such as jewelry, shoes and a bag.

A patterned hat with a rainbow of colours can add a sense of whimsy or playfulness to any outfit. Along with the practical aspect of sun protection, such a hat can elevate beachwear, vacation wear or a sundress at an afternoon garden party.

The colours of my latest crochet cloches were inspired by two events, the arrival of spring and a visit to southwestern Pennsylvania. The city of Pittsburgh and nearby Ohiopyle State Park in the Laurel Highlands provided plenty of visual interest.

Flowering cherry and magnolia trees at home in Vancouver and Eastern redbud blossoms in Pittsburgh line city streets. They inspired the fresh and feminine look of the pink crocheted shells in the pictured hat.

Getting outside my usual environment by travelling or visiting museums stimulates my senses. The organic architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright resonates with me. His choice of light ochre for concrete and Cherokee red for steel in iconic Fallingwater simultaneously stands out and blends into the surroundings. Fallingwater lies between the villages of Mill Run and Ohiopyle.

With the warm earth tones in mind, I stepped outside my usual colour palette with this burnt orange cotton toque. A simple flower with a wooden button gives the hat an organic feel.

Jewel tones have a high level of colour saturation. Cotton, a natural and breathable fibre, makes these crocheted buckets an easy choice for wearing in spring, summer, and even autumn.