Ahoy, Owl! Pirate Hat

I saw a hat for sale that looked just like this, but the original designer wasn't selling her pattern, so I decided to improvise a version for myself: I call it the Ahoy, Owl! Pirate Hat.

This will be perfect to give to young buccaneer Nathaniel for his first Christmas, because his parents decorated his nursery in a pirate theme.

However, I think I will die from looking at the sheer cuteness of this hat for baby buccaneer Nathaniel if I try to keep it in my house until his first Christmas. Therefore, I believe I shall have to deliver it to him early. ASAP!! Bah-ha-ha!!

This one took me about 10 days to complete — about six to seven actual work hours because of the hat's complexity. A simple, plain beanie (on the other hand) I can work up in about two hours.

Plarn project

Here I am starting my first "plarn" project. 🙂 Naturally, my husband finds it very peculiar for me to want to go to the trouble of crocheting a reusable shopping bag out of used plastic shopping bags. LOL But it will be so much stronger than the individual bags alone, probably last a very long time, and not require any re-manufacturing other than my own handiwork to create.

Couldn't wait to try the Fraga Headband free pattern

Like a lot of crafters, I have a form of project ADHD - meaning I usually have several (or lots) of projects in the works at all times. And even though I have a good overall record of completion, that doesn't necessarily mean I won't start another project before finishing what I already have on my needles or hooks.

Anyway, you can see in the photos that I was pretty desperate to start working on the Fraga Headband by Needlework + Seedlings -- I used a set of needle tips WITHOUT a joining cable (because I have more needles than cables!!), and I didn't want to steal a cable from another project in progress. And I didn't want to wait to order more cables. And at a mere 20 stitches wide, the headband is narrow enough that it worked. :-)

Here's a close-up of the braided cable effect:

Desert twilight headwrap free pattern

When you just don't want to wear a full hat, a wide headband or headwrap is a great alternative to keep your ears warm and your hair out of your face.

This is the 86-10 Headband by DROPS Design. I made it with Red Heart Super Saver yarn in the Artist Print colorway. The colors remind me of sunsets in the desert, hence I named it: desert twilight headwrap.

Rib-A-Roni chemo cap free pattern

Still on my quest to donate hats to cancer patients, I decided to try the Rib-A-Roni hat pattern designed by Jane Tanner of Windy Prairie Designs.

This turned out looking super cute in the Red Heart With Love yarn Plum Jam colorway.

I made the hat a little long on purpose, so the wearer can fold or roll up the brim for a jaunty look on warmer days, but on colder days, they can pull the hat down over their ears and stay comfortably snug.