Hats

I was recently talking about hats for a Louisiana troop unit. The hats have been delivered to Donna for the soldier care packages. There were 57. I think she has more from other ladies but I haven't heard that count yet. She told me she would need 30 in January for the second troop.

Since I'm talking about hats, I wanted to share that page on the new site. I will try to highlight a section of the site every now and then so you can become familiar with what's on there. The how-to-make-a-basic-hat page is here.

What is a hat anyway? Here are other terms for hat, some mean hat, some are specific types of hats. I'm sure you've heard the terms cap, chapeau, beanie, beret, bonnet, cloche, fedora, fez, skull cap, sombrero, tam, toboggan, Panama, Stetson, boater, bowler, helmet, fedora, skimmer, stove pipe, straw, ten-gallon, slouchie, and topper. Some of those will immediately bring an image to mind. Others you might need to see to know what it is.

I have made a few of these. Here is a beanie type -just a simple dc hat - like the soldier hats.

This slouchie hat was made with sock yarn. It took a while but I was really pleased with the result.

I always thought this looked like a fez though that is not the name of the pattern. The pattern is Sandra Huffines Ribbed Round Hat at Bev's.

Then there are the head coverings which are not actual hats, These would include babushka, cowl, coif, kerchief, mantilla, veil, yashmak (worn by Muslim women), capuche (pointy hood on a cloak), kepi (round hat with a flat top and a visor), shako (sort of a tall kepi heh).

Here's a cowl worn as a head covering.

You can see many of the hats I've made through the years at the Picasa album.


Happy crocheting!
Sandie

Link Share

It's link sharing time!

I found this post with large pictures and instructions on how to work an invisible join at Wool n Hook.

Then I ran across a tutorial demonstrating one method of making a ripple at Attic 24. I've been there before and I think I've even seen this particular tutorial before so I may have shared it previously. If so, I'm doing it again. :-)

I also discovered the Crochet Happy blog which I spent quite a bit of time perusing. You might like to also have a look. I particularly enjoyed her article on copyrights.

If you're one to plan your decorations ahead or you just know someone for whom this would make an appropriate gift, you might consider this Halloweenish skull and bones by Sarah London. It's for sale not free.

It's football season so perhaps you or someone you know is having a wee one who could use a football hat. Sarah at Repeat Crafter Me has this one. She also demonstrates a different method of joining rounds which you might like to try.

If you are into Tunisian crochet (afghan stitch) and bothered by that curling thing, you might like to check out Kim Guzman's tips to help with that problem.

Since this is the season of giving, I'll share a few charity links that might touch you.

First Sandy at the Bridge and Beyond helps the homeless. It's pretty cold in Ohio so I know they'd appreciate a hat and scarf or a pair of warm socks.

Christmas at Sea keeps mariners warm and shares a bit of cheer during the holiday season. Their main office and storage facility was flooded during Hurricane Sandy but almost all of the donations were saved. You can read about it on their blog.

Let's show a little love to our veterans by donating a scarf to Knit Your Bit. They even have both knit and crochet patterns you can use though any pattern is accepted.

Of course we still have troops in harm's way and also those serving in spots that are not now in conflict. Operation Gratitude makes care packages to send to these troops. They include in these packages handmade scarves and hats. What is good about this particular effort as far as handmade items go, is that their requirement is for a shorter scarf (to fit in their boxes) so you can make more! 5-6" x 48".

Also I just learned of Give 2 the Troops which has some great lists if you want to make your own package or send items to them to send on where it's needed. I was particularly impressed with their page on items needed by the female soldiers. Mostly one hears to send what would be useful to men - colors and styles - as the females don't want to be set apart from the men. They have enough trouble fitting in. But there are some things that women can use that are used privately and don't affect their working time. Good list.

Native Americans need help particularly during the cold winter months. Crafting for a Cause (a yahoogroup) gives one the opportunity to help by sending scarves, hats and other items directly to the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota.

Another group that helps the Native Americans is Love Afghans for PRR (yahoogroup). Pam collects squares of all sizes and assembles them into warm afghans which are then sent to the Pine Ridge reservation in South Dakota. Finished afghans are also accepted. There is also a Ravelry group for this program.

I also have to include SIBOL, a charity effort run by Sue across the pond. I had to include it because I just love Sue! She does such a fabulous job on her blog and in assembly of the afghans for her local nursing homes.

There are so many other worthy charities that you can donate to. I have a list on the sidebar here and I'm sure you have your own efforts - feel free to share in the comments if you know another worthy charity that you have personal experience with.

Myself I was just talking to a friend who works at a hospital oncology unit and she said they use lapghans there. So there ya go. If you have lapghans made (new) with no place to send them or you want to make lapghans, send 'em over and I'll pass to my friend. I haven't set anything up with her officially but will be talking to her again about this soon.

That's all for now!


Happy crocheting!
Sandie

site overhaul response

The newly overhauled Crochet Cabana has been up for a week now and the comments I have received have been positive. I did have a couple people write me who still had old links which no longer work. I was able to help them find the needed information.

The majority of the comments said they liked the new look. A few were specific in what they liked about the changes. Here are a few excerpts from the comments I've received:

"Very clean, easy to navigate, easy to find stuff, and visually appealing... every link went where it was supposed to go...with the new index pages, you can really see how much the site has to offer."


"... fabulously done! ... much easier to navigate ... the pdf's I tried opened right up ... the look is far more professional ... nicely executed."

"Beautiful redesign ... It's a really attractive design on the home page, with clean and clear navigation."

Of course I always love hearing "It looks awesome." and "Job Well Done!"

I particularly loved "May your crochet project be ever "frog-less". Thanks! And I hope all of yours are too!

I'm getting the idea that site navigation has improved. That is a good thing.

Hopefully the response will continue to be positive as people stop by and see the changes. Of course I'll continue to work on the site as well.

Happy crocheting!
Sandie