I’ve been crocheting for years, but I rarely step outside my comfort zone of chains, sc, dc, and hdc. But when I saw this hat, I knew I had to make it!  The Bernat Stepping Texture Hat spoke to me.  I had to have it.  The only problem: I had to step outside my cozy little crochet comfort zone and learn some new techniques:

• front post double crochet
• back post double crochet
• working from the bottom up instead of top down
• slip stitch rim
• making a pom pom

I was nervous.  What if I put in all this work and it turns out hideous!?  The first hat turned out okay, but I still felt like I fumbled through it.  Luckily,  I made notes on the pattern as I crocheted the hat.  This is something I’ve started doing recently that really helps me out.  Basically, I simplify it and put it in to my own words.  For example, the stepping texture for the hat is just a rotation of a 3 fpdc and 2 bpdc.  Once I figured this out the pattern didn’t seem so scary.  In fact, I was so confident I made some modifications to make the hat work for me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

• I used different weight yarns instead of super bulky yarn called for in the pattern.  This was possible because the patter is worked from the bottom up and the stepping texture is just a staggered repeat of the same 5 stitches
• I made the hat a little shorter on top because I didn’t really want the extra long slouchy look

I am ABSOLUTELY making this hat again!  Don’t let the pattern intimidate you!  If you need help, check out this awesome article and tutorial:  Stepping Texture Hat on The Crochet Crowd

 

I can’t wait for cold weather!   In fact, I’m so excited about it I’m already crocheting wintery things: hats, scarves, blankets, etc.   I kept seeing patterns for cowls online, but none of them really spoke to me.  Until I saw a braided cowl/infinity scarf.  I had to give it a try.  There weren’t many patterns.  They were more like generic guidelines.  Here’s my version of it.

 

I started with three colors I thought would go together.

 

I made three “mini” scarves by chaining 120 (I wanted it to be longer that normal) with a 5.5 mm hook (I).  Then I dc in the 3rd chain from the hook and in each chain.  When I reached then end of the chain I chained 2 before turning.  Basically, I made 5 rows like this (not including the the chain).

 

I crocheted the top of the mini scarves together then braided them loosely.  When I got to the bottom and crocheted those ends together.  I then circle up the scarf and crocheted the ends together.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I love this project because it is so customizable.  The size, length, colors, and even the “coziness” of it can be changed to suit your taste.