For a change of pace, I thought I’d share a DIY or craft post. I love to crochet, and from time to time, I like to show you what I’ve been working on. Today, I’ve got one of the hats and infinity scarves that I crocheted earlier in the season. I’m pleased with how they came out, and I’ve been enjoying wearing them. They go well with my purple down jacket and purple gloves.
Crochet Shell Stitch Beanie
I wanted a lighter weight crocheted beanie for the days that aren’t quite as cold, and this one is crocheted primarily with double crochet stitches, chain stitches, and single crochet stitches for the border. The hat features a “shell” pattern where you make double crochets and chain stitches in one stitch to form a shell. It’s an advanced beginner pattern, and it is quite easy to do. Plus it works up quite fast. You can definitely make one in an afternoon or evening if you have a couple of hours to yourself.
The pattern for the Crochet Shell Beanie was designed by crochet designer, Marie Hamnett. I found the free pattern on the website crochethooksyou.com. The pattern calls for medium worsted weight yarn, category 4. I used a hand-dyed multi-color yarn by Malabrigo.
For the first couple of hats I made with the pattern, I used the recommended hook sizes, but I found that the hats were just a little too big for me. My head measures 21″ around my forehead. I was surprised that the hat was a little big because I tend to be a tight crocheter, but the pattern does not give the circumference of the head or hat. Subsequently, I used a smaller hook, size 4.5mm which can sometimes be hard to find (it’s called a US size 7 rather than a letter) for the crown and sides of the hat, and a size 4mm/G hook for the edges. For the hats that were slightly big, I added a ribbon and tied it in a bow to make the hat fit more snugly. You can add ribbon for decoration or a button or a crocheted flower, or whatever strikes your fancy.
Crochet Inifinity Scarf
The infinity scarf is one that I have made many times because I just love it. It makes a wonderful gift. I add beads to the border to add a more special touch. In the past, the scarves I made from this pattern have been one color with the border in the same yarn. This time I decided to try something different. I used one color for the body of the scarf, and I used three different shades for the border/trim. Since I chose them, I obviously love how these colors work together.
I make the scarf with lightweight yarn, sport weight or baby weight, category 2. The original pattern calls for Simply Soft yarn by Caron that may be a category 3 weight. I prefer lighter weight yarn for this big scarf that you wrap around.
I used a size 4mm/G hook. The scarf is worked with chain stitches, double crochet and single crochet stitches. I believe that the Triple Play Infinity Scarf pattern, created by Brenda Bourg, on the Caron website yarnspirations.com, a free pattern, is categorized as an “easy” pattern. It’s not hard to do, but it does require a little bit of counting. The scarf took me several weeks to make, but if you have good chunks of time, you could make it in a few days.
If you have never added beads to your crochet or knit work, it’s not difficult. You have to load the beads onto the yarn before you start to crochet. That said, it’s better to put too many beads on upfront because you can’t easily add more at the end. I try to estimate the number I’ll need and then add more than that, just in case. To add beads to yarn, take a slim sewing needle that will pass through the hole in the bead. Take a piece of thread several inches long, put it through the needle, and tie a small knot at the ends to form a loop. Next take the end of your yarn and drape it through the loop created by the thread. Put a bead on the needle, push it down onto the thread loop and keep pushing till it goes onto the yarn. And just keep adding beads till you have the number you think you’ll need. As you’re crocheting, bring the beads up one at a time whenever you wish to add a bead, and incorporate the bead into your stitch. It’s a cinch!
So, this is some of my recent handiwork. What do you think? At one point, I was thinking I’d like to try selling my crocheted items, but then reality set in and I realized I couldn’t price them to actually pay for the yarn and my time. Have you ever sold your handmade items? Any advice for me?? Oh well. I enjoy it anyway!
Do you crochet or knit? If so, what have you been working on?
DISCLOSURE: I made the above items from yarn and hooks I purchased myself.
Wow! You made some beautiful stuff. You should be so proud. I begged my mom to teach me when I was in grade school. She did not have the patience because I was left handed and she was the opposite. I was never so disappointed as I really really wanted to learn. I even bought a set of needles this past December. Maybe someday I will take a class. How did you learn? I saw some books on Amazon but I think it would be difficult for me to learn on your own.
Thank you sooooo much, Laura! I learned to crochet at summer camp when I was 16. I am so happy I learned then. I too am left-handed. I wish you lived nearby ‘coz I could teach you. I do not know how to knit, and I also need to take a class to learn knitting. Crochet seems easier to me because there’s only a hook that you use in one hand rather than two knitting needles that I think requires coordination that I lack 😉 You should take a look at some of the videos on YouTube for left-handed crochet. I used to follow a very talented woman on Facebook who made YT videos for both lefties and righties, but FB no longer shows me her feed and I can’t remember her name. BTW, I haven’t forgotten to send your package. We have been so snowed under, I haven’t made it to the post office. Hopefully I’ll get there after this storm on Tuesday or Wednesday!!!
I meant on my own it would be hard to learn. Where is my brain??? See how me learning anything would be hard for me?? lol
I understood completely what you meant, Laura. Sometimes I don’t type what I’m thinking either 😉
These are so cute! I especially love the hat–it’s adorable! I wish I could crochet like you. I’ve tried learning how to twice and it’s always ended up being kind of a mess haha.
Thanks a lot, Sammi! I learned to crochet at camp when I was 16. I wish they had also taught me how to knit ‘coz my knitting is always kind of a mess. Luckily, crochet came easily to me 🙂
My mom would not even bother at attempting to teach me to knit. I would like to learn that also. Women I have seen knitting at my friend’s old beauty shop always looked so peaceful. And the ones who were really good could talk while looking you in the eye while still knitting. lol
I know your end of the world has been getting hammered with snow. You can keep it. 😉 I could live with just snow the week of Christmas and then I am ready for Spring. I actually have all the windows open today. No sunshine but the temperature is perfect. Feels like Spring today.
Thank you again for being so thoughtful. I appreciate the kindness and by no means feel forgotten. Stay indoors where it is warm and safe!!!
So happy it feels like spring where you are today, Laura! I thought this awful weather was coming from the midwest. Glad you’re not getting hit like we are. I can hardly wait till spring!!!
Ooooh I love that scarf! I really love the colors you chose too. I need to get back into crocheting. Such a fun hobby.
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Thank you, Leticia! I appreciate it especially coming from another crocheter like you! I hope you’ll have time to get back into crochet. It’s so relaxing and I love handmade stuff.
This is the perfect season for craftiness! Especially, hats and scarves! I can’t knit or crochet for the life of me, but I wish I could! My mom used to make me one and gift it to me almost every Christmas.. they’re quite lovely and I wish she would do make them as gifts again, but oh well 🙁 Yours are quite awesome, too! Great job! 🙂 Really loving the infinity scarf!
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Vivienne, how lucky you are that your mom knits or crochets gifts. Maybe if you tell her how much you loved them, she’ll make them again for you. Thanks for the compliment. I love the scarf too! The colors and the beads are awesome, especially on a dreary, cold, snowy winter day like today 🙂
I think our 50 degree weather Sat and Sun was a fluke. We are in the 30s today and dropping. eek!
Welcome to my world, Laura! Another foot of snow falling today and no place to put it 😉
OHH!!! I didn’t know you crochet, too. I love crocheting and now you’ve made me want to share the current project I’m working on.
Love the scarf you’ve made – your stitches are nice and even. Mine are always all over the place so my blankets and scarves are sometimes tight and uneven or loose and sloppy.
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Thank you, Carina! I do! And I enjoy it. I hope you’ll stick with it. And thank you for visiting and commenting <3
Soooo Goood Allison! I wish I could create such nice things. I love the hat with the ribbon! Hugs from Italy.
Mille grazie, Anna! I think they are quite cheerful amidst all the snow and dreary weather we’re having here. Plus I enjoy crocheting 🙂 It is so nice to hear from you!!! Hope all is well with you in Italy <3
Oh wow! All of those things are pretty. I used to crochet. I even thought about starting back at it as if I need one more thing to add to my list of things to do; however, it’s therapeutic.
I know, Kim: one more thing. But you can make such cute stuff especially for kids. You should do it!!!
I can’t believe you made these! They’re so cute and you make it sound so easy.
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Thank you so much, Aleya! I’ve been crocheting since I was 16 so it is pretty easy for me, and these are easy patterns. I really enjoy crocheting, so relaxing
These are so cute! I used to both crochet and knit way back. Doubt I remember how to do either now!
Thanks, Carleen! I’m sure it would come right back to you with a bit of practice 🙂
So cute! I’m finally learning how to knit–my cousin is teaching me!
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That’s great, Cindy! I would love to learn to knit. I’m a lefty and I haven’t found the right teacher yet.
These are adorable! Love the color choices
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Thank you, Jess! I think the colors look good together, too! Cheery
You should sell online, you have a market!
Thank you, Kathryne! I need to find an etsy mentor who can give me some pointers on pricing. I would love to sell my crochet.
Everything’s fine here, Allison!
Pretty warm winter this time, no snow at all in the city, but always a nice colourfull hat on my head! 😉
I’m glad there’s no snow where you are in Italy, Anna! It’s snowing here again this morning 🙁 But I’m glad that you’re a hat wearer too <3
You are so crafty! I remember learning knitting and crocheting in middle school when they taught us random skills at home economics class (which was mandatory for girls at my school). I made some crazy dress for my sister’s Barbie doll from strings of plastic bag and random scraps of cloth that were on the table. It looked very avant garde, but I was super proud of myself 🙂
Wow, that doll’s dress sounds incredible, Anastasia! I hope you snapped some pix of it for posterity!
Cute! I love the colors you paired together 🙂
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Thanks, Destany!
I don’t think smartphones even existed back then, nor did digital cameras (it was late 90s). I had a giant square Polaroid camera, but never really brought it to school, only to parties.
And I just totally failed to reply in the right place, lol!
No problem, Anastasia! It was great of you to reply to my reply! Thank you 🙂
Ah yes, that! We had a friend, in the late ’80s actually, who was a photographer and he used to bring a Polaroid with him everywhere. He’d take pix of us all at parties and when we were at restaurants, clubs etc. Early selfies!
That hat is adorable! I could only ever crochet a straight line… a whip.. if you will LMAO the struggle is real.
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A whip, haha! A chain 🙂
I love the colors and the designs. My grandmother crocheted and knitted and sadly she passed away before I was able to learn how from her. My mother in law crochets but she never has the time to teach me so I need to learn how… I love the art and I’m a totally scarf and beenie lover.
That’s so nice to remember your grandmother for her skills, too. I wish I wasn’t so far away, I’d teach you 😉
Goregous! I am going to commission you to crochet items for my twins next winter. My favorite was the beige hat with the red ribbon. Gorgeous!
Thank you, Ashley!
A hat on my head keeps me warm and makes me happy too!
🙂 Yay for hats!!
I can do a few simple stitches, but nothing like this! Great job.
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Thank you, Nidia!
thank you 😉 I would be honored if you taught me… thank you. 🙂 If you ever decide to do videos on them… let me know, I’ll surely watch ;D
I haven’t thought about doing a video but maybe some day!
Cute! I love to crochet too!
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I’m so glad to hear that, Stephanie! I’d love to see what you make 🙂
So cute! I love infinity scarves!
Thanks, Lisa!
That is so nice
Thanks Betzy!
My sister also crochets. I really like the infinity scarf.
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Hope she makes stuff for you, Melody, from time to time!