Little Thoughts of Spring by CherishedDreams on Etsy

Little Thoughts of Spring by CherishedDreams on Etsy: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

I'm a Survivor

Five years ago I was embarrassed to say that. Now, I know what everyone who has survived breast cancer means. Loss of feeling in my upper right arm and shoulder, lingering pain at the site, fear of the cancer returning... the list goes on and on. You really don't realize what a toll it takes on your psyche either. All of this lessens by year five, so, yeah, I'm a survivor!

twin baby boys have a conversation - part 2

Natural Raffia vesus Rayon Raffia

Today I tried crocheting with natural raffia. The first thing I noticed was that it felt just like rayon raffia to my fingers. The second thing I noticed was how stringy it became as I worked with it. The natural raffia also split on me and broke. It is not as strong as the rayon raffia. Guess what? I am not going to be using it!

Raffia Hat With Posies

I really love my new forest green spring hat with posies. Crocheting with raffia is more difficult than with traditional yarns, but much more satisfying.

Finished the terra cotta Flapper. I think it came out rather nice

Raffia Hats II

Have some more colors of Raffia today, making a  terra cotta one now. Our weather this week has been terrible with rain, hail, terrible winds and a couple of tornadoes, plus power outages, that I haven't had tons of time to crochet.

Having lived in Texas, the Florida Panhandle and Cajun Louisiana, I am scared of this type of weather. Sacramento Metro area is usually much milder. Hopefully the weatherman is right and we will be back to normal by the weekend.

I am looking forward to creating for a bit. I really like the black hat pictured here, thinking of keeping it for moi.

Raffia Hats

Yay! The Raffia hats are popular. If you'd like a different color, please ask. I can get black, pale lilac, forest green, white, straw, red, cranberry, wheat gold. terra cotta, royal blue, pastel blue, purple, navy and yellow.

Hearts on Etsy

I am starting to get lots of hearts (favorited) on Etsy. Let's hope all the marketing for theoldhooker pays off.

Why hats are Important

It seems most people think of hats as something you wear on a bad hair day or outside when it is cold. Hats are much more than this. Hats protect your hair, scalp and face from the sun. They are also important as the finishing touch to your outfit, whether dressy or casual. I like this so much, I added it to my header.

Crochet Rayon Raffia Woman's Hat by theoldhooker on Etsy

Crochet Rayon Raffia Woman's Hat by theoldhooker on Etsy: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Why I Created This Blog

This blog is meant to be a showcase for my handmade hats and leather accessories. I have been a designer for over 30 years. After working as a woman in a man's world of Architecture and construction I seldom got the chance to just be a woman. Now that I am retired, all that pent up femininity is bursting out all over. I still get to use the same principles of structure, engineering and style, just now in a softer manner. I love it.