The Old Hooker

Guild-Signatory Agents and Agencies

2011-10-31T17:10:00.000-07:00

Guild-Signatory Agents and Agencies:

'via Blog this'

Fiction Submission Guidelines for Elizabeth Pomada

2011-10-31T17:03:00.000-07:00

Fiction Submission Guidelines for Elizabeth Pomada:

'via Blog this'

The Hump Stitch

2011-08-20T05:33:00.001-07:00

A Stubborn Woman: Hump Stitch

Crocodile or Alligator Crochet Stitch Pattern

2011-08-20T03:57:00.000-07:00

I just had to try this as I had never heard of it before. As I worked it, I realized it was a stitch my Mother had used on the ruffled skirts of the 'Bed Dolls' that were popular back in the 1950's. So, it is a stitch that's been around for awhile, but going under a new name.

I show the front and back. I didn't block it so it would look pretty, because I lost interest. I do have to say it is a completely easy pattern to do and if you do like it and want to try making a scarf, you can go to the link below and visit :

biStitchual: Hooking & Needling Fun!

http://bistitchual.blogspot.com/2011/03/crocodile-stitch-scarf-pattern.html

There you will find the pattern for the scarf and her notes about how to do the stitch. (Her pictures are better, too.)

On another but similar note, today I found my mother's Afghan hook, which goes by another name, too. Today you know it as the Tunisian hook.

"A rose by another name would still smell as sweet."

2011-08-08T19:04:00.000-07:00

I used the hat with a twist pattern, but left out the twist. Now this is a pattern for sale on my stubbornwoman site. Click the link to go there. http://www.etsy.com/listing/78824065/ribbed-newsboy-hat-with-lined-brim-no-81

Here are some more samples of hats using the same pattern, but with small alterations	The brim of the newsboy is turned up and held with a gold color metal button.	I love the colors. All the yarn I had left was the pale salmon pink, so I dyed the finished hat with koolaid.

Using measurements rather than counting Stitches.

2011-07-24T15:35:00.000-07:00

This is the original pattern using a worsted weight yarn in wool

Same pattern using bulky yarn in wool, but left out the twist
This one will have fewer rounds and fewer stitches

Same pattern using a sport weight yarn in wool
I have more stitches per round and more rounds

Here I used a smaller yarn in cashmere
Wow. Many many rounds in this one.

However, all of the hats would start the twist at 3" and the diameter of the crown would be 8". The total length of the hats would all be 8" as well and all of the hats will fit the same size head.

Next Project for the Blog

2011-07-22T21:37:00.000-07:00

I have the germ of an idea of how to spend this year. It all began with the purchase of ergonomic crochet hooks to protect my wrist and the loss of my PC data. I had to re write my most popular pattern for 6 customers. I didn't have the correct yarn, so I went down one size.

After working it all out, I crocheted a hat in a smaller yarn, then another in a larger yarn. Interesting. The way I write my patterns, it works out.

Instead of crocheting to a number of stitches per row or round, I crochet to a size of diameter of opening and length of crown. With this technique, it really doesn't matter which size yarn I use!

So... this year, I am going to work it all out on my blog as a looonnnngggg tutorial.

Seventy?

2011-07-15T01:57:00.000-07:00

Hard to believe I will be 70 years old this month, but know what? I look forward to the next decade. This is me on Mother's Day, 2011.

Yarn Swift

2011-07-03T07:40:00.000-07:00

I have used many things as a substitute for a yarn swift, but this is as good as an extra pair of hands. It is actually designed to hold food over a candle flame to keep it hot at banquets.

I just turned it upside down. The sloping sides will fit most open skeins.

Trying my Hand on Crocheted Necklaces

2011-06-28T04:01:00.000-07:00

This is my first try with this technique. I did it mainly to prove to my grandson that I could do it.

Done in cotton thread. You can see it in my shop here:

http://www.etsy.com/listing/76434679/crochet-floral-necklace-in-pink-lt-green

2011-06-28T03:46:00.000-07:00

As you can see, I am crocheting again, but keeping to wool and acrylics. This photo is taken in natural light from a window facing north. One of my favorite yarns in mulberry wool with multi color accents and an accent of white.

I wanted to do an Architectural hat. Has terraces on top and a leaf on the side that is crocheted as part of the hat, not added on.

you can see it in my shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76635429/wool-crochet-cloche-boutique-hat

Going with the same theme, Architectural, terraces, I chose a tangerine acrylic and a wide band of the multicolor acrylic yarn used above.The tassel and flower are add-on's.

I really love this one!

You can see it in my shop here:
http://www.etsy.com/listing/76638934/cloche-tangerine-acrylic-crochet.

Sheepishly, I admit, I never read the camera manual. My Kodak has a setting for manual exposure, the one thing I was mad about not having! Sheesh, after owning and using it for 6 months!!!!

When the Pup Wants to Play Ball

2011-06-22T12:30:00.000-07:00

When the Pup wants to play ball and I want to watch TV, I have to crochet. I've had him since he was 8 wks. old, so he knows that when I crochet he is to leave me alone. Last night, I made this. I didn't have anything in mind, just crocheting and watching the TV.

Doing some crochet again

2011-06-19T19:35:00.000-07:00

Fun Hat

Started doing some crochet again. As long as I keep it simple and use soft yarn, I'm OK.

I didn't list this one in my shop.

Google has changed

2011-06-15T17:59:00.000-07:00

Everyone has been complaining of lower views, slower sales. The following link may be just the info you need

http://www.etsy.com/teams/7722/business-topics/discuss/8523243/page/47/?post_id=91674287&prior_page=1

Update on wrists

2011-06-08T19:18:00.000-07:00

For those who missed it, crocheting with the raffia ribbon was tough on my arthrytic wrist. I love the results, but the process is hard. I will crochet with the raffia again, but not every day like I did before.

Instead, I've been making these:

Instead, I've been making these

Pattern template I used

2011-05-26T14:37:00.000-07:00

Crochet Rafia Pattern

PDF Pattern #1 Rayon Raffia Brimmed Hat. I decided this is the easiest hat to start with. It uses sc, dc, hdc and reverse sc. The hat is crocheted in the round.

I give instructions on finishing, joining yarn and making it in small, medium and large. The photos show the hat from the top to the end of the brim. Click here to purchase for $6.50

What? You thought this was a hat site? It is....

2011-05-24T13:19:00.000-07:00

Template used

		Photos show rose with/without varnish
		click photo to zoom

Doesn't this look like chocolate?

Until my wrist heals, I can't crochet any hats, so for now, it is accessories. I love leather, but so far, the best I can do are flowers.

2011-05-23T12:36:00.000-07:00

Click to see larger

While my wrist heals (after making the blue basket -- I should have waited!)
I cut out some leather roses and have started working with them.

The caramel colored one is thin leather with a hard glossy finish. It wouldn't take moulding. The brown one is softer and thicker, so it moulded perfectly.

I found the instructions on how to make these online at http://abigailscraftshowto.com/2010/04/how-to-make-moulded-leather-flowers/
They are fun to make if you like flowers. I used the same pattern to make two felt flowers.

Leather accessories are now sold on
http://bettyatkins.etsy.com

A jewel of a basket

2011-05-19T01:58:00.000-07:00

I'm starting to really get this. When using sc, the patterns I have using hdc or dc just don't work. Patterns meaning hat patterns. it is a whole new world and new techniques. Even the way I hold the hook is different.

These little baskets end up being very stiff, so they are perfect for holding trinkets or just putting on a shelf to admire.

I am really having fun... can you tell?

I can barely wait to make another one, but must use restraint as it is really hard on my wrist.

My second Love -- Baskets

2011-05-18T15:15:00.000-07:00

I have always been drawn to baskets. I have wanted to make them but have never had the opportunity nor the resources. Since I started crocheting with raffia ribbon, the idea that I could crochet one has kept turning up. So, I tried it out. Here is a photo of my efforts... photos? maybe.

What really matters

2011-05-18T14:31:00.000-07:00

My mother and I lived together for over 50 years. When her mother died, Mama kept the things that meant a great deal to her. One of these was Grandma's sewing table. Inside the table were all of the notions she had used or kept over the years. When it was my mom's turn to leave I invited my children to come get what they wanted, but I kept the sewing table.

Now the table holds a mishmash of notions from all three of us. If I need something, I can usually find it in there. Today while rummaging through it I found 6 thimbles. I know which are mine as I never worked in fields, so my fingers are smaller than theirs. There was even a tiny thimble I used as a child. It could have been saved by either one of them. Grandma's quilting thimble is the largest and the oldest.

Above is a photo of Mama taken in 1949.

I am showing only 4 of the thimbles because I am using the others to make a moulded leather flower. The tiny one is mine.

What would you like?

2011-05-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

This blog is new, only 3 months old. What would you like to read about? I will try my best to accommodate your interests, but I do need some input if this blog is going to help you.

Crochet Rayon Raffia Bowler Hat adjustable by theoldhooker on Etsy

2011-05-10T15:52:00.000-07:00

Crochet Rayon Raffia Bowler Hat adjustable by theoldhooker on Etsy: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Why?

2011-05-09T13:59:00.000-07:00

I can sell tons of patterns on my sister site on Etsy (http://stubbornwoman.etsy.com), I sell lots of custom hats on my oldhooker etsy site (http://theoldhooker.etsy.com)but I can't 'give' away the finished hats I have listed? I don't understand this. The custom hats cost just the same, so it can't be that my prices are too high. It has to be a marketing matter. I market all the time... so what gives?

Look at me, I'm pretty nice. At least it looks like I am. Help this old grannie! Buy a hat! PLEASE! Use the code TOH2011 and get 30% off.

Coupon

2011-05-01T09:39:00.000-07:00

Brimmed Crochet Woman's Hat in Raffia by theoldhooker on Etsy

2011-04-23T20:46:00.000-07:00

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

Crocheting with Raffia ribbon

2011-04-21T02:15:00.000-07:00

Be careful which ribbon you choose as they all have different properties. Wraffia is lighter weight than Wraphia and makes a softer hat, while Wraphia makes a stiffer hat. You can find some patterns around the web for crocheting with rayon raffia ribbon and paper raffia ribbon. I haven't tried any of them so can't recommend any of them.

What I have found when crocheting is that different colors of the same brand tend to work up in different ways. You'll need to experiment. So far, I have no patterns that translate to the different yarns. When you do buy a pattern, use the type of ribbon they recommend and the same color.

I had no idea others were making hats like this when I first tried them out. Everything has been an experiment. You need to rest more because the raffia ribbon requires more physical strength than wool or cotton, etc. Lately I have been using the wrist guard I got when I sprained my wrist.

Custom Hats

2011-04-20T02:39:00.000-07:00

I am selling more made to order hats than I am the ready made ones. It is really fun e-mailing back and forth with the customers and getting to know them.

My new hat

2011-04-16T17:40:00.000-07:00

I made myself a new Spring/Summer hat. I used wheat-gold rayon raffia yarn, trimmed with a lighter gold and added flowers and leaves in Raffia with some vintage mother of pearl buttons.

Now that the photos are scattered around, I'm thinking I should have made a table!

Top 10 Ways to Communicate Using Color

2011-04-11T18:32:00.000-07:00

Top 10 Ways to Communicate Using Color
This is a great article! Find out why you like a certain color.

Hats

2011-04-11T13:35:00.000-07:00

I love to crochet, but only hats. A shawl is a shawl. A Blanket is a blanket. But, a hat is a Hat! When I start a hat, I generally have a picture in my mind, but, as I work I can always say, 'Let's try this... or that." I can experiment with the form.

Form! That comes from my years in Architecture. Form is more important to me than embellishment. I like to experiment with form. Always.

Hats are exciting. Anything else is work.

Crochet Raffia Out on a limb New Fascinator Hat by theoldhooker

2011-04-09T01:06:00.000-07:00

Crochet Raffia Out on a limb New Fascinator Hat by theoldhooker: "- Sent using Google Toolbar"

Murphy's Law

2011-04-08T03:43:00.000-07:00

Yep, It is always the custom item sold that you have trouble with
1st) new type yarn was late arriving to me
2nd) client paid
3rd) up all night finishing hats
4th) new yarn stretched when blocking, instead of shrinking
5th) took over an hour to work out how to correct stretching
6th) took way long to do all above
7th) exhausted, took short nap but got up in time to meet the mailman
8th) crashed

BTW, Lowered some prices

2011-04-05T16:51:00.000-07:00

Now 45.50USD

was 68.00USD

I have a new supplier (see uggg). Their products are of a higher grade than what I have been using, plus they are less expensive, in State (and I ordered one to check them out). Love them. So, I lowered some prices of raffia hats in my shop. I also took the leather embellishments off to be sold separately.

uggg

2011-04-05T16:45:00.000-07:00

Don't you just hate it when you've ordered something and it doesn't arrive when it should have! I told a custom order person that my supply to make her item would arrive today. Hopefully it will get here tomorrow!

Rayon Raffia

2011-04-05T03:30:00.000-07:00

I have accidentally found that using a low heat setting on an iron helps one to block hats made from Raffia. On one hat that I wasn't planning on selling, I wet it, put it over my mannequin's bare head to form it. Then I let it dry and used the iron to flatten out the brim. My next experiment is to use the steam setting instead of wetting the hat. I am just about positive it will work. I'm just waiting for another hat to experiment with as the first hat looked so good I listed it for sale online.

Little Thoughts of Spring by CherishedDreams on Etsy

2011-03-31T17:46:00.000-07:00

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

I'm a Survivor

2011-03-31T04:30:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-29T16:40:00.000-07:00

Natural Raffia vesus Rayon Raffia

2011-03-29T02:06:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-28T13:45:00.000-07:00

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.

2011-03-25T12:49:00.000-07:00

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

Raffia Hats II

2011-03-24T18:29:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-19T16:35:00.000-07:00

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

2011-03-11T15:51:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-08T17:39:00.000-08:00

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

2011-03-06T05:23:00.000-08:00

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

Why I Created This Blog

2011-03-02T05:44:00.000-08:00

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.