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.

 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

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?

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

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

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

 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!!!!