My site, along with another, has been chosen by Sutty Girl as her choice for "Site of the Week". Thank you Sutty, I am honored to be chosen by you.

I stopped worrying about trying to come up with patterns and went back to working on chemo caps and what do you suppose happened. I finished 9 hats and created 3 new patterns. I've only posted 2 so far but I'll get the other one posted soon.  All in all, not bad for 3 days work.

J Hook
Red Heart Super Saver Fleck, Aran Fleck
Hat size Adult medium/large
relaxed measurements 21½"; stretched measurements 24"

gauge: 3 rows=2"; 6 sts=2"

ROW 3: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st) around. Join in top of beg ch. (36 sts)

ROW 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 2 sts, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts) around. Join in top of beg ch 3. (48 sts)

ROW 5: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 3 sts, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts) around. Join in top of beg ch 3. (60 sts)

ROW 6: Ch 3, dc next st and in each st around. Join in top of ch 3. (60 sts)

ROW 7: Ch 3, cluster in next st, (dc in next st, cluster in next st) around. Join in top of beg ch 3.
(30 clusters and 30 dc's)

Note: cluster st=*yo, insert hook in st, yo, pull up a loop, yo, draw thru 2 loops on hook* repeat from * 3 times more, yo, draw thru 5 loops on hook. (cluster made)

ROW 8: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next st and in each st around. Join in first sc. (60 sts)

ROW 9: Repeat row 7. (30 clusters and 30 dc's)

ROW 10: Repeat Row 8. (60 sts)

ROW 11: Repeat row 7. (30 clusters and 30 dc's)

ROW 12: Repeat row 8. (60 sts)

ROW 13: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, 1 sc in next 9 sts, dec over next 2 sts (1 sc in next 10 sts, dec over next 2 sts) around, join in first sc. (55 sts)

Note: dec over next 2 sts = insert hook in next st, pull up a loop, insert hook in next st, pull up a loop, yo and pull thru 3 loops on hook.

ROW 14: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, 1 sc in next st and in each st around. (55 sts)

ROW 15: Repeat row 14. (55 sts)

ROW 16: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sk next st, 4 sc in next st, sk next st, (sc in next st, sk next st, 4 sc in next st, sk next st) around. Join in first sc. (70 sts) Fasten off and weave in ends. 

This is a small beret like hat that works up quickly and will make a very nice chemo cap. It's hard to see in the picture, but it has 2 rows of the berry stitch, which gives the hat a little more interest around the face.

VERY BERRY

copyright  © 08/16/04 Dot Matthews

Hat size Adult Medium/large
Hat measures 21" relaxed; 24" stretched

K hook; Caron Simply Soft, or any WW yarn
Gauge 3 rows = 2"; 6 dc's = 2"

Note 1: Beginning ch 3 counts as first stitch
Note 2: Join rows, but do not turn.
Note 3: Numbers in ( ) at end of rows depict number of stitches for that row.

Special Stitches:
Berry Stitch - Insert hook in stitch, pull up a loop, (yo, draw through 1 loop on hook) 3 times, yo, draw through last 2 loops on hook to complete the stitch.

decrease (dec) - pull up a loop in next st, pull up a loop in next st, yo and draw through all 3 loops on hook.

ROW 1: Ch 4, 11 dc in 1st st. (12 sts)

ROW 2: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 2 dc in ea st around. Join in top of beg ch 3. (24 sts)

ROW 3: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next st, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st) around. Join in top of beg chain 3. (36 sts)

ROW 4: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 2 sts, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts) around.  Join in top of beg chain 3. (48 sts)

ROW 5: Ch 3, dc in same st as join, 1 dc in next 3 sts, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 sts) around. Join in top of beg chain 3. (60 sts)

ROW 6: Ch 3, 1 dc in next st and in each st around. Join in top of beg ch 3. (60 sts)

ROW 7: Repeat row 6.

ROW 8: Repeat row 6.

NOTE: A  Berry Stitch is made similar to a single crochet but when you have 2 loops on hook, instead of yarn over and draw through both loops on hook to complete the single crochet, do 3 chains, then yo and draw through both loops on hook.

ROW 9 (Berry Stitch Row): Ch 1, Berry Stitch in same stitch as join and in each stitch around. Join in first berry stitch. (see special stitch instructions at beginning of pattern). (60 berry stitches)

ROW 10: Repeat row 9. (60 berry stitches)

ROW 11: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next st and in ea st around. Join in first sc. (60 sts)

NOTE: Hat size can be adjusted at this point. For a larger size, repeat row 11 instead of doing row 12, then go on to row 13.

ROW 12: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next 2 sts, (dec over next 2 sts, sc in next 3 sts) around. Join in first sc. (48 sts)

ROW 13: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next st and in ea st around. Join in first sc. (48 sts)

ROW 14: Ch 1, sc in same st as join, sc in next st and in ea st around. Join in first sc. (48 sts)

ROW 15: Ch 1, sl in same st as join, ch 1, (sl st in next st, ch 1) around, join in first st. Fasten off and weave in ends.

copyright © 08/12/04 Dot Matthews

Materials
J hook
4 oz Red Heart Hokey Pokey, Robins Egg

With J hook, gauge= 3 rows = 2" and 7 sts = 2"
J hook makes a 22" hat
G hook makes a 18" hat
H hook makes a 20" hat

Note 1: beginning ch 3 counts as first stitch
Note 2: numbers in ( ) at end of rows state number of stitches for that row
Note 3: rows are joined, but not turned at the end

ROW 1: Ch 4, 11 dc in 1st ch, join in 3rd ch of beginning ch. (12 sts)

ROW 2: Ch 3, (2 dc in next st) around, end with 1 dc in the join of previous row. [that's the stitch right next to the beginning ch] join to top of beginning ch (24 sts)

ROW 3: Ch 3, 2 dc in next st, (1 dc in next st, 2 dc's in next st) around. Join in top of beginning ch (36 sts)

ROW 4: Ch 3, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 2 sts) around, to last 2 sts, end with 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next st. Join in top of beginning ch. (48 sts)

ROW 5: Ch 3, (2 dc in next st, 1 dc in next 3 dc) around to last 3 sts. End with 2 dc in next st, 1 dc in last 2 sts. Join in top of beginning ch. (60 sts)

ROW 6: Ch 3, (1 dc in next st) around. Join in top of beginning ch. (60 sts)

ROW 7: Repeat row 6. (60 sts)

ROW 8: Ch 3, 4 dc in same st as join, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts, (5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, sc in next st, sk 2 sts) around. Join in top of beginning ch 3. (50 dc's and 10 sc's)

ROW 9: Sl st in next 2 sts, ch 1, sc in same st, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 sts, (sc in next st, sk 2 sts, 5 dc in next st, sk 2 st) around. Join in 1st sc. (50 dc's and 10 sc's)

ROW 10: Repeat row 8.

ROW 11: Repeat row 9. Fasten off and weave in ends.

NOTE: For longer hat, continue repeating row 8 and row 9 until hat fits the way you want it to.

CURLS FOR SARAH'S SHELLS

1. Leaving a long tail, Ch 30, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc in next st to within 3 sts of end of chain, sl st in next st.

2. ch 25, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc in next st to end of chain, sl st in next st.

3. ch 25, 2 dc in 4th ch from hook, 3 dc in next st to end of chain, sl st in last st, then sl st in first dc of first curl. Leaving a long tail, fasten off. Do not weave in ends.

4. Tie the 2 tails together, and pull both tails through the center top of hat to the inside. Separate the tails and weave one tail under one or 2 stitches and weave the other tail under one or 2 stitches directly across from it.

5. Tie the tails into a bow if you wish to have the curls removeable or tie the tails in a knot if you want them to be permanent. Weave in ends if the curls will be a permanent part of the hat.

Just in case you were worried about me, I wanted to tell you that I no longer have a constipated brain. I've found a great place to buy yarn (AC Moore) and I've managed to finish 2 hats and even created a new pattern. It's not much but it's a start.

I'm just about ready to send off 4 designs to Lark Books. I'm really looking forward to seeing how that pans out. Wouldn't it be fun if they actually did choose to publish them?

Oh, and one more thing. I just got back from the heart specialist and he is very happy to tell me not to come back. I'm OK. He actually is surprised. Lungers, (as he called me) usually have very bad heart problems due to the heart having to work so hard to pump blood to the lungs. But I'm not showing any signs of heart disease. Makes me a very happy hooker!

I want to know who'se been keeping this place a secret. I had never even heard of it until just recently and had no idea there was one anywhere in this state, let alone only a few miles from my house. Well, I was out and about today and decided to take a look. I am so in love with that place! I've never seen so much different yarn in my life. It's a good thing I didn't have any money or I would have spent every last penny in there. As it is I spent $39.00 that I didn't have to spend...I'll figure out which one of my medicines I can do without later. Just kidding, I won't do without the meds, but I really shouldn't have spent the money on yarn. I can't wait to get back there again and spend more money I don't have for more yarn I don't need. Who am I kidding? I always NEED yarn!

I wish I knew what my problem is. It never fails, if somone offers to pay me for a project all my creativity comes to a screaching halt! I'm so frustrated at this point I can't stand it. I can't even follow a pattern from start to finish. Not my own, and not anyone else's either. If I'm just crocheting cuz I love to crochet I can't put the hooks down, but if I'm crocheting cuz someone else wants me to, I can't make myself do it. I wonder if it has anything to do with trying to please someone else and not myself. Hmmmmm, maybe that's it. Or, maybe it's because when I'm just crocheting because I want to it's fun, but when I crochet for money it becomes a job and I hate to work! I hope I get over this soon because I want to get back to crocheting and not crofrogging!

Keep those ears nice and toasty when the winter winds start to blow. Seems like a long way off with all the 90 degree days we've had lately, but cold weather will be back before we know it. So why not get a head start fighting off the cold and try a headband for a change from a hat? I might even wear this one.

EAR COZY
copyright © 07/23/04 Dot Matthews

This is a headband intended to keep your ears warm in cold weather.
GAUGE: 6 rows=2 inches; 6 sts=2 inches.
Finished headband is 4" wide and 24" around.

Materials used:
K hook for foundation chain only
I hook, for remainder of project
WW yarn 3 oz approximately
small amount of boa for trim
large eyed needle for weaving in ends

NOTES:
1. Work in back loops only unless instructed to use both loops. The unworked loops will be used later in the pattern.
2. Do not join at end of rows, use a marker to indicate beginnings of rows.
3. Number in ( ) at end of rows indicate number of stitches in that row.

With K hook
ch 64, join to form a circle. Be careful not to twist chain.

Switch to I hook

ROW 1: Ch 1, sc in each ch around. (64 sts)

ROW 2: sc in next st and in each st around. (64 sts)

ROW 3 thru ROW 10: repeat row 2. Using a sl st and work through both loops, join last st of row 10 to first st of row 10. (64 sts)

ROW 11: Turn, ch 3, sl st in 1st free loop of row 9, (ch 3, sl st in next st) around. Continue around, and around, and around following the spiral of the unworked loops, until you reach the foundation chain. Leave the loops of the foundation chain unworked. Fasten off and weave in ends.

TRIM:
Attach Boa yarn in both loops of any st of row 10, ch 2, (dc in next st) around, join in top of ch 2. Fasten off and weave in ends.

Repeat trim row on other side.
Attach Boa in any free loop of foundation ch, ch 2, (dc in next st) around. Fasten off and weave in ends.

VARIATION: Skip the trim and work (ch 3, sc in next st), in all unworked loops, including row 10 and foundation row.
 

I've been tagged by an editor of Lark Books. OMG I'm so excited. She is actually interested in some of my designs. This is unbelievable!


Here's what I saw on my tag board:

Terry Taylor » Dot, would you be interested in submitting some designs for a new crochet book published by Lark Books? terry@larkbooks.com

How casual was that? If I blinked, I would have missed it.

and I answered...

Dot » Thank you Terry! Yes, I think I would be interested in submitting some of my designs. I've emailed you.

Didn't I sound cool, calm, and not at all affected by this? It's a good thing I don't have a camcorder...nobody saw me running all over my bedroom, jumping up and down, yelling and doing a happy dance. Spike was impressed! Excited is not something I do very often!

OK, you know me too well, I wasn't running, jumping and yelling, but I did get a fluttery feeling in my insides. That's me excited!

I'll keep you all posted on the outcome of this. I MUST buy more yarn.