Patriotic Top Hat

This hat was designed for a stuffed animal that will be in a Independence Day celebration but as I was making it, I considered all the alternative uses for a little hat like this.  It can be used as a centerpiece on your picnic table, it can be used for an Uncle Sam doll or teddy bears hat, it can be attached to a headband for a fun accessory.

My first draft of this pattern was a lot less polished than this.  Traditional color changes on such a small project left the hat looking messy.  By working stitches on the surface of the fabric, you achieve a much cleaner color change.  If this is your first time doing surface crochet, be sure to watch the video tutorial for best results.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out.  I love to see your FO (finished objects), if you make this or any of my projects or recipe, you can post pictures on my Facebook page.

Materials

Scraps of worsted weight acrylic yarn in Red, White and Blue.  

Size G crochet hook

yarn needle

scissors

Patriotic Top Hat

Red and white striped section (body of hat)

With red, ch 11

Row 1: sc in 2nd ch from hook and in each ch across, ch 1, turn.

Row 2: sc across, on the last st you will begin the stitch as normal but finish the stitch with white, ch 1 turn

Row 3: front post sc (fpsc) across, to be sure you don't miss a stitch its a good idea to count your stitches, you should have 10 fpsc, ch 1 turn.

Row 4: sc across, changing color on the last st, ch 1 turn

Row 5- 24: repeat rows 3 & 4. Your piece should have 6 red bands and 6 white bands. Fasten off leaving a tail to sew your seam.

Roll your work into a tube with the right sides facing out, sew the seam to close the tube.

Blue Band

Attach the blue yarn and work sc on the surface along the bottom edge. You will be working the stitches around the rows and the stitches will lay on the surface of the red and white striped section. Row 1: Work sc around to the beginning, sl st into the first st to join the round.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st into the beginning ch 1 to join the round

Row 3: Repeat row 2. Fasten off.

Embroider white stars onto the blue band, alternately you can glue felt stars on or leave it plain

Top:

Round 1: Make a magic ring, ch 2, 7 hdc into the ring, sl st to top of beginning ch to join.

Round 2: ch 1, sc in the same place, 2 sc in each st around, sl st into beginning ch 1 to join.

Round 3: ch 1, sc in the same place, sc in the next st, *2 sc in the next st, 1 sc in the next st, repeat from * around, sl st into the beginning ch 1 to join. Fasten off and leaving a tail to attach the top to the hat. Sew the top onto the end of the tube opposite the blue band.

Brim:

Row 1: Attach the red yarn around the post of any blue stitch, fpsc around, sl st into the first st to join the round.

Row 2: Ch 1, sc in the same place, 2 sc in each st around, sl st to beginning ch 1 to join the round.

Row 3: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st into the beginning ch 1 to join the round. Fasten off.

This pattern and tutorial is my own creation, made with love for you to use for yourself or to give as a gift.  Do not sell this pattern or projects made from this pattern.  Please credit me as creator and link back to this post when sharing.  Thanks.

Check out some of my other patterns
Slouchy Summer Hat
Basket Weave Beverage Cozy
Baby Teether Toy
Daisy Bonnet
Baseball Coaster

Coconut Macaroons

These are a favorite in my house.  I always make them at Christmas time to add to cookie platters because they are quick, easy, and budget friendly.  If you like coconut, you will love these cookies.


You only need 4 ingredients
8 ounces sweetened flake coconut (about 2 1/4 cup)
1/2 cup granulated sugar
4 egg whites
pinch of salt

Slouchy Summer Hat

A comfortable cotton slouch hat for warm summer days.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out.

This project was made with Sugar 'n Cream worsted weight cotton yarn in color Ecru and a size H crochet hook.  This hat can easily be adapted to smaller or larger sizes, it can be made slouchier or more form fitting, however you would like.  The size I made uses about 3 ounces of yarn.

Summer Slouchy Hat

Foundation: Ch 8, sl st in 8th ch from hook to form a ring

Round 1: Ch 3 (counts as dc though out), 19 dc into the ring, sl st into top of the beginning ch 3 to join

Round 2: Ch 6 (counts as beginning dc + ch 3), *skip a st, dc in next st, ch 3, repeat from * around, sl st into 3rd ch of the beginning ch 6 to join.

Round 3: Ch 3, dc in the same space, ch 3, skip 3 ch, *2 dc in the next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch , repeat from * around, sl st into beginning ch 3 to join.

Round 4: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, repeat from * around, sl st into beginning ch 3 to join.

Round 5: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, repeat from * around, sl st in top of beginning ch 3 to join.

Round 6: Ch 3, 2 dc in next dc, dc in the next 2 dc, ch 3, skip 3 ch, *dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc, dc in next 2 dc, repeat from * around, sl st in top of beginning ch 3 to join.

(if you would like a larger or slouchier hat, continue adding rounds, increase by 1 extra dc in each solid section for each additional row. Once the round is as large as you like, add 10 or more rows without increasing for the sides.)

Sides: Ch 3, *dc in each dc of the solid section, ch 3, skip 3 ch, repeat from * around, sl st in top of beginning ch 3 to join. Repeat this round 9 or more times until the hat is as long as you like.

Band: Ch 1, sc in each st around, sl st to ch 1 to join. Repeat this row of sc two or more times to make the band as wide as you like. If you made the hat larger you may want to make a wider band, and you may want to decrease by sc2tog evenly around so that the band fit your head without being too large.

Fasten off, weave in ends.

This is my design, be sure to link back to this blog post or the video when sharing.

Check out some of my other patterns

Simple Polka Dot Headband
Flower Band
Rainbow Swirl Hat
Starburst Motif
Coaster

This pattern was submitted to Hookin on Humpday on Moogly

Flower Band Headband, Belt or Trim

This is a very versatile pattern. The base of the pattern makes a cute flower band that can be used in many different ways.  I made mine into a headband or you can make a belt, strap, or trim.  It can be made in any sort of yarn or thread.

This pattern uses US crochet terms.  If you have any questions, leave a comment and I will do my best to help you out.  I love to see pictures of finished objects, you can post them on my Facebook page!






Flower Band
You can make this from nearly any sort of yarn or thread.  I used worsted weight acrylic yarn and a size G crochet hook.  The thread version I show in the video is made from size 10 crochet cotton thread and a size 7 hook.

For this pattern you will be working down the backside of the ch, insert hook into the back “bump” instead of under the two loops

Foundation Chain:
Multiples of 10 +8 For my headband I did 7 flowers = 70 + 8 = ch 78

Bottom Half of First Flower:
1 dc in the 4th st from hook (this is 1st petal), ch 4, dc in 4th ch from hook (this is the second petal, the ch stitch the dc is worked into becomes the center of the flower). Now counting on the foundation chain, sl st into the 9th ch, dc, ch 3. Turn the petals so that the chain that is the center is pointing up to the sky. Now you will sl st into the center of the flower, turning the work will make this easier. Ch 3, dc into the center, (this will make the 3rd petal). Now turn your work back to its original position. Ch 1, counting on the foundation ch, tr into the 5th ch. ( bottom half of first flower complete)

Bottom Half of Additional Flowers:
*ch 5, dc into the 4th ch from the hook, ch 4, dc in the 4th ch from the hook, counting on the foundation chain, sl st into the 5th ch, (flip petals if necessary so that center of the flower is pointing up) dc, ch 3, (turn work) sl st into the center of the flower, ch 3, dc into center, ch 1, (turn work back), counting on the foundation ch, tr into the 5th ch, repeat from * to the end

Top Half of Flowers:
Ch 1, turn the work, *sl st around the ch1 that is between the tr and the flower, dc, ch 3, sl st into the flower center, ch 3, 2dc in flower center, ch 3, sl st into center, ch 3, dc into center, sl st around ch 1 between flower and tr, ch 1, repeat from * to the end

Top Chain:
Ch 9, turn work, *sc into the space between the dc in the top petal, ch 5, tr into the ch 1 space between the flowers, ch 5, repeat from * to the last flower, sc into the tip of the top petal of the last flower, ch 3, tr into the last st. Fasten off, weave in ends.

To Finish:
Attach chains or lengths of ribbon to either end to make ties. If making in thread for a lace trim it will require wet blocking to look its best.

This is my original pattern, please link to this original post when sharing, thanks!

Check out some of my other patterns
Simple Polka Dot Headband
Basket Weave Beverage Cozy
Mini Woven Basket
Sunshine and Rainbows Bonnet
Sand Dollar Coaster


This post was submitted to the Hookin On Hump Day link up on Moogly

Pea Salad

This salad is so fresh and green.  A clean and bright side dish that works perfectly with grilled or smoked meats or other summer meals.  I like to bring this to cookouts and potlucks because its quick and inexpensive to whip up and its always a hit.  Its not the same old boring dishes but the ingredients are familiar enough so that its not intimidating.



The ingredients are:
1 pound frozen peas, thawed by rinsing and drained well
2 stalks of celery, diced
2 scallions, diced
a small handful of spearmint and parsley
1 lemon, zest and juice
3 TBSP olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste

Mix thoroughly and serve immediately or if making ahead pack the dressing separate and dress just before serving.

DIY Garden Markers

These garden markers were a lot of fun to make.  This video will show you step by step how to make these bright and colorful garden markers.  You can use these in vegetable gardens, flower gardens, container gardens or potted plants.

Smoked Deviled Eggs

When my brother told me about smoked deviled eggs he made, I knew I had to try them for myself.  I was planning on smoking a chicken anyway so I added a half dozen hard-boiled and peeled eggs to the smoker.  I smoked them at 225 degrees F for about 30 minutes.  I used apple chips but you can use any wood you like.

Once the eggs were smoked and cooled you proceed just like normal deviled eggs.  To make the filling I mixed the yolks with a couple tablespoons of mayo, a teaspoon or so of yellow mustard, a tablespoon of pickled diced jalapenos (with a splash of the vinegar brine from the jar) and salt and pepper.  I topped each egg with crumbled bacon and paprika.  If you have a favorite deviled egg recipe you can substitute that filling in these smoked eggs.

The eggs were so amazing.  They are satisfying on so many levels, creamy, smokey, spicy, savory.  They are not much more work than regular deviled eggs but they are so unexpected and different.  Give them a try, I'm sure they will be a hit at your next cookout or party.