Accessories and more!

When I need a break from making hats, it's fun to make accessories.  They're the perfect palate cleanser--quick  and satisfying and a great way to stay creative on a small scale!  They have also been a sanity saver for me this holiday season.  I love being able to make something handmade, with love, for people I care about without committing too much time.  After all, I have A LOT of loved ones!  All of these projects took a few hours at most.

buttoned scarflet

rose headband

cup cozy

heavy neck warmer

Shell-stitch cloche (style) hats

I love cloche hats!  That flapper style gets me every time!  I think every girl in my life needs one!  A traditional cloche comes in a bit before flaring out at the bottom.  These hats are more of a cloche-style hat since my girls requested some (in the blue and grey) but didn't want the longer flared bottoms.

I think the shell stitch really enhances this very feminine style.

I especially like adding an eyelet row, crocheted ribbon and flower embellishment.

Perhaps the only thing that can make it better is having one to match your favorite friend!

with matching American Girl doll-sized hat

Nerdy scarf-hat

When I drew my brother-in-law in my family's Christmas gift exchange, I was stumped.  I was actually a little bummed that I didn't get one of the gals.  I envisioned myself crocheting a pretty hat or scarf.  Something girly with floral embellishments.  What on earth was I going to make for a 20-something guy? Luckily my youngest sister came to the rescue!  She described her husband as someone that is cool enough (and cute enough) to pull off something dorky.  She asked if I could make him a nerdy, bright colored hat with a huge pompom on top and two scarves for earflaps.

After I finished it and mailed it off I worried and fretted and stressed about it.  What if instead of being nerdy in a good way it was just lame?  Luckily my sister knows her husband a lot better than I do and she was right--he is cool enough (and cute enough) to pull it off!  And he really seems to like it!

my brother-in-law and nephew in their hats