Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

A Pocket Full Of Crochet

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crochet wishing star

http://www.crochetdynamite.com/2012/07/mini-wishing-stars.html

When a child is embarking on a new adventure – like the first day of school or going off to college – it’s really nice for him/her to have a tiny, handy reminder of home, of the love of the family.  This can be a ‘touchstone’ of sorts.  If things get tense, the child (7 or 17) can reach in a pocket or backpack and fell the token of mom’s love.  The token needs to be small, attractive, and, above all, must not be an embarrassment if it’s discovered by anyone else.  This one is nicely titled A Wishing Star and you can get the pattern for free.

I love this tiny star!  It’s perfect to be that secret token.  If you read the text attached to it, the star was certainly not created for my intended purpose.  But it will work fine to be that token.  I’m sure there are other tiny crochet pieces that would work for this purpose.  A heart would be a good one – but might be hard for a boy to explain if discovered by another.  Any other ideas?

Another plus – you know me – is that you can use up your scraps or partial skeins to make a batch of these.  Why make one when you can please more kids, use them for their intended purpose, or just fill a pretty glass jar with them to set on your table.  Can’t go wrong with this one – and you just might give your kid a boost just when it’s needed – and s/he’ll only have to reach in a pocket to feel your love!

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Comments

  1. Love the idea of filling a jar with these! I crocheted a stuffed heart for my kids when they started kindergarten, they soo appreciated having that little fuzzy reminder of home with them.

Have you read?

Pattern Review: Georgie Granny Square Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern

The Georgie Granny Square Bucket Hat Crochet Pattern is one of those fun wearable crochet projects that has just the right mix of retro charm and modern festival style. If you have been seeing granny square bucket hats popping up everywhere and thinking, “I could make that,” this pattern is a lovely place to start.

This crochet bucket hat is worked in the round using granny-style clusters, giving it that familiar textured look without requiring you to join lots of separate squares. That is a definite win if, like me, you enjoy the look of granny motifs but don’t always feel emotionally prepared for a mountain of seams and ends.

The pattern uses worsted weight #4 yarn, with cotton or a cotton blend recommended, which makes sense for a summer hat. Cotton gives the hat a bit more structure and keeps it feeling breathable rather than floppy and sweaty. You’ll need around 80g of yarn, a 5.5mm crochet hook, scissors, and a yarn needle. The finished hat is designed to fit a head circumference of approximately 51–55cm / 20.1–21.7 inches, which puts it in the adult small/medium range.

What I like about this pattern is that it includes practical fit notes rather than pretending every head and every crocheter’s tension is magically the same. The granny mesh has stretch, and the pattern suggests trying the crown on after Round 5 before continuing with the body section. That is such a useful little check-in point, especially with hats, because nobody wants to finish the whole thing only to discover it either perches on top like a teacup or slides down over your eyes like a lampshade.

The instructions are written in US crochet terms and include a clear stitch key covering chains, clusters, double crochet, repeats, slip stitches, and spaces. The pattern also explains how the rounds are closed, how the beginning chain functions, and how to count the clusters at the end of each round, which is helpful for keeping the shape on track.

The construction is straightforward: you begin at the crown, continue down into the sides, and then work the brim. The brim shaping comes from an increase round that helps kick the edge outward into that classic bucket hat shape. Rounds 15–17 then hold steady to smooth out the brim edge, giving the hat a neat finish without making the shaping feel overly complicated.

I would call this an easy to confident beginner crochet pattern rather than a very first crochet project. You’ll want to be comfortable working in the round, counting repeats, and making double crochet clusters. Once the rhythm clicks, though, it becomes a relaxing, repeat-friendly project — the sort of crochet you can work on while half-watching TV, provided you don’t lose count during the increase rounds. Ask me how I know.

This pattern also has great colour-play potential. The yellow version feels sunny and wearable, the scrap yarn version has brilliant festival energy, and a red-and-green version would make a surprisingly cute Christmas market hat. It would also be a good stash-busting crochet project if you have leftover cotton yarns hanging around from dishcloths, bags, or summer tops.

Overall, the Georgie Granny Square Bucket Hat is a cheerful, wearable crochet pattern with strong Etsy appeal. It hits that sweet spot between nostalgic granny square style and modern handmade fashion, making it a great pattern for festival outfits, summer wardrobes, handmade gifts, and market sellers looking for a trendy crochet accessory.

Best for: confident beginners, granny stitch lovers, summer crochet projects, festival fashion, scrap yarn makes, and crocheters who want a wearable project that feels fun rather than fussy.