Crochet

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FASHION FORECAST 2009

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If you’ve read my blog before, you know I’m certainly no fashion maven.  My idea of fashion is somewhere between Vintage Goodwill and Discount Digs.  If I find something I love, I’ll buy every color that suits me.  However, at thrift stores, the major source of my ‘fashions’, one seldom has multiple color choices.  So, I tend to stick to whatever will fit reasonably well into a wardrobe with basic black, gray, and brown slacks.

For years, I could find nothing in pink – my favorite color.  No tops, no sweaters, no nothing.  Then, several years ago, that changed and the stores were suddenly full of pink.  Pepto Bismol pink – my favorite on me – began showing up with regularity.  I began spending money at the mall!  Then these same goodies became available at the thrift store. Bonanza!!  Now, my closet is full of pink tops and I’m set for a while.

However, as we all know, we sometimes need to coordinate between, say a pair of black cords and a icy pink shell.  So, crocheted sweaters, scarves and vests become important.

I decided to go looking to see if I could determine what colors would be fashionable this Spring.  I ran across this website:

http://www.fashiontrendsetter.com/content/fashion_events/ciff/CIFF-Spring-Summer-2009.html

which contains not only color trends, but other information about what will be ‘hot’ this Spring and Summer.  Decided to share with everyone so we can all, finally, be ‘in fashion’.  Well, maybe I will be for a change.

What I especially was interested to see on this site was some of the profiles of the garments.  It seems that boleros and the looser constructed sweaters will still be stylish.  Hooray!  Easier for me than the tailored styles when it comes to crochet.

The colors they’re predicting are an interesting combination of pinks, lavenders, and yellows, a bit darker than pastels, but very attractive IMO.  I’m gonna find some yarn in one of these colors for the chevron cardigan I posted yesterday.

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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.