Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

FIBER FESTIVAL 2009

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Samples of Yarn Entered in the Yarn Competition 2009 MO Fiber Retreat

Samples of Yarn Entered in the Yarn Competition 2009 MO Fiber Retreat

The past three years, DJ and I have attended the Missouri Fiber Festival in Jefferson City, MO in March.  This year, through a series of circumstances that made getting away that particular weekend difficult for both of us, we decided to delay our excursion til this coming weekend.  We missed the Fiber Festival.

Each year, the Fiber Festival, presented by the University of Missouri Extension Center, offers classes in a variety of fiber related arts and crafts.  There is knitting, weaving, tatting, dyeing, felting, preparing wool from shearing to yarn, beading, and other classes.  Crochet usually gets short shrift here.  DJ and I know and accept this, although not without complaint.

After each class, the teachers pass out evaluation sheets for the classes.  After each day’s events, there are evaluation sheets to be completed by all who attend.  Each year, I carefully write down our strong desire to have crochet classes.  I’d like to see a cable class.  I’d like to see Entrelac taught.  I’d like to see courses on crochet pattern design.  I’d like to see crochet and crocheters treated as first class.  Apparently, this is not forthcoming.

So, who loses?  Well, this year, the folks at the Fiber Festival didn’t get a penny from DJ or me.  We chose to turn our annual Fiber Festival into a Women’s Weekend Out and will teach ourselves a new technique.  When we’re not applying ourselves to the tasks at hand, we’ll be haunting the great thrift stores in Jeff (as we locals refer to our state capitol) and consuming far too many pancakes and ice cream cones.

Classes or not, I’m really  looking forward to this weekend.  I’ve lined up my book, my yarn and hooks, a pattern I want to work on, and plenty of cash to indulge myself with a few crochet-related goodies and hidden treasures only to be found (in my price range) at the thrift store.

I’ll let you know how it goes.

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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.