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GIVEAWAY – (FORMERLY BLOGTEST) MARCH, 2010 WEEK #1

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I have two skeins of this lovely yarn (Color #241) for the winner of this month’s Giveaway.  Refer to the bottom of the post for all the rules.

Here’s the question for this week – Giveaway #3, Week #1

What would you make with these two skeins of yarn?  Links to free patterns or a picture of a similar project appreciated.

Allegro Madil is a bulky boucle yarn composed of 85% wool and 15% nylon with 82 yards per 50 gram ball.  So, you have just over 160 yards to work with.  Hand wash, lay flat to dry.  Gauge (hook/needle size) is not given but I’d use an ‘I’ hook or larger.  The color in this picture is a bit brighter than the skein I have in front of me.  I’d describe it as a lime green with flecks of grape and deep mauve.  Please don’t hold me to those color names.  Color is not my forte!  Suffice it to say that this yarn is about the color of the skin of a lime with flecks of two purplish colors.  Good enough???

Here are the rules:

Each item will be mailed to the winner by USPS – books by media mail.  For now, this contest will only be open to participants with a U.S. mailing address.

This is how it will work.  Each Monday, I’ll pose a question on my blog.  Everyone who answers the questions will be entered in the drawing on the last day of that month.  Some ‘answers’ may require you to post a link to a specific pattern or site.  The winner will be announced along with the next Monday’s question.  The winner will have 48 hours to contact me with mailing information.  If the winner doesn’t contact me, the prize will be offered on another occasion.

RESPONSES MUST BE POSTED HERE AND NOT EMAILED TO ME PRIVATELY OR POSTED ELSEWHERE FOR ENTRY.

TO MAKE IT CRYSTAL CLEAR, THE WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED ON THE LAST FRIDAY OF EACH MONTH AND THE WINNER MUST EMAIL ME ([email protected]) WITHIN 48 HOURS OF THE ANNOUNCEMENT.  So, for sanity’s sake, that deadline will really mean that I need to hear from you no later than 8 PM the following Monday (so you have plenty of time to email me and I’ll get the email for sure even if I don’t sign on to my email on a Sunday).

Simply enter to win by leaving a comment on this post answering the question posed.

Comments

  1. I would make a scarf most likely but I can’t work with wool and this has a high content of it. It is beautiful yarn and I know the winner will come up with something really terrific.

  4. i would most likely make a cowl like this one from lion brand (Frosty Morning Cowl): [IMG]http://i140.photobucket.com/albums/r25/Ainadaliel/90596ada.jpg[/IMG]

    but get to 2 skeins of jiffy or homespun yarn and either do strips or two big section of each color.

    good luck to everyone 🙂

  6. I would make a scarf. A simple pattern that shows off the texture and the “flecks of two purplish colors.”

  7. I have a friend who is having a baby soon and I want to knit a cocoon-type swadling thingy. I think the green or the tan would be lovely! Thanks!

  14. I’m just learning to crochet, so it would have to be fairly simple, but it would be for my new granddaughter, Olivia. But I looked up Solomon’s knot from Kathryn’s response… wow, is that gorgeous!!

  15. I’d make a hat. Really simple, not requiring a pattern – just a filet pattern in a circle, then decrease the increases until you have the hat shape.

  17. What beautiful yarn! If I should be so lucky to win I would make an amigurumi toy poodle with this yarn! I would have to buy the book or find a pattern, but I think this would work! Thank you.

  18. I would make pet booties for my daughter’s guide dog. They just moved to Minn. from Florida so the weather has been a shock not only to her but her dog as well. The wool would prevent the cold and damp from getting to his paws.haven’t found a pattern yet that would be close to what I am looking for unless it would be baby mitts.

  19. I would not make an entire object out of this yarn unless I could find more of it, but pair it with a black or matching purple and make a couch through, some granny squares made on a k or l hook, nice and airy, light weight, just enough to ward of the air conditioning chill of summer. Sorry no link, at work-but the basic granny square from lions brand website would work just on a larger hook.

  20. I really want to make a cute sweater for my daughter. This would be a perfect yarn. Sorry I wish I had a link to add. I have the pattern at home though…

  21. Hi there
    Lovely yarn great giveaway
    I would create a warm and wooly scarf for my darling dil
    thanks for the oppotunity
    Cheers
    Catie

  23. These funky little crocheted pocket dolls that are in all colors for the diversity of people and wishes in the world.

  24. If I’d had it in time, I’d have made accent scarves for my daughters to wear on St. Patrick’s Day. Then they wouldn’t have been arm punched all day for not wearing green.

  28. maybe a scarf or a basketweave pattered hat. Variegated yarns don’t always show pattern stsitches well, but a basketweave (fp, bp) would work well with this yarn!

  36. A sweater for my daughter’s doll. It’s all in my head.. no link to any site for an idea.

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.