Crochet

Patterns, projects and techniques

Why You Should Buy Crochet Today! Nov/Dec, 2011

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I just got my hands on this latest issue of Crochet Today! magazine.  This is one of their best issues!  Of the 25 projects offered in this edition, FIVE of them are must-do’s and several others look quite promising.  That’s a really high average for me.

First, there are a couple of Christmas items which I find charming.  The Snowflake Garland, Wish Upon A Star tree topper, and Festive Wine Tags are cute projects which will work up quickly and make great gifts.

Nest are a couple of wearables that look quite special.  The Opal Skirt, a granny variant designed by Robyn Chachula, is a knock-out.  And, the For The Mom’s Shawl is a Solomon’s Knot project which will buzz through your stash.  The Cherub  Sweater and Booties, perfect for any little angel, are designed by Elena Malo and are absolutely adorable.

Then, there are 4 different afghan patterns in this issue.  Three of them make my To-Do List.  The Whimsey Blanket is a mesh background adorned with scattered motifs that will appeal to many.  The Building Bock Blanket is another stash buster that puts a nice spin on stripes and blocks.  Best, for me, is the Lancaster Quilt which takes a quilt-like pattern of color blocks to a very bright place.  I love its colors.

The remainder of the projects in this issue will appeal to a wide variety of crocheters.  Granny squares abound with 8 patterns including them.  I think this issue is a keeper.

Comments

  1. I was pleasantly surprised when I received this issue in the mail. Like you, there are quite a few patterns that I want to make.

  4. I was dispointed in this issue. It was mainly things made from grannie squares. Why are all the crochet magazines have such lousy patterns, and so simple. The knit magazines have better quality patterns. I wish the crochet industry would pick up better quality patterns. I’m not sure I will renew my crochet magazine subscription, very disappointed in the quality of the patterns. I can get most of these patterns for free.

  5. I am visiting England and can’t find the magaqzine at the shops. Do you send to England? Hope there are some left when I get home next week.
    Frustrated Crochet Today lover,
    Joan

  6. I know I’m taking a big chance but, do you still have this issue? I would love to get the Colorful Snowflake Garland pattern.

Have you read?

Red Melt The Ice Slouch Beanie Crochet Pattern Review

Some crochet projects are made simply because we need a warm hat. Some are made because we need a quick gift, a stash-busting project, or something easy to work on while watching television. And then there are crochet projects that carry a message.

This Red Slouch Beanie Crochet Pattern PDF sits firmly in that last category.

Inspired by the Melt the ICE craftivism movement, this red crochet beanie is more than just a wearable winter accessory. It is a handmade political statement — soft, practical, visible, and rooted in the long tradition of protest through craft.

You can find the Red Slouch Beanie Crochet Pattern PDF here.

Crochet as Protest

Crafters have always had a way of saying things with their hands. Quilts have carried coded messages, embroidery has documented women’s lives, banners have marched through the streets, and yarn crafts have wrapped public spaces in colour and defiance.

This beanie belongs to that same creative lineage.

The phrase Melt the ICE gives this pattern its political edge. It connects the humble red crochet hat to conversations around immigration enforcement, detention, family separation, human rights, community care, and the role ordinary people can play in public protest.

And that is what makes this pattern interesting. It is not loud in the way a placard is loud, but it is visible. A red handmade hat catches the eye. It invites questions. It gives the maker a way to wear their values without needing to shout over anyone.

Sometimes craftivism works because it is disarming. People expect political protest to be hard-edged, but handmade work brings something different to the conversation. It says, “I cared enough to make this stitch by stitch.”

About the Pattern

The pattern itself is beginner-friendly and refreshingly straightforward. The hat is worked flat in rows, then seamed and gathered to create a relaxed slouch beanie shape. That makes it especially approachable for crocheters who are still building confidence with wearable projects.

Instead of needing to work in the round or fuss with crown shaping from the start, you are essentially making a rectangle and turning it into a hat. I love that kind of construction because it gives beginners a real sense of achievement. You are not just practising stitches — you end up with something wearable and meaningful.

The design uses a textured crochet fabric, giving the finished beanie a cozy, slightly chunky look. The slouchy shape keeps it casual and modern, while the bold red colour gives it that unmistakable activist feel.

Why Red Matters

The red yarn is not just a colour choice here. It is part of the visual language of the project.

Red is urgent. Red is warm. Red is visible in a crowd. It can suggest anger, love, warning, solidarity, courage, and care all at once. For a political crochet project, that matters.

A red slouch beanie can be worn to rallies, community events, mutual aid gatherings, craftivism meet-ups, or simply out in everyday life as a quiet statement of support. It is one of those pieces that can be as bold or as subtle as the wearer wants it to be.

Of course, you could make the pattern in any colour, but for the Melt the ICE inspiration, red feels intentional. It gives the hat its message before a single word is spoken.