I Felted a Hat!

My friends were looking at me REALLY funny as i crocheted this giant "hat." I mean giant. Huge. Really massive, indeed! This, in fact is what it looked like when i tried it on:

No wonder they thought i was a nutcase. But i'm not a nutcase at all! (well, actually i kind of am, but that is beside the point) This giant hat was destined to be felted down to a normal hat size... and it almost worked. This was my very first felted hat experiement. I followed a pattern i found on Ravelry.com, and mostly did it right. The resultant hat is way thick, still a bit large and will definitely keep me warm and dry on even the soggiest camping nights. I wanted a rain hat, and i got one --- just maybe a bit thicker than i had anticipated. (Apologies for the blurry camera phone pics)

After wash #1

After wash #2

After wash cycle #3: we've got it!

Here's the original pattern:

Copyright Eleanor Howe

 My hat:

Not a total success, as you can see. It's kind of cute, and very warm... but also kind of huge still. Or as my darling husband would say "helmut-esque". Grr. I'm not sure if the yarn was too thick, my crochet hook was too big, i didn't felt it enough, or what... I wish the pattern maker would post pics of the hat BEFORE it's crocheted.  This was a great learning experience though, and 3 wash cycles later i have myself a decent, albeit REALLY warm hat to wear when i'm out tending the future sheep. Next time, i think i'll use lighter weight yarn. ;) In fact, i'm about to get spinning with some gray roving that will be destined for my second try... i hope it's a winner!

Have you ever felted a garment? Did you do it on purpose or was it a "laundry mistake"?

Recent Projects

My husband and i have long been planning a joint business venture of crafting, growing veggies and making cheese for market: selling our co-produced wares. It's mostly a future plan, but we've been gearing up to sell crafts and homemade products at a farmer's market this Fall. I was tinkering with some logo ideas the other day, and the very next day was approached by a friend asking me to sell at a small event she's putting together for mother's day.  

!

A bit sudden, and i'm not entirely prepared, but i felt it was 'a sign' or at least a catalyst to get off my duff and start working. I plopped down a decent chunk of change (investment costs?) on some soap making supplies, paper for packaging, and other items i'll need for my part of our project, and i'm getting some good work done!

The project will be known as The Relic Jar, and is a combination of my husband's brainchild and gourd art, with sewing assistance and herb knowledge by me. I've tacked on my own facet to the project, to be known as Tinctures and Tonics: assorted bath and body products, as well as candles and other crafty novelties. I'm also working on our little blog/website, TheRelicJar.wordpress.com - so bookmark that and check out the cool stuff being born over there.

In the meantime: here's a quick glimpse of what's going on in MY studio:

New desk from Thriftland, plus old spice rack to hold spools of thread and some curing soap (plus my old sewing stool, finally being used for actual SEWING)

Curing soap. Not entirely homemade this time, just some glycerine soap that i added botanicals, natural colors, and essential oils to. I quite like it - feels and smells good on the hands. Looking forward to playing with lye, though.

Recycled cup candles, and the first draft of packaging printed on paper made from hay.

And isn't this just pretty? 

I'll try and scatter some of this poppy's seeds by the Salvia 'Hot Lips' as their colors go so well together:

 

Here's to a productive week, happy Monday!

A New Addition to the Homestead

Meet Ken:

He's my fancy new Kenmore sewing machine. Purchased from my local Sears on sale plus a case and a 3 year warranty plan. A very fitting Birthday present if i do say so myself.

I am very excited to get working on some husband-wife crafts that have been held up by my old jammed machine. I'm also planning on developing some new products for my Etsy store and Baby Boutique.
I'm thinking some cute pillow cases, blankies, bibs maybe - with cute animals sewn on to match the critter and color theme in the wall art.  I think it's a cool idea and am excited to get to work.

 

Time honored brand.

 

Many different feet included, drop in bobbin, auto threading needle!

 

Cool stitches, easy to use.

 

Me = stoked!