Finally, here’s the finished Hairpin Lace Beret made from a modification of the Skullcap in Hairpin Lace pattern. Here, I used heavier weight yarn to increase the body of the cap, and then I modified the edging of the cap’s brim to create a band that decreases in size to fit around the head. If the brim is still too loose, simply crochet another decreasing row around the beret.

Using the same pattern for the Skullcap in Hairpin Lace Crochet with slight modification and change of yarn/hook to make a Beret.

While getting ready to go back to the country, WIPs have been piling up. For now, I see them as “take away projects”,

One take away project is a crocheted belt based on this antique Irish crochet lace evening belt from The Irish Lace Museum. The lace is worked in silk thread and hand beaded, and ties at the back with velvet and chiffon ribbon with pearl tips. This will be my practice project for learning Irish crochet, and hopefully in Baclayon, I will be able to focus and concentrate better on this project.

Antique Irish Crochet belt from the Irish Museum of Lace

I also have a failed project currently hibernating. Two days ago I embarked on an attempt to test my patience with crocheting a bolero, in particular, long and numerous rows of the same stitch pattern. I used green cotton thread size 8 and a 3mm crochet hook.

At that time, I noted:

July 30, 2010: But I really must learn to focus and be patient. I am now using a schematic for sizing (medium at the moment), and working with long rows for the patttern again (starting with the back section).

A wavy stitch pattern done in multiples of 6 - not so easy to make inc/dec for shaping!

Then in a few days later:

Aug 1, 2010: What a disaster. Plenty of lessons learned.

1. get the proper gauge swatch!
2. don’t trust measuring, count the rows!
3. establish inc and dec for the pattern before starting.
4. schematics are useful but I have a feeling it just isn’t right for crochet – ok for fabric but I think not really for crochet.
5. freeform is a lot easier!

I will try again!

And here is a work in transition. I was hoping to re-create a halter top I made in 2007, but using the square motif.

July 23, 2010: I find it really hard to focus when making very long rows of stitches. Thus, I am modifying the pattern to make it modular – strips of granny squares perhaps to be laced together (don’t want much sewing or sl st seaming either).

This started as motif square for a bolero/halter ...

July 3, 2010: This started as motif square for a bolero/halter that I was hoping to make but I thought it just wasn’t turning out right! So now it’s going to be a belt (I hope!). I need a wide lacy hip belt to cover up my bulging belly!

The transition is coming a long much better than I expected. Still under the influence of pineapples, there are pineapple motifs turning up in the process…