Patons Pattern via Pinterest

Previously I posted of my newly found fixation with Pinterest. I was quite taken with a crochet hat pattern I came across and had to make it for myself. I chose to make it in the heather gray color of the original, and I found the pattern easy to follow and well written. It also includes a symbol crochet chart for quick reference, which I love!

Here is my finished hat:

And below is the original pin from Pinterest. This will link you to the pattern by clicking on it, or you can click here for the Patons pattern (login is required, but it's free to sign up).

Source: patonsyarns.com via Julie on Pinterest

It was easy enough for me to embed this into my blog. I clicked on the pin from my original board that I had pinned it to and was then given the option to embed it. I clicked on the embed button, copied the html information, then in my blog post I changed from compose to html view. I then pasted the html code and that was it - fantastic!

I really enjoyed making this pattern and my next project will be a pair of fingerless gloves to coordinate with my new hat. Perhaps it will be another pattern found through Pinterest?

Friday Finds: Boye Yarn Threader

This Boye yarn threader is a tool I just can't live without! These little yarn threaders make quick work of a tiresome job of weaving in ends. You simply push the hook of the threader through the eye of your yarn needle, grasp the yarn and pull it back through the needle. Now you're ready to roll!

 

What I love about this particular brand is that they are sturdy and strong. There are two hook sizes, one on each end, for threading different size yarns.The smaller end works great for crochet threads. I use the larger hook end for medium weight and larger size yarns. You can see in the photo below that you can also easily pull through two ends of yarn at the same time. You just have to use the correct yarn needle size to accommodate your yarn thickness.

 

There are other types of yarn threaders out there, particullarly ones with thin wire ends. I don't like those threaders because it doesn't take long for the wire to break, and to me, the whole point is not having to try and jab the yarn through the needle, and with the wire ends you are still jabbing the yarn through the needle threader.

I have several of these and keep them in my crochet kits so they are always at hand. If you've never used this type of threader, give them a try, you'll be pleasantly surprised at their usefulness!

Friday Finds: Laurel Hill Crochet Hooks

Today's Friday Find will be focusing on Laurel Hill Crochet Hooks.These hooks are crafted of fine hardwoods "available in sustainable, exotic woods of Ebony, Nam Oc and Trai" according to the website. They are available in sets or can also be purchased separately. A lady in my crochet group had brought along her new set one evening and we all admired them. She let me try them out and I was "hooked" and decided to jump in and purchase a whole set.  Sizes include: D, E, F, G, 7, H, I, J, K, L, and M. They are extremely smooth and silky with no annoying burrs that snag yarn. My set are Nam Oc and arrived in the lovely green and blue hook holder pictured below.

Another thing I like about these hooks is that the end of the handle doesn't jab into my palm as happens with some aluminum hooks when I work with them. Perhaps it's the placement of the thumb notch which corrects this. The thumb notch makes the hooks comfortable to use for extended periods of time and I find it helps me to keep a consistent gauge. 

I usually like longer hooks than the 6 inches that these are (mostly because of the annoying palm jabbing that I mentioned) but I like that this set takes up less space in my project bag. I also tend to worry less about them than my other longer wood hooks. I don't worry as much that somehow I'm going to snap them in half accidently as they are made of very hard wood. Truly made to be a workhorse of a tool.

I do like these hooks very much, I just wish they had the larger sizes too!