Hurrah! A finished yarncraftish type project! I just finished up this new tam from a pattern from 1920!
My cousins were the crocheters in the family. We all picked up yarn-ish type crafts around the same time, and I went for knitting while they went for crochet. I was was self-taught and may possibly be the world’s slowest knitter. Not only that, but I think I might have self-taught incorrectly! Something about it, I can never quite progress past a certain level and I’m really easily distracted which when you add slow speed + big projects means that I seldom actually finish anything, and when I’m done it doesn’t quite look how it’s supposed to. I’m much more likely to start something, get bored and put it away, then get inspired by something else some 6 months later, frog everything and start over. Ha. No wonder I’ve only completed a few projects!
Not so with crocheting, however! I was inspired by my cousins, so picked it up when I was sick a year ago. I plopped down on the couch with a few old movies and a few 1940’s “Learn How” books, and picked it up relatively quickly. I’m still pretty darn slow in speed, but for some reason it’s easier for my brain to wrap around (har de har… wrap around…). I’ve only finished a couple of projects. I got entirely overly ambitious and went straight from crocheted circles in yarn to teensy little hook and size 10 crochet thread 30’s blouse (which isn’t even CLOSE to being finished and probably never will be)… but figured out I don’t really like the texture of cotton thread and love the feel of yarns. Isn’t it funny how we’re drawn to certain fibres/textures as creative types? So I’m on the hunt for non-difficult, non-cotton thread clothing/accessory type projects to crochet. And darn it, if most of the super cute stuff is either in teensy tiny cotton thread or for knitting! If anyone has any tips or pointers for patterns I’d love to hear :)Sharing the goodwill, here’s a freebie of the pattern dated 1920 that I used for the tam. Maybe you can make up some for yourself or maybe even a few as Christmas gifts?
Click on the image above for a larger version of the instructions that you can save or print!This pattern was super easy. Why was it super easy? Cause I couldn’t figure out what the heck the stitch was for the pretty band and made it up with a popcorn stitch instead. Let’s just call it “being creative” ;) But I totally love it! I also didn’t realize that instead of decreasing stitches I was actually making raised stitches (which I’m now doing on purpose for another pattern). For only my second hat from a pattern I don’t think it’s too bad :) And it’s nice and warm! Maybe someday I’ll even add the pom poms.
Click on the image above for a larger version of the instructions that you can save or print!
Tasha
November 30, 2011 at 2:02 pm (12 years ago)That looks fantastic! Now of course you have to model it for us. :) I love the ‘being creative’ use of popcorn stitch! :D
I really am not a big fan of knitting with cotton, so everyone definitely does have preferences in terms of yarns and textures. Unfortunately I’ve never knit with anything thinner than laceweight yarn and never done thread crochet, so I’m not sure if they make something as thin as thread in wool. Surely someone does, however! Are you on Ravelry? If so, try doing a search under ‘Patterns’ because you can see what people used. I just put in thread as the weight of yarn, and while over 3,000 results came up with cotton, there are 12 merino, 5 wool, 30 rayon and various other fibers. A quick check showed some are actually lace, but it might be a good place to start. Plus, if laceweight yarn was light enough for some projects for you, there are oodles and oodles of options for that. :)
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:43 pm (12 years ago)Haha! But that would mean I’d have to look presentable ;) I’ll do it someday, I swear :)
And thank you for the tips on yarn weight! I admire so much all the beautiful knitting projects you do. I can only dream of someday being as good as you are!
Stephanie
November 30, 2011 at 2:17 pm (12 years ago)Cute! I am a pretty slow knitter too, but I just don’t get crochet. I tried once and it was a major fail.
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:48 pm (12 years ago)Oh no! It’s so funny how I think we tend to “get” one or the other. I thought I was ok at knitting, but my major projects totally failed, and after all that time spend working on them I got mighty discouraged. I think I’ll try it again, though :)
StephC
November 30, 2011 at 3:09 pm (12 years ago)Wow, thanks for posting that. I may be able to whip one up for a very chic friend back home. The hat is sososooooo cute!
If it makes you feel any better, I have a sweater vest that’s been nearly three years on the needles. It’s a thin thread of beautiful, tough alpaca done in a honeycomb stitch. Sadly, it’s a red-brown/steely gray color (prettier than it sounds) and I know I’ll never be able to wear it.
Maybe it’s time to move it on to a red-headed or blondie knitter….
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:44 pm (12 years ago)Thanks! And so glad to help! If you end up making it I’d love to see pics :)
Patricia Lynn
November 30, 2011 at 3:59 pm (12 years ago)Love the pattern! While knitting has always thrown me (I’m too tight), crochet is something I can actually grasp. It is so nice to see a crochet pattern, as I’m tired of the darling knitwear that only a knitter can do. Thank you!
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:44 pm (12 years ago)You’re welcome! Glad to help share the crochet pattern love :)
Sean MacKenzie
December 1, 2011 at 4:29 am (12 years ago)Ooo, I love. I’m definitely going to have to try this one out. I’ve been wanting a beret like this for some time. Thanks a bunch!
Merry Christmas, Lauren!
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:45 pm (12 years ago)You’re welcome, and thank you, too!
Merry Christmas!
Hausfrau
December 1, 2011 at 5:56 am (12 years ago)It’s awfully nice of you to post this pattern for us. I am not a knitter (…almost wrote “knot a nitter”…), and I rarely encounter good vintage patterns for stylish items like this hat. Thank you!
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:45 pm (12 years ago)No problem! If you make it I’d love to see pics!
ConstantlyAlice
December 1, 2011 at 8:31 am (12 years ago)You did beautifully! I actually really like the popcorn stitch band. I don’t know if it’s helpful at all, but http://www.freevintagecrochet.com/ has TONS of patterns, so you’re sure to find some that don’t use cotton. Also, when you search for patterns on Ravelry.com, I think you can specify yarn type.
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:45 pm (12 years ago)Ooh! wonderful! Thank you, I’ll certainly be poking around on that site!
wundermary
December 1, 2011 at 8:56 am (12 years ago)Wow, I think your version is way cuter than the model photo.
I learned to crochet from my grandmother and found that fairly easy. Knitting was a different story. It seems my experience is a lot like yours. You aren’t left-handed, are you?
In any event, it’s true that all of the super cute patterns are either for very fine work or knitted.
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:46 pm (12 years ago)Thank you!!
I’m not left handed, but I feel all fumbly when I have so many things to hold for some reason. Maybe I’m just not coordinated enough ;)
MademoiselleCoco
December 1, 2011 at 9:52 am (12 years ago)Wonderful !! I love what you’ve done ! Look so authentic !
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:47 pm (12 years ago)Thanks so much!
Heide
December 1, 2011 at 10:33 am (12 years ago)Very cute pattern! I think crocheting was more popular in the teen’s and twenty’s then knitting as I have seen a lot of patterns. I do have a few 40s and 50s crochet booklets. One is on hats ans purses! So they are out there, just keep looking!
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:46 pm (12 years ago)Ooh… very interesting and I can totally see that, since I’ve been looking for patterns. Good thing I’m a big fan of the teens! :)
Reagan Foy
December 2, 2011 at 5:18 pm (12 years ago)Love it! So excited that there is another crocheter out there. I haven’t picked up knitting yet either…I keep practicing but i get a couple rows done and I get exhausted. I think I need to try this pattern next, I’ve been wanting to do a slouchy beret. So thanks for sharing!
Lauren
December 8, 2011 at 1:47 pm (12 years ago)Thank you! I’d love to see it if you end up making one :)