Happy October and National Women’s Small Business Month! Additionally, the second Saturday of October is also I Love Yarn Day. Next to journaling, crocheting was one of Mom’s favorite hobbies. For centuries, hobbies have often been turned into small businesses – more so by women than by men.
Mom’s mom, my grandma, was a passionate and devoted crafter, as well as a very talented baker. She often sold her homemade items to supplement her Social Security income and Mom helped her promote her talents through her own, self-published, Secret RecipesTM Newsletter.
CROCHETED BRIMMED HAT
By Gloria Pitzer, as seen in her self-published newsletter… Gloria Pitzer’s Secret Recipes Newsletter (Secret RecipesTM, St. Clair, MI; Jan.-Feb. 1988, p. 11). [NOTE: As always, I’m asking only for proper credit if you care to share this.]
CROCHET A FLATTERING BRIMMED HAT in just a few hours – using only one skein of 4-ply yarn (a 3½-oz skein of 4-ply Orlon or Sayelle is preferred. But best results [were later found] using Red Heart 4-ply yarn!
I worked on this pattern, during our [Good Sam] trip down to Circleville, Ohio for the Pumpkin Festival, and was delighted when our friend, Arline Bower, helped me to refine and simplify the pattern.
HOOK NEEDS (depending on size of hat):
Small size: G-Hook for crown portion
G-Hook for brim
F-Hook for finishing row of brim
Medium size: H-Hook for crown
G-Hook for brim
F-Hook for finishing row of brim
Large size: I-Hook for crown
G-Hook for brim
F-Hook for finishing row of brim
INSTRUCTIONS (see abbreviations, pictured above, for reference):
With crown, center top, using appropriate size hook (above), ch 3 and connect into ring. Ch 3 for first stitch of this rnd. DC 7 sts into center of ring (total 8 sts). Connect first and last stitch of that rnd. Ch 3 for first stitch of second rnd. DC 1 stitch in nearest space and work 2 DC sts in each space around (8 V sts, which means 2 sts made in same space).
Connect first and last stitch of that rnd, together, and ch 3 for first stitch of next rnd, working DC in nearest space and then 2 DC in each space around, to give you 16 V sts. Next rnd – 2 DC sts in each space around, giving you 32 V sts… Using ½-DC stitch, continue on those 32 V sts for 14 rows for small size [or] 16 rows for medium size [or] 18 rows for large size.
Switching to a G-Hook (used in all sizes) – prepare brim, by working ½-DC in each space around. Mark center back for where you now begin each round or row. Second row of brim: Work ½-DC in each space, for first 3 spaces. In the 4th space, work 2 sts of ½-DC. Repeat these sts around for 2 rows (1-2-3-and then 4th & 5th sts in same space – increasing).
Then work ½-DC in each space around for next 5 rounds (or rows). Switch to F-Hook (used in all sizes) and work SC stitch in every space around BUT you insert the hook DOWN into the second row from edge, instead of the row of spaces you ordinarily would work it in.
Cut yarn, leaving an 8-inch to 10-inch tail. Sew [tail in] to conceal. Shape brim by pulling it tightly, as you fit it to your head. Shape by pulling.
LAST THOUGHTS…
For questions or comments, you can email me at [email protected]. I’m also on Facebook: @TheRecipeDetective.
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