Blog Posts

A Good Day for a Cowl

2/28/2019

I have to admit that when I lived in San Antonio, Texas, I just didn't get cowls.

But, here in Providence, where the "feels like" temperature was in the teens today, I finally got it.

I wore this cowl today when I was out, and I didn't mind the cold at all. (I was also wearing two pairs of pants, hand-knit wool socks, sneakers, a long-sleeved T and a puffer coat with a faux-fur-trimmed hood. Toasty!)

The cowl is 21 inches around and 8 inches tall. I knit it in the lovely feather and fan stitch until I ran out of my second ball of YarnArt's Harmony, a self-striping wool-blend yarn.

A Really Big Sale

2/2/2019

This year, I'm turning my Etsy shop --www.hatsbyelvee.etsy.com -- into an all-pattern store.

To accomplish that, I'm holding a 50-percent-off sale on all hats beginning this month.

So, if you lost your favorite hat on the train, or in a snowdrift, come check out my hats, headbands and bandannas.

As my sister would say, "Such a deal . . . ."

What I Love About Tunisian Crochet

1/11/2019

One of the best parts about Tunisian crochet is that there's a chain stitch on every edge.

Thus, it's easy to work neatly into the beginning edge, the top edge and both side edges, making crisp joins on projects such as the entrelac squares beanie, above.

In December, I got some Tunisian hooks and I'm looking forward to experimenting with new stitches in the coming months.

Ascendant Crown

12/1/2018

As mentioned in my Holiday Happenings #1 post, I'm making other designers' patterns as part of the Indie Designer Gift-a-Long on Ravelry.

This fab hat is by Akua Lezli Hope, and it's called Ascendant Crown. Crocheted in self-striping yarns, it's pure joy in hat form.

The pattern is available on Ravelry here.

Holiday Happenings #2

12/1/2018

This is the second of my two craft-related holiday happenings.

This one's in downtown Providence where the Craftland 2018 Holiday Extravaganza is in full swing.

I'm pleased that my handmade hats are part of Craftland's Holiday Extravaganza for the second year. The 2018 event features work by more than 160 artists from Rhode Island, Massachusetts and beyond.

Craftland is a juried, year-round boutique that features local art, handcrafted gifts and one-of-a-kind treasures. The store is open 7 days a week at 212 Westminster St. in Providence and online at craftlandshop.com.

The fab illustration is by Jen Corace.

Holiday Happenings #1

11/23/2018

Head on over to Ravelry.com where the annual Indie Designers Gift-a-Long (GAL) starts at 8 tonight (Eastern Standard Time).

The gift-making fun includes six weeks of chat, contests and prizes -- ending at the stroke of midnight on Dec. 31.

My "GAL bundle" -- above -- includes my best-selling patterns as well as some recently published ones. They'll be on sale for 25 percent off for a week. Here's the link:
https://www.ravelry.com/bundles/indie-designer-gift-a-long-2018. Use the code giftalong2018 at checkout.

This year, I'll be crocheting and knitting several of other's designers patterns. Stay tuned for photos in the next few weeks!

Just Published: Linwood

11/6/2018

Linwood is the latest in my collection of hat patterns with joined-and-turned construction.

I remember the first time I saw a crochet hat pattern that required turning after every round. I thought, "I'm never doing that!" It seemed like too much trouble.

But, now I'm a believer. I love exploring the many possible textures that turned rounds create.

Yarn Mixing in the Summertime

8/17/2018

I've been experimenting with yarn mixes this month.

This hat -- from an upcoming pattern -- uses three strands of worsted weight yarn. I combined Vanna's Choice in Eggplant, Lion Brand Fishermen's Wool in Brown Heather and Plymouth Gina -- a self-striping yarn -- in Color 0001.

At a gauge of 7 sts = 4 in./10 cm, the fabric is thick, warm and bouncy.

New Yarn!

7/14/2018

Yesterday afternoon I received a lovely order from LoveCrochet: six skeins of worsted-weight yarn, shown here.

Shortly after receiving the yarn, I couldn't resist starting a hat with the Malabrigo Rios in Indiecita. It's about 2/3 finished.

I'm stocking up to make the samples for my upcoming pattern releases. Another order -- chunky and super bulky weight yarn -- is scheduled to arrive today, and I'm hoping to have a chance to order some sock-weight yarn this weekend.

Less Holey Transitions

6/26/2018

TIP FOR INTERMEDIATE CROCHETERS: Sometimes when you go from a double-crochet fabric to double-crochet post-stitch ribbing, noticeable holes form at the transition. Most unlovely!

I've found that working a transition round of half double crochet creates a less holey fabric.

It's a refinement that works both before and after the ribbing rounds, as seen in this beanie called Tobey. The pattern is currently being tested, and it will be available later this summer.