I decided to pick up yarn crafts again years after a brief stint with knitting, which yielded one neon pink dishcloth I found sort of ugly. This was expected; it was a dishcloth with whatever fiber I'd been able to find around the house. Crochet seemed to be the move because I lack the proper coordination for multiple needles and knitting had gone so slowly, especially trying patterns left-handed. It's nice to do something with my hands while listening to a podcast or watching a series I said I would finish months ago. Eventually I would like to do projects with cooler yarn (and at least stop purchasing yarn with high synthetic/plastic content now), as initial trials with less pricy materials seem to be going alright.

I am taking pattern notes for personal reference. The yarn softness is on a scale from 1 to 5. 1=absolutely terrible, like walking through a blackberry bush; 2=rough; 3=average; 4=relatively softer; 5=the softest, how cotton candy looks from a distance with no tasting involved.

Pattern: Referenced this pattern initially and then this pattern for slight taper toward top. Half double crochet, in back loops only for ribbed look, along with some single crochet for tapering toward top (same as for first hat but with lighter yarn).

Yarn used: Caron One Pound; Deep violet; Medium (worsted) weight; 100% Acrylic

Yarn softness: 3

Notes: Wanted to make a purple hat for someone.

Pattern: Uppercross beanie.

Yarn used: i'll find this eventually

Yarn softness: 3.5

Notes: First time trying increases and decreases, to make a hat for someone to wear in warmer weather, too. I think I may not have completed the pattern exactly correctly, but it does have decent open stitches.

Pattern: Chunky ribbed beanie. Half double crochet, in back loops only for ribbed look, along with some single crochet for tapering toward top.

Yarn used: Lion Brand Hue + Me; Mustard; Bulky weight; 80% Acrylic, 20% Wool

Yarn softness: 3

Notes: First hat completed! This hat was too warm for me and I got the feeling it would make my head sweat. I carefully considered the head sizes of my friends and their cold tolerance to identify the best possible recipient. Crochet has really opened up new ways of thinking about people.