Booklet Progress: Project 4 Complete

Next up in our installments on the progress of the new booklet.....

Project 4: Chunky Striped Hat

Pattern Complete, Sample Complete

1. Why did you choose this project for your booklet?
I wanted a couple of quick projects in the booklet to "hook" in the crocheters. There has been tons of research done that if you have around 25% of your book with projects that are quick to stitch then its a more profitable book. Interesting, no? I actually had to flip through some of my favorites to test this theory. And yes, most of the really profitable books have a couple of quick projects mixed in with the longer ones. So in that spirit of quick, I chose a simple hat. I think I crocheted this in one night while glued to the couch.

2. What drew you to this crochet stitch/square?
This stitch pattern is my theme throughout the booklet. I wanted another element to the booklet (besides the yarn) that tied the projects together. This ribbing pattern is really cool. It is not elastic so I guess its more like a textured stitch then a ribbing. Basically you crochet in the back middle bar of a hdc, and you get this popped up ridge on the front of the fabric. Its more pronounced then a blo, but not quite as loud as a post stitch. I fell in love, bc I am mad for striped, but the fabric actually has some drape too.

3. Did any of the project change while you were writing?
Ok so I had a head start on designing this hat. Last year, I made Mark a similar one for the winter. I watched him wear it everyday, and us launder it frequently- so I knew I had a good project. What changed was color. Mark's hat was a solid cap, b/c he's not into stripes like me. But with the yarn company's great color choices, I wanted to "cute" it up and go wild with color.

4. What inspired the color choice?
The basic theme was a rainbow. But I didn't want to completely follow ROYGBP to a tee. So I mixed them up, muted some and brightened others. It reminds me of a Old Navy Sweater I bought a couple of years ago. Nice and bold.

5. What is your goal with this project?
The main goal was to create something super quick. My secondary goal was to create a hat that just by color choice you can make for multiple people. I'm really happy with how it turned out. I have actually been wearing it around the house quite a bit.