1970s flower crochet hat

Here's the pattern for a hat to match this 1970s crochet scarf. It's so simple and pretty. You could even make the flower motif and attach it to an existing hat in your collection or use it to jazz up a shop-bought woolly hat.

You will need: 4 ply yarn for hat and contrast yarn for flower. 3mm and 3.5mm crochet hooks.

Tension: 6 tr = 1 inch in width measured over pattern on 3.5mm hook.

Hat: Using 3.5mm hook and main colour yarn, make 4 ch and join into a ring with a sl st.

1st round: Work 8 dc into ring, sl st to top of first dc to join. Do not turn.
2nd round: 2 ch ( = 1 tr), work 1 tr into first st, work 2 tr into each dc to end, sl st to 2nd of 2 ch.
3rd round: *Work 1 dc into first st, 2 dc into next st; work from * to end, sl st to 2nd of 2 ch.
4th round: 2 ch, work 1 tr into 1st st, *1 tr into each of next 2 dc, 2 tr into next dc; rep from * to last 2 dc, 1 tr into each of last 2 dc, sl st to 2nd of 2 ch. 32 tr.
5th round: Work 1 dc into each of next 2 tr, *work 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 3 sts; rep from * to last 2 sts, 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into last st, sl st to top of first dc. 40 dc.
6th round: 2 ch, work 1 tr into first st, *1 tr into each of the next 4 sts, 2 tr into next st; rep from * to last 4 sts, 1 tr into each st to end. 48 tr.
7th round: Work 1 dc into each of next 2 tr, *work 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 5 sts; rep from * to last 4 sts, 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each st to end. 56 dc.
8th round: 2 ch, work 1 tr into each of next 4 sts, *2 tr into next st, 1 tr into each of next 6 sts; rep from * to last 2 sts, 2 tr into next st, 1 tr into last st. 64 tr.
9th round: Work 1 dc into first st, *2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next sts; rep from * to last 7 sts, 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each st to end. 72 dc.
10th round: 2 ch, work 1 tr into each of next 5 sts, *2 tr into next st, 1 tr into each of next 8 sts; rep from * to lat 3 sts, 2 tr into next st, 1 tr into each of last 2 sts. 80 tr.
11th round: Work 1 dc into each of next 4 sts, *2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 9 sts; rep from * to last 6 sts, 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each st to end. 88 dc.
12th round: 2 ch, work 1 tr into first st, *1 tr into each of next 10 sts, 2 tr into next st; rep from * to last 10 sts, 1 tr into each st to end. 96 tr.
13th round: Work 1 dc into each of next 3 sts. *2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 11 sts; rep from * to last 9 sts, 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each st to end. 104 dc.
14th round: 2 ch, work 1 tr into each of next 2 sts, *2 tr into next st, 1 tr into each of next 12 sts; rep from * to last 10 sts, 2 tr into next st, 1 tr into each st to end. 112 tr.

Work straight in alternate rounds of dc and tr until hat measures 6 inches from last increase ending with a round of dc. Fasten off.

Make a flower centre and 6 petals as detailed in the pattern for the floral scarf.

To finish: Sew centre of flower to centre top of hat. Sew on 6 petals evenly spaced around centre of flower.

Paper doily wedding dress

A paper doily wedding dress from Reveille, 1963. The dress is made from three hundred paper doilies - "It took its pretty wearer, Patricia Ann, forty hours to make it from two pounds' worth of doilies. The cost of a similar dress in lace would have been about forty pounds."

You can get a better idea of how the dress was built up in frothy paper layers from the photo below.


Reveille warns - "Prospective brides: if you are planning to wear a paper gown, do PLEASE pick a fine day for the wedding, otherwise your wonder creation may become a damp embarrassment."

Egg cosies

There aren't enough egg cosies in this world. I'm sure that the decline of the egg cosy is linked in a parallel manner to the decline of people saying "thank you" when you hold a door open for them and giving up their seat on buses without being asked. Let's make more egg cosies and maybe all the politeness will come back into the world as well. It's worth a try.

To knit an egg cosy you will need oddments of DK yarn and two No 8 knitting needles.

Cast on 29 sts.

1st and 2nd rows: K to end.
3rd row: * P1, K3; repeat from * 6 times more; P1.
4th row: P to end.
5th row: same as 3rd row.
6th row: K to end.
7th to 22nd row: Repeat from the beginning of the 3rd row to the end of the 6th row 4 times.

Break off the wool. Thread the end through the 29 sts on the needle and fasten off securely.

The loop: cast on 14 sts. Do not knit any rows but cast the sts off straight away.

To make up: Using a flat seam, join the side seam. Stitch the loop into place at the top of the cosy.

From P and B Wool's Second Stage Simple Knitting from the late 1950s.

Sally Muir on the joy of knitting

Loved this quote from knitwear designer Sally Muir in the latest National Trust magazine:

"Wool is a perfect material, it's organic, renewable, and it embodies those planet-saving good things that we care about. It is the complete antithesis of artificial fleece, which is made from petrochemicals. I very much hope that when our oil supplies dry up, so will the supplies of that work of the devil, the zip-up fleece.

Once great advantage of an evening spent knitting is that you can't easily smoke, play video games, buy things from Amazon or inject drugs at the same time. You can, however, indulge in some bad television, salving your conscience with the thought that you are doing something constructive at the same time."

Taken from the book Simple Pleasures, published by Random House.

1980s new wave doll's clothes

Ooh, last time I looked in the teen department at H&M, these 1980s New Wave disco clothes were bang back in fashion. Stripey jumpers and tube dresses everywhere!

If you'd like to knit some 1980s clothes for your Barbie, here's a treasure trove of disco trash for you to whip up. Doll's clothes are brilliant fun to knit as they take no time at all and can be made out of odds and ends of yarn that need to be used up. The tube dress is a great first project for a young knitter - it's just a small square of garter stitch, no increasing or decreasing.

Tube dress: You'll need DK yarn and No 9 needles.
Tension: 22 sts = 10cm in width measured over garter stitch.
Cast on 20 sts and work 11 cm in garter st (every row knit). Cast off loosely.
To finish: join back seam.

Leggings: You'll need 4 ply yarn and No 11 and No 13 needles.
Tension: 30 sts and 38 rows - 10cm square measured over st st using 3mm needles.
Legs: make 2. Using No 11 needles cast on 13 sts and work 10 rows in st st, starting with a K row. Inc 1 st at each end of next and every following 10th row until there are 21 sts. Work straight until leg measures 12 cms ending with a P row.
Shape crotch: Cast off 2 sts at beg of next 2 rows. Dec 1 st at each end of next row. 15 sts remain. Work straight until piece measures 3cm from start of srotch shaping ending with a P row. Change to No 13 needles.
Next row: K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end.
Next row: P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end.
Rep last to 2 rows once more. Cast off loosely in rib.
To finish, join inside leg and crotch seams.

Top: You'll need 4 ply yarn and No 11 and No 13 needles, velcro or press studs, yarn for embroidering decoration.
Tension: 30 sts and 38 rows - 10cm square measured over st st using 3mm needles.
Front: Using No 13 needles cast on 22 sts and knit 1 row. Change to No 11 needles and work in st st starting with a K row, until work measures 7cm, ending with a P row.
Shape sleeves: Cast on 8 sts at beg of next 2 rows. 38 sts.
* Next row: K
Next row: K2, P to last 2 sts, K2.
Rep the last 2 rows until work measures 10 cms from beg. Cast off.

Left back: Using No 13 needles cast on 12 sts and knit 1 row. Change to No 11 needles.
Next row: K.
Next row: P to last 2 sts, K2.
Rep the last 2 rows until work measures 7cm ending with a K row.
Shape sleeve: cast on 8 sts at beg on next row. 20 sts. Complete as given for front from * to end.

Right back: Using No 13 needles cast on 12 sts and knit 1 row. Change to No 11 needles.
Next row: K
Next row: K2, P to end.
Rep the last 2 rows until work measures 7cm ending with a wrong side row.
Shape sleeve: cast on 8 sts at beg on next row. 20 sts.
Next row: K2, P to last 2 sts, K2. Complete as given for front from * to end.

To finish: Join top sleeve and shoulder sleeves, leaving 3 cms open at centre. Join underarm and side seams. Sew press studs or velcro to back opening. Embroider in French knots, steam stitch and running stitch as illustrated.

Stripey jumper: You'll need DK yarn oddments in 2 colours (A and B), No 9 and No 11 needles and 2 press studs.
Tension: 24 sts and 32 rows = 10 cm square measured over st st using No 9 needles.
Back and front alike: (note: carry colour not in use loosely up side of work). Using No 11 needles and A cast on 17 sts.
1st row: (right side) K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end.
2nd row: P1, *K1, P1; rep from * to end.
Rep the last 2 rows 5 times more. Change to No 9 needles and working in st st, starting with a K row, work 2 rows in B and 4 rows in A. Rep the last 6 rows 3 times more. Using B knit 1 row. Using B cast off loosely knitwise.

Sleeves: using No 11 needles and A cast on 11 sts.
1st row: K1, *P1, K1; rep from * to end.
2nd row: P1, (K into front and back of next st, P1) 4 times, K1, P1. 15 sts.
Change to No 9 needles and working in st st, starting with a K row, work 2 rows in B, 4 rows in A, 2 rows in B, 4 rows in A and 2 rows in B. Cast off loosely.

To finish: catch shoulder seams together at side edge. Sew cast off edge of sleeve to side edge of body placing centre at shoulder seam. Join side and sleeve seams. Sew a press stud to inside of neck edge 3cms froom each armhole.

Sew a 1960s hat

From Reveille newspaper, 1964:

"This is the hat of the year. We saw it in the South of France, the Italian Riviera. In Spain and Portugal, too.

Bikini girls were wearing them in cotton as sun hats or bathing caps. Now girls are wearing them in velvet, or taffeta for parties... This is a wonderful little hat. It suits every face. Already girls who dislike wearing hats are changing their minds. You can see them around. You will be seeing plenty more. So practical if your hair looks untidy. Tuck it under the hat. It hides all those straggly ends."

Would you like to make this quintessentially 1960s hat? You'll need half a yard of 36 inch wide velvet, or material of your choice; half a yard of 36 inche wide net; 5 inches of elastic; five-eighths of a yard of beaded trimming.

Make a paper pattern from the diagram below. Each side of a square = 2 inches. Allow for turnings. Line D - E on diagram marks the grain of material.


On single material and net cut out shape A. Also cut and join a strip to measure 34 inches long and 3 inches side when complete - this will be the hat band.

1. Place net on wrong side of velvet. Make 9 pleats at outer edge, as marked with arrows on diagram.

2. Make a casing at back, between X - Y marked on diagram. Thread through elastic as marked on diagram. Make up headband in double thickness and stitch to pleated edges of hat, leaving 6 inches ends to tie at back.

3. Top trim head band with beaded trimming as pictured. To wear hat simply knot tie ends at back.

1970s crochet flower motif scarf

Here's an autumn crochet project from Woolworths Magazine from the early 1970s. It's a simple fringed crochet scarf which is given a little zip with a super-cute crocheted vintage flower motif. The flower is worked separately, so you could always just make the flower and add it to a scarf, hat or bag of your choice.

To go back to the 1970s, you will need 4 ply wool in main and contrast colours. 3mm and 3.5mm crochet hooks.

Tension: 6 tr = 1 inch in width measured over pattern on 3.5mm hook.

4 ply wool is harder to find these days, so try substituting DK yarn and use a smaller hook.

Using 3.5mm hook and main colour make 51 loose ch.

1st row: Work 1 dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc into each ch to end. 50 dc.
2nd row: 2 ch, work 1 tr into each dc to end.
3rd row: Work 1 dc into each tr to end, working last dc into top of 2 ch at beg of previous row.

Repeat the last 2 rows until scarf measures 80 inches from beginning (or indeed, the length you want - let's go crazy here). Fasten off.

Fringing and edging: Using a 3.5mm hook and main colour, work 1 dc into each dc row and 2 dc into each tr row, work along both long edges of scarf. Using main, cut strands of yarn approx 18 inches in length, fold in half and draw bundle of 3 strands through 1st st at one end of scarf. Draw ends through loop and tighten, forming one tassel. Repeat through every alt st of shorter ends of scarf.

Flower motif: centre of flower: using 3mm hook and main, make 4 ch and join into a ring with a sl st.

1st round: Work 8 dc into ring, sl st to top of 1st dc to join. Do not turn.
2nd round: Work 2 dc into each dc to end, sl st to join.
3rd round: *Work 1 dc into 1st st, 2 dc into next st; rep from * to end, sl st to top of first dc.
4th round: Work 2 dc into first st, *1 dc into each of next 2 dc, 2 dc into next dc; re from * to last 2 dc, 1 dc into each of last 2 dc, sl st to join. 32 dc.
5th round: Work 1 dc into each of next 2 dc, *work 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 3 sts; rep from * to last 4 sts, 1 dc into each st to end, sl st to join. 40 dc.
6th round: Using contrast yarn work 2 dc into first st, *1 dc into each of next 4 sts, 2 dc into next st; rep from * to last 4 sts, 1 dc into each st to end, sl st to join. 48 dc.
7th round: Using contrast work 1 dc into each of next 2 dc, *work 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each of next 5 sts; rep from * to last 4 sts, 2 dc into next st, 1 dc into each st to end. 56 dc. Fasten off.

Make another centre the same.

Petals: Using 3mm hook and contrast make 9 ch.

1st round: Work 1 dc into 2nd ch from hook, 1 dc into each of next 6 ch, 3 dc into next ch, continue along other side of ch working 1 dc into each of 6 ch, the 2 dc into last ch.
2nd round: 1 ch, work 2 dc into first st, 1 dc into each of next 7 dc, 3 dc into next st, work 7 dc, 2 dc into next st, work 1 dc.
3rd round: 1 ch, 2 dc into next st, work 9 dc, 3 dc into next st, work 9 dc, 2 dc into next st, work 1 dc.

Continue increasing 4 sts in this way by working 2 more dc between incs, at the same time working in the following colour sequence: 1 round contrast, 2 rounds main, 2 rounds contrast. Fasten off.

Make a total of 12 petals.

To finish: Sew centre of flower to each end of scarf approximately 4 inches up from fringed edges. Sew on 6 petals evenly spaced around centre of flower.

Mr September

Mr September is sporting a mustard yellow "he/she raglan cable jumper" knitted in Patons Totem.

He has every right to look puzzled. How is his female companion hovering three feet in the air while playing that drum? Has she mastered the art of yogic flying? Or is this the result of some top secret government project involving suppressed anti-gravity technology taken from a crashed UFO?

Mr September does not know. The US government probably does.