I was meaning to do this last week, post a more in-depth read of how I’ve been making my spiral Hats… There isn’t really a pattern as such, more a technique or way of working. Then I started umming and ahhing… did I really wanna share my secret? Not that it is really a secret, but y’know what I mean. I kinda feel a little protective of these Hats, as I reckon they’re my best work to date… and would feel absolutely gutted if I found any others floating around on Etsy or wherever. But hey, sharing comes naturally…. I’d feel selfish if I didn’t. Anyhow, a technique is just that; it’s the creative interpretation that counts. And in the famous words of Bananarama & Fun Boy Three….
“It ain’t what you do, it’s the way that you do it”
Right then.
Basically, the whole spiral making bit is easy. Easy peasy lemon squeezy. Use up stash oddments, go for the whole blended look, whatever. Just do keep the yarns you’re using within a similar gauge range ā mine are all made with either a 4, 4.5, or 5mm (US G/6 or US H/8 ; there is no equivalent to the 4.5mm) hook. If you’ve never made a crochet circle before, try looking here for some tips. Basically, instead of joining at the end of each round with a slip stitch, and then starting a fresh round, just keep working continuously. That way, you get the spiral look and it makes things much simpler. What appeals to me about these is that they don’t have to be perfect. I do all mine in DC (US ā sc)ā¦ start with a 4 chain, join, work about 8 or 9 DCs into the centre and go from there. Honest, it’s easy. And it don’t matter if you don’t get the increases even either ā blocking is a great rectifier š
So. You’ve got some spirals made. You’ll need a fair few of them, more than you think. You’ve gotta cover a whole head (or bag, whatever) and believe me, I always end up needing more (there are 32 on the green, 26 on the red). They take anywhere between 5 and 20 mins to make, so ideal for those times when your head just won’t focus on a bigger project. I make mine all different sizes, as I like the eclectic look. The random or eclectic way suits me, as there’s less brain activity involved š
Now, the real trick to getting this to work is how you join them together. I tend to join them with a visible DC seam (US = SC), which ties all the colours in nicely, or you could slip stitch on reverse. What you will need though, is a bit of savvy about making them slot together to get the shape you want. Being as I’m a bit of a woolly Hat aficionado, I’ve got a few polystyrene heads knocking around, which really are the best tool for this job. Otherwise, join a few, try it on, adjust, etc. Or work with something else roundā¦ if you can stick pins in it, even better. Joining the shapes whilst they are on your model/mould will make a huge difference ā there is a tendency to sew or join the pieces flat otherwise, so working on the model will demonstrate much clearer where pieces need to be joined (unless of course the intended wearer has a 2-dimensional head). Do juggle the pieces around to see how they fit before joining ā saves you having to undo and rejoin. If you have a gap and nothing to fit it, just make another spiral.
Now, from this point, it’s up to you really. No real formula, just some tips and tricks to share. Firstly, don’t worry if you have to stretch and tug to get the shapes fitting snuggly – unless you’re going for a really neat look (in which case you would be working much more precisely anyhow) blocking rectifies all glitches… wool has a wonderful memory (jealous? me?). If you do end up with an accidental corner, use that to your advantage by slotting it in where you have a bigger gap.
When I made the first red one, the Hat felt a little lumpy before blocking, and now it’s so smooth and ripple free. This is another reason for keeping the yarns to a similar gauge… if you range from 4ply to chunky, some areas will distort more than others and so it won’t be as smooth after blocking. Also, if you are using one of these head model thingees, it’s safe to make the Hat fit the head…. normally I wouldn’t suggest this, as these models are bald and so a Hat fitting these would be a little on the small size. However, as you will be blocking, the Hat will stretch enough not only to smooth out any unevenness in joining, but also to fit an adult properly. Whilst I’m rambling about blocking, I block mine flat until semi dry, and then pop it onto a larger head model. You could keep it flat until dry if you haven’t got anything the right size laying around.
Sorry, these instructions aren’t in any particular order ā just typing as I think! OK… what else? Oh yeah…. if you go for the mixed up spiral formation, make many more smaller ones than larger ones – you’ll need them to fill in the gaps. Smallest are about 1 inch in diameter, largest go up to 3 or 4 inches. You will have a lot of ends to sew in, too, sorry. Counted 119 for the red Hat. Which is a lot. Don’t forget to do a round of DC all the way around the finished Hat to neaten the edges… also helps tie in the colours, and I use the same yarn that I used for the DC seams. Actually, I’d put aside the best part of 50g of DK or Aran for the joining and the finish trim ā that’s the one bit that eats more yarn than you’d think.
Think my gibberish is over, and everything is here that I can remember for now. Any questions, leave a comment and I’ll do what I can. It’s all about geometry, shapes and form, so play around and see what you get…. I fancy trying triangles next.
Have fun!
(And if I ever see any Hats for sale made a la Wormhead Spiral style, I’ll point my finger and never talk to you again!)
Support
As always, if you have a question about this technique or need some help with it, leave a comment below! Iām afraid Iām unable to offer help via email or private message but youāre welcome to post in our forums.
There now, wasn’t so difficult! š
Thanks ever so much for posting this – will have to do some trawling throught the stash to see what I can come up with …
Now, you say it is easy, but in the hands of an inexperienced hooker….
Generous girl – looking forward to seeing the triangles.
I love these hats! They are so cool. The green one looks very glittrgirlish…..
I like your “its not what you do…” attitude to this. Its why I felt your hats were such art, its the way you’ve used your eye to place them so well.
I think this is a skill, I’ve seen a few versions of the beaded icords I did that just look, well, dull. Not everyone can arrange abstract shapes in interesting ways. I can only do it when things catch my imagination in the right way. Which is why I didn’t go to art college – its too occasional a skill for me. too unrealible for a art&design career!
Very clever hat. My guild (http://www.onlineguildwsd.org.uk/) just finished a free form crochet workshop. I didn’t participate, but your hat inspires me to consider what I missed!
Very neat free-form designs. I love the green one.
These are beautiful!
Great post. And if I ever spot anyone trying to sell anything like ’em, I’ll send the gals round. Awright!
You are a seriously talented lady and your patterns are worth every penny you put on them. See you at WF I hopes.
Great pieces!!
you’ve just fueled my addiction even more, god i love this stuff, i really admire your creativity!
Looks great, specially the greeny one. Some day I’ll learn how to knit, mark my words. I just need to find someone to teach me, I could never wrap my head around those video tutorials in the net…
Hi,
I was inspired by your tutorial to teach myself to crochet and make a hat. Here are the results. I may have gone a little too eclectic on this one, but I’m looking forward to making the next one a bit less crazy.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79141756@N00/207933735/“ REL=”nofollow”>Front
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79141756@N00/207933736/“ REL=”nofollow”>Side
these are so beautiful!
Those are wonderful! I may just have to make one for myself. *grin* I’ve made hats from circles crocheted around plastic rings…. I’ll have to dig up some pictures now because I think I’ll have to do a blog post about it. Great technique and thank you for sharing it with us.
Hi,
Me again – Here is my second go. I’m happier with it than the first try. Sorry the picture quality isn’t much to write home about.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79141756@N00/231746492/
Brilliant work, and thanks so much for sharing your ideas and techniques. No one is going to make hats that look just like yours, but I’ll bet lots of folks make things that you’ll have been personally responsible for inspiring.
Wonderful!
I love these! Do you sell them?
~nat
Hi Nat,
Yep I do sell them – the ones shown here are available in my e-shop
woollywormhead.com
Am also making a few more at the moment which will be blogged and listed!
Oh hey! That looks so amazing, I thought you were doing like a sort of a small side hat, kind of something like a pillboxhat but yeah. So very pretty, I like teh spindlyness of the colours and pattern. I make no sense now but Im basically in zombie mode so yeah, Im planning to learn how to knit though, am on my finals now but come Friday, Im free and plan to use my time effectively. Just need to find places that sell the knitting needles and thread thing in Kuala Lumpur š
I absolutely love this idea. Your hats are incredibly striking, yet quite practical.
Thank you so much for sharing some of your tips/techniques with us!!! I recently tried out your fab hat and it turned out quite nice! I made it for my sister-in-law for a Christmas gift and she was floored by it!!
http://tressa.livejournal.com/884341.html
You’ve really inspired me to grab my hook and use up my odds and ends of yarn!
Cheers!
Hi Woolly Wormhead,
Thanks once again for the wonderful tutorial which inspired me to learn to crochet. I made this one for my friend who has just left the country for 2 years, straight from mid summer here to mid winter there. Hopefully this hat will help her adjust to the cold š (She doesn’t know she’s getting it yet)
http://www.flickr.com/photos/79141756@N00/sets/72157594476716103/“>View Dusky Pink Spiral Hat