Crochet Crown Research

2005-2006 Crocheted Crown

Every year I try to crochet a new Mardi Gras hat or crown. This year's version started out as my Halloween costume and morphed into Larry's crown.

I saw some felted crowns online. The knitter used a few of Nicky Epstein's books to facilitate her crown creations. I thought, "Why couldn't I use crocheted edgings for a crown?" I got out my Leisure Arts "50 Crocheted Afghan Borders" by Jean Leinhauser and started experimenting. This is a great little book. There are many uses for these borders besides using them on afghans. You can trim a sweater, collar, cuff, purse, placemat, scarf....anything!

I got out a size "F" crochet hook and some Cascade Tweed Wool in yellow. I worked up 3 different pattern samples. I like them all and will probably use them in my next crown. THEN, I thought that I might as well felt them and see what happens. WELL, I've experimented with felting crochet-work before, and because of the nature of crochet stitches (they're thicker and tighter than knitted stitches), crochet just doesn't felt that much....or at all! Turns out my samples shrunk about 1/4" each. I think I'll probably use very thick yarn and a small hook to crochet my crown and NOT felt it.

Back to the crochet lab!