Seven Quick Takes Friday

1.  So, it's been a while since I've posted.  Since my last post, I've driven the girls to Albany and back to serve as slave labor paint my parents' bedroom and visit family, made two Halloween costumes, and....

Okay, so that's about it for big things, but I somehow tumbled into a veritable abyss of busywork that's kept me occupied most of the time. 

2.  Things I have not yet managed to do: weed the gardens, rake/compost/bag the leaves, vacuum out the cars, mow the lawn, sweep the deck, ready the potted plants for winter, make rice crispy treats with WNG, clean out the girls' closet, clean out my closet, clean out any other overcrowded closets, undungeonify the basement, locate-purchase-paint-set-up a bookshelf for the girls' room, brown-betty some apples, carve at least one pumpkin, make my bibliofairy costume, and nine kazillion-florillion other tasks that must—MUST!—be done before the winter.

3.  Wee Ninja Girl's secondary Halloween costume: 

The shell is made from two 22"x11" red felt half circles with fishing-line-spool-diameter black felt spots hot glued on, then sewn with a zigzag stitch to a black "youth cut" t-shirt. 

The wings are made from a single piece of black netting cut in the approximate shape of ladybug wings, knotted in the center, and sewn onto the t-shirt just under the spot where the half-circles meet.  Those were sewn through the red felt with more zigzag stitching.  The wings are tied onto WNG's wrists with black yarn threaded through two 1/4" grommets on each wing.

The headband is a cheapo plastic thingy with black pipecleaners wrapped around it and fed through two holes punched in a strip of black felt that was hot-glued to the plastic.  The giant pompoms (chosen by WNG and way too heavy for the double pipecleaners) are hot-glued onto the pipecleaners.  Easy-peasy, minimal sewing, and one very happy ladybug!

4.  I should clarify: WNG has two Halloween costumes because last year I made her a satin and brocade princess dress (hot pink, her choice!) and while it still fits her this year, she was supposed to dress up for preschool today and I didn't think satin/brocade + preschool was a stellar idea, so I whipped up the ladybug for her to wear to school. 

5.  Little things that make me happy:

 This rather plain butcherblock microwave cart has CHANGED MY LIFE.  My awesome-in-laws don't need it in their new kitchen, so they offered it to us, and even though my kitchen is puny, it fits in the breakfast nook and gives me 50% more food storage.  Yes, folks, 50% more!  No exaggeration, I promise!  My kitchen has a grand total of six cabinets, including the under-sink cleaning-chemical wasteland.  I used two for food, and now I have three!  I was also able to move the wine rack off the refrigerator and make it much more accessible, because, well, do I even have to justify it?

These little salt and pepper shakers belonged to my dad's father's mother, and may have even belonged to her mother.  I don't keep salt or pepper in them, but I keep them out because there's something so sweet and cute about them without being too kitschy. 

WNG cut these leaves out of construction paper a few weeks ago (I drew the shapes and hoped for the best!) and she did a great job for her first ever try with scissors.  They kind of blow out the door every time we open it and three of them ripped off today, but I think they are festive and beautiful and she is so proud of them!

6.  So much for the "quick" part of this...

7.  Happiness is...

Thank you to Conversion Diary for hosting!

Seven Quick Takes Friday!

1.  So... that running thing... that Couch-to-5k endeavor that was going to make me like—nay, LOVE—jogging and open new worlds of competitive exercise... that little thing...

Yeah, so it turns out that I really don't like running.  At all.  I've made it to Week 4 and it hasn't grown on me one barnacle.  It makes my hips and knees hurt, aggravates my asthma, and it's too darn cold to be outside in the mornings. 

PLUS, I can't seem to find good earbuds that cost less than $10.  The ones I swiped from EP Dude's iPod every morning (well, they are actually mine but his wore out and he uses them every day at work so he swiped them first) don't stay in while I stagger jog.  I got some new-style ones that are apparently supposed to connect directly to your brain, but they hurt like the dickens.  I even tried some over-the-ear ones, completely forgetting that I WEAR GLASSES, and they also hurt like the dickens.

Therefore, I think I quit and will look for some other, indoor, non-earbud-requiring exercise videos I can get on Netflix.  I may even use the Wii fit for more than the fun games, but not until it stops groaning every time I step on.

2.  I still have not made apple brown betty with those Galas, but maybe I will tomorrow.  I'll have to use them soon, I think.  EP Dude would prefer apple crisp, but I'm not a big fan of the oaty texture of those.  I'd rather have the buttery, brown-sugary, cinnamony crumble topping of a brown betty.

And now I'm hungry again.

3.  Which I shouldn't be, because JUST LOOK at what I had for dinner:

That's right, baby.  Homemade chili, made-from-scratch cornbread, and a Saranac Oktoberfest Ale.  Perfect for a cold, windy, occasionally rainy Friday!

4.  Thankfully, the Oktoberfest Ale wasn't pumpkin flavored at all.  Am I the only human in the United States who doesn't like pumpkin?  I don't even like pumpkin pie, let alone pumpkin-flavored anything.

It kind of makes me think of the people who like to deep fry everything at the state & county fairs.  I mean, oreos?  Kool-aid?  Really?  I'm sure there will be pumpkin oreos and Kool-aid before we know it.

Pumpkin ALL THE THINGS!

No thanks.

5.  Yesterday kicked off the Year of Faith, marking the 50th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council and the 20th anniversary of the Catechism.  I've bought the companion book for my Nook, but I'm still working through the intros.  I also will be getting a portion of the Catechism emailed to me daily so I can read the whole thing in one year.  (And... I'm already two days behind in that too, so...)  It will be good for me to focus on this, though, and try to clear out some extra space in my day for the Lord and His Church, because who doesn't need that?

6.  Wait, I'm only on 6?  Sigh.  Um... Oh, I know!  Happy I Love Yarn Day!  I'm sure there are all sorts of witty sayings typed onto pretty pictures of yarn that I could find and post, but I think I'll keep it simple here. 

I do like some good, natural fiber yarn, though.  Since we bought our new-to-us van, I am on a yarn buying freeze until I use up my stash.  I think I'd like to make myself a new winter hat, maybe a knitted slouch style from some KnitPicks Wool of the Andes (bulky) that I bought last year.  And maybe I'll finish up all the other projects I started, like my sister's fingerless gloves or my brother's scarf.

I will, you guys, I promise!

7.  Whew!  Here's some more awesome recorder music, although it's not me this time.  Please enjoy the Loeki Stardust Quartet:

 

Thanks to Conversion Diary for hosting!

Falling for Fall (SO original, I know!)

I really love autumn.  The leaves, the crisp air, the earthy colors, the soups and stews, the baked desserts, the dying of the bugs, all of it! 

I love that I can boil water for tea without overheating the house.

I love how my kitchen table looks with this neat runner my mom found at a thrift store and a bean pot EP Dude bought at a church-sponsored world goods sale years ago:


So warm and cozy!

  I love that it's apple season and I can get yummy local apples everywhere.  These Galas are just BEGGING to be baked into a brown betty or applesauce, don't you think?


Yummy local apples!

 I love that I actually managed to complete a fall craft project BEFORE Advent for once!  This banner is made of felt and embroidery thread.  I made 2.5" x 7" diamonds (measured from corner to corner) from four colors of felt.  I got three diamonds out of each felt sheet with plenty to spare.  I split the embroidery thread into 3-strand bunches and free-handed the letters.  It says "harvest time" on the front, and "give  thanks" on the back, so I can leave it up through Thanksgiving.  When all the triangles were lettered and whip stitched (really badly) together, I threaded some brown yarn through them all and looped the ends over stick-on hooks.


Some festive bunting!

  I've been noticing a trend in hand-crafted bunting decorations lately, and thought it would be something simple to add some seasonal flavor to my otherwise undecorated abode.  I may have to figure out something similar for Advent and/or Christmas, although it's WAY too early to think about that, right?  Right?

Close-up!

 Today was a typical Rochester, NY, autumn day, which means it looked promising at one point, but rapidly turned gray, windy, and rainy.  So, I covered the dining room table with newspapers and set WNG up with her watercolors.  In between being called in to check on her progress ("Mom! Mom!  Come see!  I added a dot of purple here!  Mom!  Mom!  Look!  It's a yellow line!"), Sillypants and I read all the books she picked out—mainly the weird, poorly written ones I always try to discourage/hide/throw away—and had a lot of fun.

I do try to spend as much one-on-one time with Sillypants, although she seems just as independent as her big sister thus far.  It's nice when I can do so while WNG is still home (as opposed to being in school) so she can see that Sillypants deserves my attention just as much as she does.

At any rate, WNG happily watercolored and Sillypants happily sat with me reading until maybe the eighty-seventh request for me to see the latest painted blob.  When I went into the dining room, I noticed that WNG had some blue paint on her lips. Thinking she wiped her mouth with a painty hand, I told her to keep her yucky hands away from her face. 

"Oh, okay," she replied, exposing her blue teeth.

Remaining unflappably calm (HA!) I gently requested that she open her mouth, further exposing her very blue tongue.

Me: "WHAT DID YOU DO, LICK THE PAINTBRUSH?!"

Her: "ONLY FIVE TIMES!  No, less, four times.  Or maybe seven?"

Me: "AJEROWINJKJLNJRHTOIWJAKLGNJSFNGKLJFJ!"

Sillypants: *grabs one of the paper cups filled with brown paint-water and drops it on the floor*

Me: *sob*

So, here are the four pictures she painted.  They are, clockwise from upper left:

1.  A tree and a mountain and a square for EP Dude's brother and sister-in-law, whom we will see this weekend.  (WNG asked me very particularly if they like SQUARES because she painted one under the mountain.)
2.  A rainbow for me.
3.  A sun, a cloud, a blue horse with red stripes, her red handbrint, some grass, and a tree trunk.
4.  The view out a window.  It's the window of someone we don't know, though, and that blue swoopy caterpillar shape is the windowsill.

Well, EP Dude is home, naptime is over, and it's time to realize that I have no idea what to do for dinner, even though as the at-home parent in this equation, it's kind of my job to have these things figured out.

Maybe we have enough leftovers for everyone...

Sunday Fun

So, my folks came by for a visit this weekend, and we tried to cram in as much fun as possible.  After Mass and a nice breakfast out with my Awesome-in-laws, we came home intending to swap church clothes for jeans and sweatshirts and cruise out to the town park for a nice hike.

Me:  We can be all changed and ready in FIFTEEN MINUTES, you guys!  SRSLY!
Universe:  Bwahahahaha!

After about 13 minutes, we were nearly ready to jump in the van when Wee Ninja Girl skipped upstairs to do something very important in her room.  I was on my way down when I saw her emerge, her eyes in that saucer-wide "something-ain't-right-but-I-don't-know-if-it's-bad-enough-for-tears" expression.  It turns out that a nearly dead wasp somehow landed on her foot and stung her middle toe through her socks.  It also turns out that it was bad enough for tears PLUS shrieks PLUS ice PLUS cuddles from Sillypants, who was more than happy to oblige.

Anyhoo, 45 minutes after we got home from breakfast (well played, Universe), we were in the van and on our way.  It turned out to be a gorgeous day for an autumn stroll!

The leaves are on their way to peaking, the air was crisp and clear, and it wasn't raining yet, so we had a blast.



Sillypants on the loose!



WNG leading the way into the woods



 We hiked the entire loop at our park, which is just over a mile.  Even Sillypants did the whole thing, AND we played at the playground for a bit.

I really love our park; it's not very big, but there are a couple nice trails in the woods and by a pond.  We saw some deer, lots of chipmunks, and a squirrel or two.  There weren't a lot of people on the loop, so I could let Sillypants walk/run/pick at the gravel all she wanted without being in anyone's way.



Meet Harvey



We managed to come home with a pet, too, hoping he (she?  How does one tell with caterpillars?) lasts through the winter and we get to see him (her) develop into a moth.  My mother named him (okay, FINE, we're just pretending it's a boy) Harvey and he's living on the deck in a popcorn jar.  WNG is very excited to feed him two blades of grass every day.  It will be good practice if we ever upgrade to something more substantial, like a ladybug.

I keep forgetting that tomorrow is a holiday and EP Dude will be home.  I hope to get out for a walk/jog in the early morning (repeating week 4 of the couch to 5k, sigh) and then it's the usual laundry/dust/vacuum schedule.  Maybe we'll plant the tulip bulbs and dig out the garden to prep it for frost.

Ah, my glamorous life.

In other news, St. Hildegard of Bingen and St. John of Avila were declared Doctors of the Church today!  They join 33 other saints who have been granted this special distinction.  How exciting! 

Seven Quick Takes Friday!

1. I've always loved reading these from other people and thought I'd try to start.  It's a good way for me to remember to acually write something rather than convince myself that whatever I was going to write was pointless and aimless.
2. Since Wee Ninja Girl has never gone to daycare or preschool (until now, once a week), I asked her preschool playgroup head teacher how WNG is interacting with the other kids.  Thankfully, Mrs. B. says that WNG is very social and friendly, participates vocally, and is helpful to any struggling kids.  Whew!  Must be doing something right!
3. On the other hand, Sillypants thinks it's HILARIOUS to wander around wearing a dishtowel on her head in various drapes and angles.  Sometimes she looks like a nun.  Sometimes she looks like a boxer. 
4. 

   

   One of my favorite shots of WNG at Lake Erie this June.

   
5. I stopped biting my nails. (Yay, me!)  I was hoping to set an example for WNG, who has picked up the habit (Boo, me!), but she still peels her nails (yes, finger and toe) anytime she thinks there is a "hangnail."  Which is always.  But, I have been trying to paint my nails to keep them strong and feel a little more girly.  Although the color I'm wearing today is called "Gunmetal," so...
6.  What's that?  What about the crafts?  Well, I did finish a cute Autumn decoration, but I have yet to take pictures of it.  It looks really nice when the sun is shining, even though it's indoors, and it's been gloomy and rainy all week.  I promise to post it as soon as I get a good shot!
7.  And now, some flauting!  This is a duet with two Alto recorders, played by yours truly and my sister The Queen of Musicke: "Affettuoso" by Telemann.  See?  That wasn't so bad!

Ciao!

New Blog, New Stuff, Same Me (Sorry)

So.  Hey.  What's shaking? 

Life got a little crazy there for a bit, but I've decided to come back to the blogosphere with a fresh new page and some fresh new patterns.  (Well, after I repost all the stale, old ones, I guess.)


Wee Ninja Girl is now a big sister to her little sister, known as Sillypants.  I swear, I've never known a one-year-old child with such a sense of humor!  She is an absolute joy to us, despite not sleeping through the night for the first 8 months of her life.



Sillypants on her birthday!



Wee Ninja Girl is four now, and attending preschool one day per week, which she LOVES.  She's so social and friendly.  I have no idea where she gets THAT from, since heaven knows I'd rather curl up in a cozy chair and read or craft all day long!



WNG and a chick at the State Fair



EP Dude is chill as always, and keeping us all healthy and happy.

I've been trying to shed some baby weight* by doing Jillian Michaels' 30-Day Shred (completed in September, thankyouverymuch) and now Couch to 5K.  I'm on week 4 and it's really hard for a flabby asthmatic like myself, but I am determined to make it to the end, and then maybe run a race.

NEW THINGS!  Since I love music and flauting, I am going to try to add some musical elements to the blog, specifically recorder music.  I know, I know, you are already experiencing ear-piercing, teeth-rattling flashbacks to fourth grade music class, but don't run away!  It's really a great instrument and not too difficult to play!  I promise not to inflict auditory harm when posting videos of recorders played well!

I hope to be able to post a lot more crafty patterns and such, which will be linked to my twitter feed (@CraftWriteFlaut) and cross-posted on both, if I ever figure out how.

That's all for tonight, folks!  It's way past my bedtime!

*By "baby weight" I mean my own that I've been carrying around since I was a baby.

(Distant) Memories of Summer Wrap

With winter inching closer every day (I hear it is snowing in the northern Midwest already!), who wouldn't want to snuggle up in a lovely Homespun ripple-stitch wrap? As a bonus, it's made in two shades of blue reminiscent of Caribbean ocean waters. So, while the blizzards rage outside (or, if you live in an old, drafty house like I do and even crisp fall temperatures cause your fingers to turn blue and you're a big, whiny wimp like
I amsomeone I know) you will get lots of use from something like this.

I won't, though, because I made it for K, my sister-in-law, whose birthday was last week.

As an added bonus, it works up pretty quickly and you can huddle under it while you crochet.

Yarn: 3 skeins Lion Brand Homespun yarn.
I used 1 skein of "Colonial" and 2 skeins "Blue Sky,"
but really any bulky weight homespun-type yarn would work.

Hook: US size P/12

Stitches: chain (ch), no-turn-chain double crochet (ntcdc), double crochet (dc)

For an explanation of the ntcdc, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LxYpo-tyi8

The NTCDC counts as the first stitch of each row. If that stitch isn't working out for you, replace with "ch 3" throughout the pattern.

Foundation row: Chain 62, turn. NTCDC, dc in ch. Dc in next ch. *skip 2 chs, 3 dc in next 3 chs. Ch 2, 3 dc in next 3 chs.* Repeat from * to * 6 more times. Skip 2 chs, dc in next ch. 2 dc in last ch. Turn. (62 sts)

Rows 1 thru 75: NTCDC, dc in dc, dc in next dc. *skip 2 dc, 3 dc in next 3 dc. Ch 2, 3 dc in next 3 dc.* Repeat from * to * 6 more times. Sk 2 dc, DC in next dc. 2 dc in last dc. Turn (62 sts)

I crocheted three blocks of color (Blue Sky, Colonial, Blue Sky) in 25 rows each because I'm kind of lazy, but any striping pattern would work.

Enjoy and keep warm!

Switcharoo Skelt

The Switcharoo Skelt (Scarf/Belt) (Yes, I know it should TECHNICALLY be spelled "Scelt" but I like the way the "k" looks and it's my pattern and I can name it whatever I want. So, ner.) can be worn as a scarf, a belt, or a headband. I made it for my niece, the Energizer Bunny, who turned eight years old in August.

One of these days I will send them their gifts on time! Honest!

Yarn: 1 skein Serenity Sock Yarn (Premier Yarns; 50% Superwash Merino Wool, 25% Bamboo, 25% Nylon; 230 yards), or superfine yarn of your choice.

Hook: US size C/2

Stitches: chain (ch), no-turn-chain double crochet (ntcdc), double crochet (dc)

For an explaination of the ntcdc, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LxYpo-tyi8

The NTCDC counts as the first stitch of each row. If that stitch isn't working out for you, replace with "ch 3" throughout the pattern.

Foundation: Chain 22.

Row 1: NTCDC, dc in last ch. Dc in next ch. *Skip 2 ch, 3 dc in next 3 ch. Ch 2. 3 dc in next 3 ch.* Repeat from * to * once. Skip 2 ch, dc in next ch. 2 dc in last ch. Turn. [22 sts]

Rows 2 thru desired length: NTCDC, dc in first dc. Dc in next dc. *Skip 2 dc, 3 dc in next 3 dc. Ch 2. 3 dc in next 3 dc.* Repeat from * to * once. Skip 2 dc, dc in next dc. 2 dc in ntcdc. Turn. [22 sts]

This works up quickly despite the super fine-ness of the yarn.

Midsummer Twilight Hat

I've got a pattern posted on CrochetMe for a lovely (if I do say so myself) cotton hat.

Yes, I know I'm using a lot of cotton lately... It's the only yarn I can reach in the disaster that is my craft room at present. It became the storage room and all my yarn is at the back. Someday I will clean it all out, make a fortune on craigslist, and buy lots of fancy new yarn.

Someday.

Summery Knit Wrap

Yarn:

• 2 balls Patons Lacette in "Hint of Rose" (235yds, 39% Nylon/36% Acrylic/25% Mohair) or any fine yarn (size 2).


• 2 balls Patons Allure in "Ruby" (47yds, 100% Nylon) or any bulky yarn (size 5).

Needles: Size 11
Cast on stitches according to how wide you'd like the wrap to be. To involve less thinking, use a number that can be divided by 3 but not 6. For example, the wrap I made is 57 stitches wide. This way, every row starts with k3.
Ready? Take a deep breath, this can be tricky...
Row 1: k3, p3 across.
Rows 2-??: Repeat row 1.
Basically, you knit the last row's knit stitches and purl the purls. This gives the wrap a nice wavy texture without being complicated. Just pop on Pride and Prejudice (the Colin Firth version of course!) and go to town. Even if you miscount here and there (not that I would EVER do that!), it's hard to notice. This is a very forgiving project!
Change yarns wherever you'd like a stripe. I recommend a minimum of 4 rows with the bulky yarn at a time. I also made the stripes an even number of rows and didn't tie off the main color; I just knitted the main color with the bulky for just the first stitch of each row on that side. Since the Allure is all fuzzy, it hid it perfectly.
That's pretty much it. My wrap ended up being about 5 1/2 feet long. I made it for my younger sister and wanted it to reach from fingertip to fingertip without much stretching.
Enjoy!

Sparkly Disc Coasters

Here's a pattern for some coasters. I worked it out through much trial and error, so you won't have to. That's how nice I am.

Sparkly Disc Coaster Pattern

Yarn: 1 ball worsted-weight cotton for each color.

I used Bernat cotton for the green and Sugar 'n' Cream for the purple

Hook: US size H/8, 5.00mm

Other: Obsolete CDs or DVDs.

I crocheted this pretty tightly to avoid floppy fabric around the disc.

Stitches: chain (ch), slip stitch (slst), no-turn-chain double crochet (ntcdc), double crochet (dc)

For an explaination of the ntcdc, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LxYpo-tyi8

The NTCDC counts as the first stitch of each row. If that stitch isn't working out for you, replace with "ch 3" throughout the pattern.

BACK OF COASTER

Row 1: Chain 1. Create one ntcdc (counts as first dc). 8 dc in first chain. Slst to ntcdc. [9 sts]

Row 2: Ntcdc. Dc in same stitch. 2 dc in each dc around. Slst to ntcdc. [18 sts]

Row 3: Ntcdc. 2 Dc in next dc. *Dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [27 sts]

Row 4: Ntcdc. Dc in next dc, 2 dc in next dc. *Dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [36 sts]

Row 5: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, 3 dc in next dc. *Dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in next dc.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc, tie off. [45 sts]

FRONT OF COASTER

Row 1: Chain 1. Create one ntcdc (counts as first dc). 8 dc in first chain. Slst to ntcdc. [9 sts]

Row 2: Ntcdc, ch 1. *Dc in next dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [18 sts]

Row 3: Ntcdc. 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [27 sts]

Row 4: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 1. *Dc in next 3 dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [36 sts]

Row 5: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. Do NOT tie off. [45 sts]

JOINING

Match the wrong sides together at the last slst to ntcdc. (I like to do this so there is only one clumsy spot where joining over the slst.)

Slst in both loops of each dc for each side. This creates the nice, rope-like edge. Once 30 or so slst are complete, insert CD/DVD, making sure the silver side shows through the front side. Continue slst until joined around, tie off. Weave ends under the back of the coaster.

These are quick and easy—my kind of project!

Mountain Girl Hat

Tada! I TOLD you I'd post it, eventually. Luckily, it's a great hat for Autumn, so there is still time!

Yarn: 1 ball Aunt Lydia's Denim Cotton, or worsted cotton of your choice.

Hook: US size H/8, 5.00mm

Stitches: chain (ch), slip stitch (slst), no-turn-chain double crochet (ntcdc), double crochet (dc)

For an explaination of the ntcdc, click here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3LxYpo-tyi8

The NTCDC counts as the first stitch of each row. If that stitch isn't working out for you, replace with "ch 3" throughout the pattern.

Row 1: Chain 1. Create one ntcdc (counts as first dc). 8 dc in first chain. Slst to ntcdc. [9 sts]
Row 2: Ntcdc, ch 1. *Dc in next dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [18 sts]
Row 3: Ntcdc. 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [27 sts]
Row 4: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 1. *Dc in next 3 dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [36 sts]
Row 5: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next 3 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [45 sts]
Row 6: Ntcdc. Dc in next 4 dc, ch 1. *Dc in next 5 dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [54 sts]
Row 7: Ntcdc. Dc in next 4 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next 5 dc, 2 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [63 sts]
Row 8: Ntcdc. Dc in next 6 dc, ch 1. *Dc in next 7 dc, ch 1.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 9: Ntcdc. Dc in next 6 dc, 1 dc in ch 1 sp. *Dc in next 7 dc, 1 dc in ch 1 sp.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 10: Ntcdc. Dc in each dc around. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 11: Ntcdc. Dc in next 2 dc, ch 1. Skip next dc. *Dc in next 3 dc, ch 1. Skip next dc.* Repeat from * to * 7 more times. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 12: Ntcdc. Dc in each dc and ch 1 sp around. Slst to ntcdc. [72 sts]
Row 13: Repeat row 11. [72 sts]
Row 14: Repeat row 12. [72 sts]
Row 15: Ntcdc. 2 Dc in same sp. Skip next dc. Sc in next dc. Skip next dc. *5 dc in next dc. Skip next dc. Sc in next dc. Skip next dc.* Repeat from * to * 16 more times. 2 dc in same st as ntcdc, slst to ntcdc. [108 sts]
Row 16: Ch 1, sc in ntcdc from last row. Skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc. *Skip 2 dc, sc in next dc. Skip 2 dc, 5 dc in next sc.* Repeat from * to * 16 more times. Slst to first sc. [108 sts]
Row 17: Ntcdc. 2 dc in same sp. Skip 2 dc, sc in next dc. Skip 2 dc. *5 dc in next sc. Skip 2 dc. Sc in next dc. Skip next 2 dc.* Repeat from * to * 16 more times. 2 dc in same sc as ntcdc, slst to ntcdc. [108 sts]
Row 18: Repeat row 16. [108 sts]
Row 19: Repeat row 17. [108 sts]
Row 20: Repeat row 16. Tie off. [108 sts]

If this pattern seems familiar at first, it's because the crown follows the same pattern as my Sparkly Disc Coasters posted a little while ago. I was watching Wee Ninja Girl put the coasters on her head and thought the pattern might make a cute hat. The tip of the hat tends to poke up like a little point, giving a slightly elvish look. The brim can be folded or rolled up or kept down.

If you feel ambitious, crochet some different colored flowers to pin on the side. I made a handful of those, but haven't pinned them on, since I like the simplicity of the hat alone.