Saturday, May 20, 2006

Miss Kendra's Cabaret Chapeau

Miss Kendra's Cabaret Chapeau arose out of this conversation at the WeHo Stitch N' Bitch two meetings ago...

Miss Kendra: Faith, I want to make a hat for my trip to Vegas. How do I go about doing this?

LadyLinoleum: (I pipe up) What kind of hat?

Faith enters the meeting area at the Old Farmers Market and is plunking down her supplies for the evening onto our table. Faith is not only our SNB leader, but she is an accomplished milliner.

Miss Kendra: (motioning with her hands atop her head like she's holding said chapeau at a slight angle) You know, one of those little black cabaret hats with a netted veil.

LadyLinoleum: Oh, like a cigarette girl?

Miss Kendra: Yeah.

LadyLinoleum: (toward Faith) She needs buckram right?

Faith: Yes and you (turning to Miss Kendra) can get it in Downtown (LA).

Miss Kendra: What's buckram?

LadyLinoleum: (laughing) I'll make you the hat.

Miss Kendra: How?

LadyLinoleum: I'll crochet it of course and it won't look crocheted.

Miss Kendra: Is that a bad thing?

LadyLinoleum: No. I mean, you'll notice the hat, not the medium it was made from.

Miss Kendra: Will it stand up if it's crocheted?

LadyLinoleum and Faith: Absolutely.

Miss Kendra: Okay, you have until next Thursday.

Before leaving SNB I requested pictures from Miss Kendra of said dream hat. She sent these to my electronic post box the following day:





That weekend I sat down with size F hook and some shiny, sturdy and black Red Heart Super Saver to accomplish the task set before me. (Size F and worsted weight fiber makes a very strong structure, imho.)

Here's my version of the little black hat:



It's difficult to decipher in the picture, but I put a little wire in the brim for shaping as well as black velvet ribbon to finish it off. I will also state for the record that it took me longer to put the damn netting on this little diddy than it took me to crochet the entire thing!

Miss Kendra looking lovely in her new hat:



Now, the little missy above was adamant about the hat being black and shunned the thought of flowers or other adornment. So, since this one turned out so well I will be making more of them. And they will have color and maybe even a feather or two. Stay tuned.

Have fun in Vegas Missy!

Copyright 2006 Regina Rioux Gonzalez. All rights reserved.

19 comments:

Jessica said...

That's fabulous! I love it. Can't wait to see it all sparkly and fun. :)

Anonymous said...

Oooh, very nice. It's a shame that black is so hard to photograph, but I look forward to seeing the modifications. :)

Pamela Foreman said...

That looks fabulous! You do a great job on everything!

c-mama said...

Great job, as usual!

Ms Knits said...

OOOOOH, I love it! Make's me wish that I looked good in hat's :(

Anonymous said...

Awesome hat!!!

FinnyKnits said...

Holy crap! I can't believe you were able to crochet THAT type of hat. Ok, I can believe it. I mean, you ARE lady lino after all. But still, DAMN! Awesome, awesome job.

StarKnits said...

you are sooo awesome I love that hat! it looks great!

Anonymous said...

Ooh la la! Makes me wish that I could wear hats, also.

Anonymous said...

Awwwsome!!! Awww, I want one!!! Awryagonna make a pattern?Pulleeeeeeeze?!?!?

smg55039 said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
smg55039 said...

Cool hat! Kudos on the netting.

Red Heart worsted weight and an F hook makes the tightest, stiffest, sturdiest fabric I know of. I use it whenever I make stuffed toys.

Heather Cox said...

Gorgeous, Kenra looks awesome in it!

Crafty Andy said...

Very nifty Hat. You are very creative.

portergirl said...

oohhhhhh what fun! :D

Ellen Bloom said...

Kendra one lucky puppy! The hat is faboo! Sorry I missed last week's meeting the official modeling of said hat. Can't wait to see the colorful versions!

Susan Schwake said...

this hat is so much fun! man o man i love it. bologna capes and wild crochet hats. what more can this lady do?!

Pam said...

This is fantastic!!! Great design!!

Anonymous said...

I love this little hat! It's simply fabulous! Are you going to make a pattern......i really really hope you do.

I love all your work!