Serendipity in Crocheting

I am fairly new to crocheting hats, though I now have made 4 for my grandson. I decided to experiment with making a pattern that I could use as the basis for a variety of hats for adults. I chose this pattern from a blog. http://www.anastasiapopova.com/2010/03/crochet-mens-hat-pattern/ I didn't think it would turn out soft and flexible enough for my taste because the pattern called for two strands of worsted weight yarn crochet with a size H/8 or 5 mm hook. I was right. It felt too stiff. Not wanting to waste the energy I had put into the project, I turned it into a bag. I tried a new method for making the drawstrings that I learned about from my Master Teacher. I think it turned out quite nicely. The strings are made by making a chain and then slip stitching in the back "bump" of the chain.

Yarn Take Over

Yarn is taking over my life. I have more projects than time. With Christmas fast approaching, my mind is in a knitting/crocheting ADD whirl.
This week, while crocheting at Panera, a lady came up and started talking to me. She told me about this houndstooth scarf that she had made. Thanks to technology, I saw a photo of it and I just had to make it. This is in spite of having  a hat to finish, and one to make, plus a nativity set that I would like to make before Christmas. So I picked up the yarn I needed and got it started last night. It is a really cool effect and not difficult to make at all. 
http://elkstudiohandcraftedcrochetdesigns.com/2013/01/23/excited-about-crochet-patterns/


Here is my start.

This reminds me of tapestry crochet that I learned about from Carol Ventura in an online video, in that you carry the yarn along under the work. Here is a video showing some of her work. To me it is fascinating to see how many different things can be done with a crochet hook
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fIJe5uQ6tg