Hello there and welcome to The Crochet Circle Podcast and the show notes for Episode 50 – Woohoo!
 
My name is Fay and this is my audio and video podcast for those that love fibre crafts, particularly crochet.  It’s a community for people that like to support their fellow humans regardless of race, gender, sexuality, ability, size or age. I hope you feel the welcome embrace and love of the Crochet Clan.  Come on in and stay awhile.  
 
In this episode, I cover Old Dog New Tricks; WIP RIP 2019; Final Destination; En Route; Quick News Beats; Big Up and J’adore. 
 
This podcast is sponsored by my online crafting company, Provenance Craft Co. 


Thanks to everyone who tunes into the podcast whether it is through Stitcher, Podbean, Spotify, iTunes or the YouTube Channel. Your support and engagement are really appreciated and makes running a podcast very special and worthwhile.   
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1 – Old Dog New Tricks
Last month, I said I was also going to start sharing your top tips in this section.  This fist Crochet Clan tip comes from two folk – Trina (browneyedgirlGB on Ravelry and  @browneyedgirl on Instagram) and Andrea (woolwoman2k8 on Ravelry,  @woolwomank2k8  on Instagram and  Woollen Yarns Blog).  The tips are all about using stitch markers.  Andrea uses them to mark the right side of her work, making it easier to find where you are in a pattern.  Trina uses them to mark the first stitch of each row. 
 
I really like the bulb safety pins and stitch markers with the lever back arch because they are easy to attach and lock in place. 
Using stitch markers may seem like a bit of a faff, but it can honestly save you hours of work and help you to keep your row and round counts accurate. 
 
I’m working on a blog post which answers your questions on blocking.  You still have time to ask me specific questions on blocking, if you have any.  One of the questions was about how to block hats.  If you are lucky enough to have a bowl that has the same circumference as the recipient, then you can use that.  However, if the bowl is too deep, you run the risk of the hat brim being stretched too widely. 
 
I wanted to create a hat blocker that was bespoke to the circumference of my head, so I made one with papier mache and a balloon.  Here is how to do it:
1 – Measured the circumference of your head.  I measured 58cm across my forehead, over my ears and around the nape of my neck.
2 – Blow up a balloon and deflated it until it has a circumference of 2cm less than your measurement at the widest point and tie it off.    Note that you reduce the circumference by 2cm so that the hat will block slightly smaller than your head and will be a good fit. 
3 – Make a ‘glue’ from ½ cup of flour and 2.5 cups of water, heat on the hob and whisk until it creates a thick paste.  Allow it to cool.  This was enough to create two hat blocking moulds.
4 – Tear a few pages of newspaper into strips.
5 – Using a pastry brush (or similar), spread some of the paste over the balloon and press strips of newspaper over the balloon.  Cover most of the balloon in an initial layer.  Use a mug to stand the balloon on.  Keep on building up paste and newspaper layers over the balloon.  I added three layers of newspaper and three layers of tissue paper.  You will need at least five layers to create a thick enough mould that will retain its shape when the balloon has deflated. 
6 – Leave the mould to dry thoroughly. 
7 – Coat the mould with three layers of clear varnish, allowing it to dry between coats.  This will help to harden the mould and stop create a waterproof barrier between your wet damp hat and the paper. 
 
 
ALT TEXT : Photo 1 - cream background with two blown up balloons covered in newspaper and brown tissue paper. 
Photo 2: a newspaper/tissue covered balloon is sat on a mug on top of newspaper.  A tin of interior clear wood varnish and a brush lie beside the mug.
 
If you make hats for other peopl