Menokreatikkul; Topping Off

You'll recall there was a wee bag of bright colours in a mystery yarn shown last week? I hinted at more wrist warmers. But then I got a bit crazy(er). I practically live in a beanie most of the year. I have always felt the cold on my crown, even in my younger years. Having inherited the balding gene, my once thick and resplendent barnet has whittled down to some rather thready and now very easily tangled strands masquerading as hair. It is as brittle as all get out, and with each combing, there would be enough left on the teeth to weave into a skein. It would never stay in place for longer than an hour and, even with a beanie, looked wild and woolly (witness the first photographs below). I have been considering shaving it all off for a couple of years now. But having lived with long hair virtually my entire life, that's quite a thought.

Then, last Sunday, I was having a fit of frustration with it. Out came the scissors, and twenty inches became two. I may yet resort to the shave, but for now, it's just very short and easily hidden under any one of my beanies.

Which brings me to this week's crochet presentation. Starting with the multicoloured variety. I think I initially had a simple headband in mind... but realised I had sufficient in it - almost - to make a full beanie.

The 'almost' was filled with another colour from my stash (the plum). Working seven colours takes a bit of negotiating, but it was fun, and I was quite chuffed with my made-up pattern. So much so that I decided I wanted to work on the theme and see if I could develop a more continuous method for completing a beanie. The plum used for the 'almost' part of the first one formed the basis of the second attempt. White was the secondary, and some accent scraps to keep it interesting. This time I deliberately enlarged the headband part and worked from the border of that in reducing rounds for the crown... This created a pleasing ruche effect, and with a little more practice, I can probably perfect this technique of beanie-making. I may adapt one to become a tea cosy, too...