Liette - Whip Up

For info on Whip Up and this competition click here!:




As a costume person, I love to dress up. And ever since I was a little girl, I would watch movies - "period films" - strictly to check out the clothes. That hasn't changed and I even worked making costumes for a few years here in the Bay Area and in L.A. I can appreciate most fashion throughout European history and the 18th C. is no exception.
Upon reading about Whip Up's September Hat Competition 3 days before the deadline, I figured, "I crochet. I make hats. I can probably make something in time, but if not, that's ok too." A wig from the 18th C. came to mind. I don't know if it's because of the upcoming Sophie Coppola film, the fleur-de-lis trend or what, but a ridiculous hairdo from the 1700's seemed like a good candidate for a fuzzy crocheted hat! I decided to enter the design portion of this month's competition.



I don't have a headform so I used myself as a model. {Sorry, I don't wear make-up. ;)} I based the design on various paintings of Marie Antoinette and other well-to-do ladies though I tried to keep things pretty simple due to time constraints and my desire to only use yarn and crochet.

The hairstyles of this time period are probably some of the most notorious in fashion: the flowers, birds, ships -- yes, ships -- that would sit upon a tower of hair, supplemented with horsehair, wire cages and who knows what else. (Well, I'm sure someone does.)


Hahaha! Here's the backview:



Luckily I had several balls of natural mohair lying around. (Um, yea.) I made a cap first, then panels for the sides, the curls and sewed it up with a little stuffing at the top. Added some leaves and flowers - voila! The great thing about this hat is that it keeps me super toasty - see, I'm wearing a tank top but I'm not freezing in the San Francisco twilight. And if I decide to wear this out (or in) on Halloween, then I can use it as a pillow if I get sleepy.

Ok, time to make matching crochet panniers and corset. :)