Thanks so much for your reply!  And don't worry, it probably wasn't confusing for people who know more about crochet and how to read patterns!  I will try doing the 4 scs in one chain (like when you do an increase and you do 2, only here it's 4, right?) 

I have to remember to crochet loosely for this hat, I'm used to doing it quite tightly with my amigurumi so there's no holes/gaps where you can see stuffing, but with a hat I don't think that's an issue

Anyway, I'll try again!

Ok I was trying this hat last night, my first attempt at following a non-Japanese and non-amigurumi crochet pattern and thus trying to remember what all the abbreviations mean etc.

I just have a question about the start, where you go from the little tail to starting to work in the round:

Where is says "In last chain, do 4 sc.", what does that mean?  Do you do a chain of 4 stitches or do you do 4 single crochet stitches in that one last chain?  I can't work out how they'd all fit if the latter was the case.   I took it as making a chain of 4 stitches up, if you get me, and then according to the nest line of the pattern, did 2 another chain and the did 2 single crochet stitches in each of those 4 chains, and did a slip stitch to join it so it forms the first circle of the hat - is that on the right track?

I'm sorry if that's a very basic question, but I have looked at books and websites etc. on working in the round and can't quite make sense of it in terms of this pattern with the 2 sc in the chains, so thanks if anyone can help me!

Hey there everyone,

I really want to make a case for my new hair-straightener!  My other straightener, a Remington Wet 2 Straight came with a great heat-proof case so that you can put it away nicely, and you don't have to wait until it's fully cooled down to do so.

My new straightener is also a Reminton but alas they weren't generous to supply a nifty little case with this one as well

Does anyone know if you can even buy such heat-proof material somewhere so i can try and make a second case?  I love to know if you do!

Thanks ♥

Ok thanks for all your feedback everyone - my first order arrived yesterday!  Four Japanese craftbooks all nicely wrapped & packaged and safe and soun

I can't look at them yet though because they are being put away until Christmas

Thanks for your suggestions!

I had a look at the warehouse today and they certainly had some, a few different kinds in fact, but they weren't the fonts that I wanted - a bit to decorative.  One set was prety good at only $2 but the others (that were wood-backed) were $25.

I went to Lincraft and there I found some that were more like the font/style I was after.  They are "clear stamps", and you have to sort of stick them onto this clear block thing (sold separately) so the idea is you can see exactly where you're about to stamp.

I'm planning on stamping on fabric, and am going to try a bit of my screenprinting paint on a sponge and see if that works

[Niina]

Thanks Niina! 

I think I will put an order in today

Hi there,

I was wondering has anyone seen a set of alphabet stamps around in Melbourne?

I'm talking something like those seen here:

http://kirinote.blogspot.com/2007/08/back.html
(click on the picture to see it bigger)

Thanks if you can help!

I think that fawn pattern was originally offered by the designer free here on Craftster but then they later withdrew it, so I don't think it is available anymore.

[Patterns Sticky]

Have you checked the Patterns Sticky?  There are quite a few dog patterns in there that might be helpful.

[inkberry]

Thanks for letting me know of your experience inkberry!  I don't really mind how long books take to get here  - as long as they arrive safely sooner or later!  Also I'm planning on ordering enough to qualify for the free postage