This is for my daughter.

I couldn't find any of her summer hats and it's starting to be hot out there.... So I made this hat modifying the pattern of a doily.

It's quite easy:

• you start the doily as explained in the pattern,
• then, when you reach the width you need to engulf the head, you just repeat one or two rows according to the shape you want to obtain (1 row to make a tube, 1 row - let's say row 5 - twice, then the following one - row 6 - for a bowl),
• and then you just finish the doily as the pattern says to obtain the brim.

I tried blocking-stiffening with sugared water, it didn't work (obviously). I'm going to wash it and try again with plain starch, it should work then.
I'll use one of those methods:

• StarGazer's
• Crochet Memories'
• Almanach de la servante chrétienne (an ancient guide about cloth care for XIXth century house maids )

Follow up:

Yarn : 100% cotton (made in Brasil) from Pernelle (a French brand), "tropique", 140 yards for 1oz 3/4, color : fushia. I used 1 ball and a half.

Crochet hook : recommanded : 4.5mm (US: 6), used : 3.

Time : less than 4 hours I think, I needed to think the new design out, next time it will be quicker.

This is to mark as ONE COOL THING TO DO WITH A DOILY PATTERN.

I'll try to post about other things to do soon!

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Update, May 24th

It worked!

• half a cup of corn starch,
• half a cup of cold water,
• half a cup of hot water,

worked through the fiber and pinned to block!...

is white, the color is paler... never mind, it's still pink!

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Last Update, May 29th

This time, it's perfect
I knew the head would be too small, but I tried to force it on her and bam, it was limp again, so I stiffened it again, adding more starch, just in case (eh! it's for a four years old girl, she won't treat it like it were fragile or like mummy put a lot of time in it ).

Rebelotte!

This time I used my two biggest bowls to shape the head and I used a big plate to shape the brim and have a smoother look.

And... it works ! ! ! I am delighted!

Since this picture was taken, I added a lace for her to tie the hat under her chin (it's getting windy out there).

Somebody suggested I use gelatine instead of starch to avoid fading the color or the yarn, I might try that one day...

I'm writing down the pattern of this hat, it should be ready shortly!

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Just an update to show a picture of her wearing it :)