Niina is hooked on crocheting flower hats: “Crocheting has become a way to avoid housework and unpleasant feelings”
Finnish Niina Sahlberg learned to crochet hats using granny squares and flower motifs because she couldn’t find suitable ones in stores. They’ve sparked so much admiration that she now crochets more of them for others than for herself.
Where can you find stylish hats if you have a big head? Niina Sahlberg often felt disappointed by the selection at craft shops and flea markets. Last winter, she revived her old crocheting hobby in an adult education class on granny squares. That’s when she discovered that a hat made of six squares was the perfect project for her.
Niina, how do you crochet a flower hat?
First, I crochet the squares, then the middle section, and finally attach them to the brim. Through trial and error, I discovered that six squares make for the best shape. I often look for ideas on Pinterest, but I don’t follow set patterns. Sometimes I’ve asked AI for advice on the dimensions, but those hats turned out badly. The best results come from a bit of luck and an intuitive feel.
I’ve crocheted both granny squares and flowers, and I learned to make flowers by experimenting. The one exception is my soul flower, the sunflower, which I practiced following a pattern.
Making one hat usually takes a couple of days, but sometimes it goes more slowly and can stretch to a month.
When do you wear your hats?
I believe hats can be worn all year. I usually crochet with cotton yarn, but in the summer, I also made hats from paper twine. I even tried leaving a hole in the back for a ponytail, so you can keep your hair up in the heat and still wear the hat snugly. This winter, I plan to crochet one from warm merino wool.
People almost always get curious when I wear one of my hats. After my workplace’s summer party, I received three orders. I work in the social and healthcare sector, and in my job, I advocate for equality and push back against hierarchy. That’s also the message I want these hats to carry.
What does crocheting mean to you in your day-to-day life?
Crocheting has become a way for me to avoid housework and unpleasant feelings. It also lets me step back in large groups, so I don’t have to be fully present all the time.
I have ADD, and it’s easier for me to concentrate when my hands are busy. I crochet at work, on the train, during trainings, in meetings, and at my summer cottage. It’s easy to take along—and I can only misplace one hook, unlike with knitting.
