Lori goes to Camp and the Bubbles Headband

Last week I had the pleasure of attending a Girl's Rough-Out Camp.  We went to The Spruces Campground in the beautiful Utah Wasatch Mountains.  It was really pretty there, although the river was running really high, with all of the late spring run-off.  And, it was really COLD at night.  I slept with a sleeping bag inside of a sleeping bag, and a sweatshirt with the hood tied up tight.  But, the daytime temperatures were pleasant, and there weren't too many bugs.

We went on a grueling 5 mile hike the first day.  Here we are resting, after a steep, straight-up climb. 

I only lasted to the half-way point, when 8 of us, turned around and hiked back to the cars.  Six campers went on to Dog Lake, with our marathon-running leader, Lynnette, and one of the girl's Dad.  Lynnette and I are about the same age, but running has certainly put her in better shape.  I need to get working at that!

Fea, Noni, Alex & Clarissa

I was asked to develop a craft the girls could be taught.  I decided to design a simple crocheted headband, and a pillowcase with an iron-on stencil, colored by the girls.  Here they are working on those pillowcases.  The headbands were a little harder for them to master, but each of the Leaders made one, along with Alex and Courtney.  They were really quick learners, and Fea agreed to be my promotional model.  She wore my first sample on the hikes and throughout all of our time there.  It was a really good test, because she has the most beautiful, thick, curly hair, and the headband kept everything in place, whether her hair was down, or up.

Here I am, wearing the single row version of my latest design, "The Bubbles Headband".  It is a free pattern download at:  http://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/bubbles-headband.

Emily is modeling the double row version.  The headband is made by working single crochet stitches around soft rubber rings (1.5 inches). 

I didn't have time to do an extensive search for the perfect rings, so I lifted some "O" rings from my husband's auto repair supplies.  I'm not sure what "O" rings are used for in engines, but they work great in headbands.

I thought the headbands would work great to tame those shorter, fly-away hairs around the face.  In this picture, Alex had just played a tough softball game.  We tied the headband on after the game.  If it had been worn during the game, her ponytail wouldn't be such a mess, as it would have held those errant hairs in-place.

When the other girls on her softball team saw Alex's headband, they all wanted one, so I guess I'll be doing some major crocheting this weekend.  I hope my husband's supply of "O" rings holds out, and that he doesn't actually need any of them for making repairs.  I'm not really sure where you buy them, or what they cost.  I thought I would look around at Home Depot or Lowes, to see if a similar-type facet washer was available.

Oh, and by the way . . . Alex's softball team took First Place in their League.  They played all games without a defeat.  Congratulations everyone, including their newest team member, Tarzan!!  Tarzan was recruited when found hanging from a tree, when a home-run ball was hit.  Rosie went into fast action, and yelled, "Hey, cute guy, could you throw us that ball?"  They have been dating ever since.

Here are the supplies that are needed, along with a picture of a single row version, in process.

This pictures shows a double row version, and two single rows, with the ends woven in and one tie attached.  I was afraid that perhaps I was too old to be wearing such a hair accessory, but I decided to give it a try, and found it very comfortable.  I think I'll make me a few more, in various colors.  Happy Knitting . . .