Help!!! I need some ideas!

Hi Everyone!

Sorry if the post title is a little over dramatic, but I seriously DO need help with my current project!

As you all know, I love Lord of the Rings.  I also love making replicas of Lord of the Rings things.  And I also love making gifts. 
So, I am working on a LOTR birthday gift for someone, but I've run into a problem.
I am making Eomer's helmet--here is a pic, found here:

I've finished all of it but one thing--that lovely lock of horse hair up on top.  And to me, it can't really be recognized as being Eomer's helmet at all without the horse hair.
The problem is this--I have NO idea what to use for the hair!  I don't happen to own a horse (or anyone that would be willing to trim their horse's tail for my project!)

I thought that a cheap hair extension would work, and I still think it would--but obviously I underestimated how difficult is would be to find a cheap hair extension... I mean, really, who pays like $130.00 for a hair extension?! 
So, do you guys have ANY ideas for something that would work as faux horse hair?  Or where I can buy a cheap wig/hair extension? 
Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! 

Thanks, have a great day! :)

Curacao Shawl WIP

Hi Everyone!

I recently purchased Doris Chan's book, Amazing Crochet Lace and I am happy to say that I finished one of the patterns from the book today!
I used the pattern for the Blue Curacao shawl, and it was super fun!

I used Caron Simply Soft yarn to crochet the shawl--not because I really thought it would work well, but I wanted to try the pattern out with yarn I am not incredibly fond of before I got any nice yarn for this project. 

I have no idea if blocking will work at all with this yarn (I've never blocked anything before!) but I thought that the worst that could happen is I would have to wait for it to dry. 

Here is the shawl blocking:

Notice the pineapples?  I couldn't be happier with this book! 

I will let you all know how the blocking goes!

Have a great week!

Crochet Shrug Progress

Hi everyone!

Today I'm sharing a few pictures of the shrug I am working on.  I was using the pattern  for the 9 to 5 shrug, found here, however, it seems that the pattern has been removed as it is going to be published in Crochet World magazine this June. 

I really like how it is turning out, what do you think?

-Stitchingupastorm