Tag Archives: hat

Inspiration: Taming the Jungle

My yard likes to grow.

A lot.

Especially when it’s damp and chilly.

You know what’s super not fun when it’s damp and chilly?

Weeding, pruning, trimming, and mowing.

I’ve got goosebumps and stiff, chilly fingers just from thinking about it. Brrrr. Especially when your jeans start to soak through, your glasses fog up and your sneakers get wet. No fun at all.

So, I’ve got to be sure to dress properly when I go out into my yard to do battle with the blackberry vines (and battalions of mushrooms, and scores of overgrown oregano bushes). And, because I’m me, that means lots of knitwear.

Of course, I’ve got to start with a nice mid-weight sweater to keep me warm without weighing me down.

ravello by Isabell KraemerAnd top it off with a lovely slouchy hat to keep my ears from catching frostbite.

Sockhead Hat by Kelly McClure

And I’ll finish it off with some pretty-yet-practical fingerless gloves. These would be perfect for under my thick leather gardening gloves- then I’ll keep warm, and keep my fingers from being ripped apart by blackberry thorns!

Maize by tincanknits

Now that I’m all suited up- Once more into the breach! Wish me luck!

Do you have a favorite outfit for working in the yard?

Inspiration: Off to College

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My brother-in law is right in the middle of his first month at college, and I’m so excited for him! He’s going to SIU, Carbondale (in Illinois), and working for a degree in Aviation. How impressive is that! He already has his private pilot’s liscense, and he’s well on his way to becoming a commercial airplane pilot. He’s been into planes since I met him when he was little-more than 10 years ago, and now he’s turning his passion into a career. It’s so impressive!

As you know, when I get excited about something, I think about what I can knit to celebrate it. And in this case, here’s what I’m thinking:

My brother-in-law is a guy of simple tastes and if I were to make him a sweater, it would definitely look something like this. Simple, utilitarian, and nice and warm for those Illinois winters.

# 1212 Zipper Hoodie for Men by Diane SoucyBut that would be pretty boring to knit. So maybe I should making something a little goofier. Like this airplane-themed hat.

The Airplane Beanie by North Star KnitsI suppose that hat is a little juvenile for a 18-year-old college student, though. I guess I should go classic and make my brother-in-law a SIUC scarf and call it a day. I’d just have to change the colors from blue and orange to burgundy and black, and I’d be good to go.

Clemson College Scarf by Molly MattersCongrats to my brother-in-law! I can’t wait to see where you go!

Inspiration: Lopez Island

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This weekend, my husband, my pup and I went on an impromptu trip up to the islands, and it was amazing!

We visited Lopez Island, which sounds like it should be in the Carribean, off the coast of Mexico, but is actually a tiny farming and fishing community in the Straight of Juan de Fuca, north of the Olympic Peninsula and just south of Canada.

We took the ferry early Saturday morning and got thoroughly windblown.

But I think Ollie enjoyed himself. So many new smells for him to sniff! He’s actually still recovering.

We hiked along beaches and clambered over rocks. We saw seals and schools of tiny silver fish and jumping Pink Salmon.

It was a lovely break from the city. Cool, overcast and perfect PNW weather.

It makes me want to get out my needles and make some island-appropriate gear for when I move up to the islands. Which definitely is going to happen. Someday.

Island Wools Swirl Hat by Julie Packard

Bandana Cowl by Purl Soho Fiona Coat by Justyna Lorkowska

Where is your favorite place to visit on a day trip?

Inspiration: Wood

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5 years ago this week, my husband and I threw an awesome party in a city park in Austin. It was pretty great. There was a swing band, a margarita machine, a taco bar and peacocks running around (because why not?).

Oh, and we got married.

It was probably one of the best days of my life. We had friends and family come in from across the country (and overseas) and we had the best time ever. It was a great big fun party, and the best part was that I was married to my best friend at the end of it.

(Ew, gross. Sorry. I figured I should say something sappy for my fifth anniversary, since that’s kind of a big deal. But who wants to hear this stuff? No one… Let’s talk about yarn instead.)

The traditional gift for fifth anniversaries is wood. (Who says it’s traditional? I don’t know. Someone on the internet.) But, since I’m me, and wool isn’t the traditional gift until the 7th anniversary, let’s use some creative license and look at wood-inspired knitting patterns.

I love the complicated-looking cables on this hat. Very cool.

Wood Hollow Hat by Kirsten KapurThe last thing I need to make myself is another over-sized pullover, but this one is so pretty, I might have to make an exception. The subtle tree-branch cables are gorgeous!

Wood Pullover by Carrie Bostick Hoge

This gorgeous blanket would be fantastic over the back of a leather wing-back chair beside a fireplace in a cabin high up in the Cascades. Or, on my Ikea couch, next to my TV. One or the other.

Wooded Trail Throw by Michael del Vecchio

Happy Anniversary, Tristan! I love you! Here’s to many more happy years together! (Sorry, everyone. I’m done with the mushy stuff. Promise!)

Are you married? How long? What was your last “traditional” anniversary present?

Inspiration: Charity Knitting

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Congratulations! You made it through Christmas! You’re probably heading out to buy batteries for your kids’ Christmas presents and nursing a hangover from too many sugar cookies.

(Also, it’s my mom’s birthday! Happy Birthday, Mom!)

But the day after ftsChristmas is not just a day for regretting that fifth cup of eggnog. It’s Boxing Day! We don’t really celebrate Boxing Day in America, but I learned about it when we lived in the UK as a kid. Boxing Day is the day after Christmas, and was the day when the wealthy folks (think Lord and Lady Crawley) gave gifts to their servants and the other poor folks in their town.

Sure, it sounds patronizing when you put it that way, but it’s a good idea. If Christmas is all about getting gifts, then Boxing Day is all about giving.

And, since you’ve all finished your Christmas knitting, you’ve got plenty of time for some Boxing Day charity knitting?

These beautiful (and simple) little hats would be perfect to drop off at a hospital for preemies (and their mothers). Just be sure to check your local hospital’s regulations before you start knitting.

Preemie Hats for Charity by Carissa Browning

Up for something a little more challenging? Think about contributing to the Mother Bear Project. These darling little teddy bears are sent to kids around the world whose lives have been affected by HIV and AIDS. (And the bear pattern is pretty cute, too.)

Mother Bear Project Teddy Bear by Amy Berman

Maybe you want to do something a little different? Think about knitting a prosthetic breast or two and dropping them off at your local hospital (or local knitting shop… my LYS is having a breast drive right now, which is pretty cool). These prostheses are lighter and more comfortable on healing skin than the medical-grade ones, and don’t require complicated undergarments to stay in place. And they can come in cashmere, which is pretty cool.

Do you do any charity knitting? What groups do you give to?

Adventure Time Again!

Pattern: Evergreen Cap

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Hey, guys! I’ve got exciting news!

Who’s got two thumbs and is one of Knit Picks’ newest pattern designers?

This gal.

Totally exciting, right? As of Monday morning, my first official Knit Picks pattern went up, and, I have to say, it’s one that I’m pretty proud of. (I’m actually wearing the prototype as I write this. But that has more to do with the fact that my house is very cold, and less to do with how proud I am.)

This design has been bouncing around in my head for over a year and was finalized months ago. I’ve been dying to share it with you, and now I can! Woo hoo!

Also, look: they even took professional photos with a real-life model (instead of me taking weird-angled shots with my tiny point-and-click camera that eats its battery after five pictures).

Ooh… Aah…

And, if you want to read the blurb from the website:

“The Evergreen Cap is an exceptionally cozy unisex hat, perfect for everyone on your Christmas list. A richly cabled beanie knit in thick Wool of the Andes Superwash, this hat keeps out even the coldest winter wind. Inspired by the tall cedar trees of the Pacific Northwest, wide cables climb smoothly from the cap’s brim up to the crown. Carefully arranged decreases allow the cables to continue uninterrupted to the very top of the hat.The Evergreen Cap is a quick and lovely accessory for men and women.”

Fun, right?!