Brick Sidewalk Beanie from fibre space--Done!

Hats off!

My relationship with knitted hats has been a rocky one. In Chicago, we definitely need warm hats, but my hair and my head don’t seem to get along with knitted hats. Some people look adorable in beanies, tams, or all types of hats, but I am not one of them. I am happy to make them, but I usually end up giving them away.

The fact that I don’t hate how it looks on my head is a high testament to this pattern. I don’t love it, but I never expected it to. I tolerate it—style-wise—but I do have to tell you it feels wonderful. Cozy and plush, with the perfect snugness of headband. And the little bit of slouch makes it feel trendy. Seriously, for a knit hat, that’s a home-run in my world.

I know what will probably happen. I’ll keep it, maybe wear it once or twice when I truly need to feel warm. Then I’ll run across some adorable millennial—my daughter, someone else’s daughter, someone from church or writing group—and I’ll know in my knitter’s heart of hearts it belongs to them. And without a moment’s hesitation and a gleeful heart, I’ll say, “Here, I made this, and I want you to have it.” I’ll have enjoyed the pleasure of knitting it, and they’ll have the pleasure of wearing it—everybody wins!

Now that we’ve had our knitting experience, my next post will introduce you to the lovely store that provided this pattern: fibre space in Alexandria, VA.  Stay tuned to learn about their brand new location!

Smocked Slouch from Genuine Purl - Done!

It’s finished.

I can’t decide if I love it, and that’s SO frustrating. 

On the one hand, it’s so warm and comfortable.  I actually like the extra room, and I seem to be all about green this year, so the color appeals to me.

On the other hand, I put it on my head and think “Are you sure you can pull this off?  Are you sure you should pull this off?”  In the back of my brain I hear passersby snickering and thinking unkind thoughts the way I do when someone wears leggings as pants.  You know, I’d stand up on a soapbox in the middle of Times Square and reprimand the female half of the world for wearing leggings as pants.  If I can see all of your backside--or worse yet, if I can clearly see what color underwear you have on--you need more substantial pants, sister!

Ahem.  I digress.  It’s a gift.

I do like the hat.  I wore it shoveling the huge amounts of snow that dumped on Chicago this week, and I have to say I’m impressed that it didn’t totally destroy my hair (see left--no small feat!).  I have not yet mustered the gumption to wear it out and about.  I, who drive a moss-green Nissan Cube, a car some people (i.e. my teenage son) consider the ugliest car ever made but which I adore, have no business being hesitant about a hat.

After all, there’s quirky, and then there’s just plain in appropriate.  Me in a Cube?  That’s quirky.  Me in a bikini?  Inappropriate for at least another 25 pounds, and probably not even then.

But, really, it’s either a quirky or inappropriate HAT, not a national crisis.  DestiKNITters, what do you think?   Should I wear it proudly, as a reminder of my wonderful visit to Genuine Purl in Chattanooga or tell my 20-something daughter she has a new hat?