Fluffy Clouds and Scrappy Sundays.

Whew, I finally made it back here. It has been a whirlwind of a month. I kept trying to get some hats made to tell you about and then before I could sit down and start typing they would sell. I have been particularly delighted that my hand knit and felted hats have been finding their heads quite quickly. I love all my hats, but being able to feed my family while feeding my knitting addiction has been particularly rewarding. I also think of my knit hats as my sustainable, slow fashion version of my polar fleece hats.

When I decided to cut back on my use of polar fleece I spent a lot of time looking for a natural fibre alternative with similar cozy qualities. In the end I decided that the most sustainable knit fabric is one that is actually knit by hand. Knitting is inherently zero waste. In sewing, you cut a piece of fabric and always end up with scrap. In knitting you are creating the actual fabric and shaping it at the same time, so there is no waste. Any leftover yarn goes into another hat. I am so grateful that you have been coming along for the ride with me as I shift towards creating more environmentally friendly hats.

I’m a bit obsessed with this cloche style right now…the way it comes down low over the ears…the 1920’s vibe…..the utter coziness of it all. I have other hats in my head that want to get out, but every time I cast on a new hat I end up knitting this style. I’ll just have to see this obsession through and move on when I’m ready.

This pretty light grey version is waiting for a lady with a large head size. I have the specifics listed in the shop. I have been incorporating little bits of my naturally dyed yarn into these hats. This light pink was dyed with Cochineal.

This past summer I played around with natural dyeing. I really love the process of drawing colour from the natural world. I brought most of the finished skeins down to my beautiful local yarn shop, The Mariner’s Daughter. I hope to get back to dyeing soon, but it is on the back burner right now.

I couldn’t let it all go, though. This shawl that I am designing is made with three different shades of madder root dyed yarn. One of the really fun things about natural dyeing is discovering how many different colours can be achieved with one dye.

Back in hat land…I finished a couple more of my Maisie hats, made from locally handwoven wool. I line these hats with silk, so they are very soft inside.

Here’s another one in burned orange. It seems I can’t have enough orange in my life.

As you have probably surmised by now, I am a woman of many projects. Some go from beginning to end in a fluid motion while others lay in the unfinished object corner of shame. This Water Arcade Blanket, designed by Carolyn Bloom, falls into the latter category. I actually love to make it, but I noticed that anything that I have to piece together becomes a shining example of procrastination. I have turned over a new leaf, though. My problem has been solved with a hashtag…#scrappysunday. Every Sunday I work on projects that use up yarn and fabric scraps. Somehow, this is working for me. This is my scrappy crochet project…

…and underneath this fluffy fur ball is my scrappy sewing project. I have been making kitty beds to donate to my local animal shelter. Another woman, Amanda, volunteered to make them with me. I am stuffing them with all those tiny fabric scraps that are too small to be used elsewhere. I tried explaining to Devi that this one is not for him and this was his response. Quality control?

Of course, I do regularly stretch my legs and walk around this amazing town. We got quite a lot of snow the other day. I’m afraid it will all be washed away soon as we have a big rain storm coming our way…..but it’s pretty right now.

The wind loves Lunenburg. Here’s what our house looked like yesterday morning.

I’ll leave you with a couple more photos. Almost every afternoon at 4:30 I walk with my 86 year old neighbour, Margaret, and my probably 86 year old dog, Lego…and this is our reward for venturing out. Each evening tries to upstage the previous one.

My neighbour, Kelly, took this photo from her widow’s walk as we were heading back home. I’ll never tire of this pretty town…Well, it was so nice to finally spend some time with you. I wish you all the happiest of holidays and a healthy and joyful new year. See you again soon. xoxo Anna