Pretty Little Things For a Gentler World

Hello, my lovely hat junkies, Guess what I did? I ordered in beautiful sewing notions from Merchant and Mills and listed them in my WEBSHOP. I have had this long standing dream of having a millinery and notions shop. I decided that if you want a dream to come true you actually need to do something about it. So, I did. Merchant and Mills is an incredible company based out of the UK that curates old world beautiful sewing notions. The Victorians had an almost spiritual belief that one should be surrounded by beauty, that even the smallest of objects: beautiful door knobs, hardware, scissors, sewing needles, should be beautiful. They believed, and I do, too, that beauty lifts us up and makes the world a little gentler. After lots of agonizing (ordering from the UK is a bit of an investment), I placed an order, just in time for a doozy of a Canada Post Strike where it’s really a bit too expensive to ship these small items via courier. That said, if you have been dreaming of a hat and would like to add in some notions then the higher shipping cost might Make sense. If you live locally or would like to pick up some notions at the Halifax market this Saturday then you can choose Local Pick up at checkout.

A petal pouch filled with sewing notions would make such a fun gift for that sewing enthusiast in your life.

Speaking of local markets….I have 3 more scheduled for the season. I will be at the Halifax Brewery Market on November 30th from 8-1. I’ll be at the Lunenburg Farmers’ Market on Thursday December 5th and I’ll be at Chicory Blue on December 7th. This pretty blue Louise hat will be with me this weekend. I’m quite smitten with the blue and white colour combo.

…and then there’s this purple starry night version. Sometimes I love creating colour combinations that are not the colours I would personally wear, but are just so fun. I look forward to meeting the woman who needs this hat. Both these hats are hand dyed and I’m happy to make more to custom fit your head size.

I have been back playing with natural dyes. This skein was first dyed with madder root and then overdyed with Indigo. The older I get the more I am unable to resist my love of all things slow. Natural dyeing cannot be rushed, but I love the connection the process gives me to the natural world. Time is just going to have to wait for me and my impractical ways. This skein of yarn will be with me this Saturday in Halifax.

If you have been thinking about knitting the Log Cabin Hat, I made a little tutorial, so you can see how these little squares are constructed. Super fun knitting. Hope you’ll join me.

Well, I know that some of your are really here for Devi the prince. I’m happy to report that he has grown into a benevolent tyrant. He most definitely rules the roost, but he does also grace me with cuddles…when he damn well feels like it.

I hope life is being kind to you all. Happy US Thanksgiving to my American friends and family. I love to hear from you. Comments always delight me. Talk soon. Anna