Successful Summering and So Many Hats

Hello from the middle of summer. I am happy to report that I have been doing a pretty good job at carpe dieming. (Hope you don’t mind if I make up a verb here or there.) On a very good day, I have a batch of morning glory muffins baked (I mean, what else does one eat when witnessing the glory of the morning) and I hit the road on my somewhat rusty, weather beaten, but treasured bicycle. I have a couple of favourite routes, both leading to secluded spots where I can chat with sea birds. I sit and eat my muffin and drink some herbal tea. ( I don’t leave the house before coffee and knitting.) Sometimes I collect seaweed for my garden or sumac leaves for natural dyeing. Then I head back and start my work day. Not every day looks like this, but when it does I feel like I am succeeding at summer.

I also feel like I am succeeding when I harvest 52 bulbs of garlic.

…or make myself a hedgehog dress. I went to my local sewing store for a spool of thread, but the hedgehog sirens beckoned to me and cast me under a spell. I was completely powerless to resist their charms and walked out with 4 metres of this adorable cotton and linen blend…and a spool of thread. I purposefully bought a little more than I needed, so that I could share this fabric with you…..

….via a hedgehog Betty Bucket hat, which you can find HERE.

I also made this little hedgehog petal pouch because who doesn’t need a hedgehog petal pouch. If you would like one of these just send me a message.

I have managed to sneak in some time to make straw braid hats. This one is a wheat straw boater hat. I have three listed here in my online shop. The best thing about these straw braid hats is that I can make them in any size. When working with a woven straw body I am limited to the amount of straw that’s in the hat body, but with braid I can sew more or less braid to achieve the perfect fit. Straw hat season is way too short around here, so I never seem to get as many of these hats made as I wish. You can find my straw hats, HERE.

It’s been wonderful being back at the Lunenburg Farmers Market every Thursday from 8-12. I have met so many beautiful new faces. Tere is modelling my one of a kind Lupin hat which is available HERE.

I have developed a bit of a knitting schedule. Yes, this is what happens when you have 2 sweaters, a pair of socks, a blanket and hats on the go at the same time. In order to keep myself honest, I have limited my selfish knitting time to after my day is done. Hat knitting comes first thing in the morning. I stumble out of bed, make my coffee and knit hat bodies which later get hand felted and adorned. Fortunately for me, this does not feel like work. The knitting part is quite mindless and I can often read at the same time. I have discovered that 2 stones keep a book held open on the table. I’m quite taken with this Flower Monster hat and I intend to make more. I was able to incorporate some of my hand spun (and hand processed) yarn in the embroidery. The Flower Monster hat can be found HERE.

Incase you need inspiration to take some time to relax and enjoy the gift of summer, I offer you this photo of Devi. Thanks for spending some time with me. I’ll be back at the Halifax Brewery market on July 27th and I always love studio visits. Until next time…..xoxo, Anna