8.1.13

snowflakes





We have had a lot of them recently. Firstly in Vancouver last month, a welcome event not only for us but for many locals too, snow in the city being somewhat of a rarity. And then again in the Rockies, where we spent the days between Christmas and New Year.

There are yet more snowflakes in 'Snöflinga' and oh, what a lovely hat this is. As it happens it is one of two hats finished over the holidays but I'm afraid any tardiness in organising photos can be blamed on the incredibly poor light we've had in the city for weeks now (will it ever brighten up, I wonder?), but probably more so because of the recent company I've been keeping. Incidentally, you may be pleased to hear that's all so last year dahling and here's where I put in a plug for good old store cupboard coconut oil on the head overnight, encased under a carefully and safely tied Wholefoods bag (one must always retain a modicum of style) as the way to go. Do this every two or three nights for a week or so (followed by a fair bit of nit picking) and it works a treat!

Those little critters were picked up during the first week of new school, I reckon, and to answer a variety of questions a few posts ago, yes they were of the Canadian nationality and no, they were no bigger than their UK cousins. Well, I assume not anyway because this was our first dalliance with the little blighters. The distressed Model was not best pleased at the thought of me announcing to the school our predicament but when I pulled the secretary aside and lowered my voice to a more discreet level, she declared 'oh yes, there are another two infected classes' and then 'welcome to Canada!'

Perhaps you didn't need to hear that much information, dear readers, but if you are a knitterly type and perhaps even a little chilly headed at the moment, you may feel the urge to read on.

Snöflinga means 'snowflake' in Swedish and those little bobbles around the centre are the fat, falling flakes. It is such an easy pattern, beautifully written, and never ever boring. Cascade Heathers in Aspen was my choice and here I must confess to being rather partial to this wool, it being such a pleasure to use and pleasingly economical too. More notes can be found here on Ravelry and if you fancy a good video tutorial for making the snowflake bobbles, there's one right here.

So, there you go, that's hat number one. Now tell me, have you got anything good on your needles right now?

A message for Leslie - thank you so much for your recent comment, thank you so much and apologies for the late reply. I can't find a way of contacting you directly so I hope you get this message. We visited Vancouver Island a couple of summers ago and fell in love with it .. Victoria, Tofino, Telegraph Cove, all stunning. I would love to take you up on your offer when we next come across that ferry. Thank you x

18 comments:

  1. Such a pretty hat! I am glad you put bobbly snowflakes round it and not bobbly nits.
    The media are getting overexcited at the prospect of snow over here next week. It may or may not come, but a hat like the would be perfect if it does. And I have lost my woolly winter hat. Hmmm.

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  2. gorgeous, and agreed, lovely wool. and isn't snoflinga is such a great word to say (presuming i'm pronouncing it right!) x

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    1. Depends on how you're pronouncing it .. snerf-ling-ger? Sounds pretty good to me :)

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  3. Thank you so much for your kind comment on my cat post - I am gradually coming out of the dark place and viewing blogs again now. Love your hat and am keen to learn more about what took you to Canada and how you settle in as I remember you wondering about moving to the countryside in UK a while back!

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  4. It is a gorgeous hat; no nit could possibly dare to invade it. I hope you are settling happily amidst the snowflakes. T x

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  5. What a truly exquisite hat. I adore those bobbles. Happy New Year to you! x

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  6. Gorgeous hat! You have my sympathy with the visitors *shudders* Laura x

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  7. Glad to hear your new Canadian 'friends' have moved out!! ;)
    Love the hat, it's a lovely shape.
    Vivienne xxx

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  8. I love the hat! It has just the perfect amount of 'slouch'. I'm so glad to hear that you are not dealing with your little critters anymore. I feel itchy just thinking about it:)

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  9. *love* that hat and I also LOVE your new header. As Val said, we're threatened with the white stuff and the long term forecast suggests that February will be cold cold cold.

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  10. Hello Kate
    Pleased to hear that those little Canadian critters are under control with stylish Wholefood bags and the oil. I nearly passed out when Alice came home with them in junior school. I never had the delight of a growing colony in my hair when I was at school and so this was my first encounter, I was totally grossed out but then it became normal when she came home a couple times more. Fortunately it stopped after that after her school took some stronger measures to keep the blighters at bay!! :o)
    Beautiful knitting, beautiful colour and yarn and beautiful hat. I hope it serves you well in that freezing weather, sending light and love your way xox Penelope
    ps.love your new header, pure majestic wonder!

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  11. I'm hoping we will have the custom smattering of snow back here in a few weeks times - just a little freeze would do me fine.

    Nina x

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  12. I love !!! It's very beautiful, and fits you perfectly !

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  13. Gorgeous hat. The temperature has dropped rapidly here this evening so could well do with a hat like that. Don't want the other things though... my head is itching just reading about them!

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  14. Such a lovely hat! And glad to hear your time with the nits has ended. I too was feeling rather itchy just reading about it. I have the Wiksten Oljett pattern and some pretty yarn ready to go, but just haven't worked up the courage to cast on (definitely a novice knitter here).

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    1. Melissa you must just go for it, Jenny's instructions are very well worded .. she could even be there holding your hand. Good luck!

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  15. The hat looks perfect - I like a lot of slouch - and really warm. Just what you need in snowy weather. Sadly a souwester is closer to required attire in North Wales at the moment!

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  16. I was just thinking that maybe when it gets cooler here I could grab a set of needles and make my daughter {living in Ontario} a hat..beanie. Then I scrolled down to this one..I am definitely bookmarking it as it is gorgeous and just feminine enough for her tastes too. I do like the little slouchiness as well.

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There's nothing like a comment to stop me feeling like I'm talking to myself. If you leave one here I'll pop one back here too, so don't forget to come back and continue the conversation ..

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