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