If you own many hats that you wear and love, then you might be considered a hat enthusiast. If you “wear many hats”, then you are versatile and adaptable to a multitude of situations. Today’s blog post challenges you to think how versatile a bold or patterned hat might work for you. Choosing colours flattering …
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Inspiration
The colours of my latest crochet cloches were inspired by two events, the arrival of spring and a visit to southwestern Pennsylvania. The city of Pittsburgh and nearby Ohiopyle State Park in the Laurel Highlands provided plenty of visual interest. Flowering cherry and magnolia trees at home in Vancouver and Eastern redbud blossoms in Pittsburgh …
One of a Kind Spring Show
On the Easter weekend, I attended the One of a Kind Show in Toronto, Canada where the talent of Canadian makers, artists and designers was showcased. It was interesting for me to see eye-catching booth displays and hear about the histories and production processes from other makers. Many are women and involve mothers and daughters …
The Joy of Creating
Working with my hands is joyful and meditative. I find pleasure in the chance to choose high quality raw materials, focus on patterns and stitches, incorporate intricate design elements, and make something unique or personalized. If I’m wound up in worry, picking up my crochet hook or sewing needle helps put life into perspective, cuts …
Tweed
Whether it be outerwear, cardigans or blankets, tweed garments are rustic, durable, and warm. Traditionally, sheep shorn for the first time provide the finest and softest fibres that are the building blocks of tweed yarns and fabrics. The name “tweed” comes from the River Tweed that runs along the Scottish Borders Region. Tweed was developed …
Peach Fuzz, Pantone Colour of 2024
Pantone provides a library of colour standards. It is used globally in graphic and multimedia design and the textile, fashion, interior design and home industries. The Pantone Color Institute was established to provide designers and brands with colour consulting and trend forecasting. The first ever colour of the year was Cerulean in 1999. A quarter …
Wool Sensitivity and Warmth
“I can’t wear wool next to my skin. It’s too itchy! I want to keep my head warm on freezing winter days. What can I do?” A microscope gives us some clues. If you look at sheep wool under a microscope, you can see the fibres have a scaled surface. Sheep also secrete lanolin through …
Winter Sale
30% off Hats by Tracy J! It’s time to refresh my collection and make room on the shelf for new hats. In the retail industry, the hats on sale may be considered “dusty inventory”, but there’s nothing dusty in the classic cloches, slouchy beanies, and reversible summer bucket hats that need a head to love. …
What to do with Leftover Yarn?
After many crocheted hats, a stash of leftover yarn remains in my storage cupboard. While I come from a “waste not, want not” upbringing, I also do not have limitless closet space and love to clear clutter. What to do with all the unused yarn? In the past, I have used yarn scraps to make …
Wesbrook Village Tapestry’s Holiday Market
Please come to the Wesbrook Village Holiday Market at UBC. Hats by Tracy J will be there, along with other vendors selling unique gifts, crafts and treats. Live music will be performed by the Willy Blizzard Duo. When? Thursday, December 14, 2023, 2-4 PM Where? Tapestry at Wesbrook Village, 3338 Wesbrook Mall, Vancouver, BC
Hats by Tracy J 