What does “back to school” mean to you? For me, it conjures up memories of teaching and learning, meeting old and new friends, and a change of schedule. Retailers revel in the season, advertising back-to-school sales of everything from backpacks to laptops, office supplies to apparel.

My fall back-to-school hats have been in the making through the summer months. It seems a bit strange to crochet with yarns in darker colours and heavier weights while it’s still beach weather. But I have thoroughly enjoyed adding to my collection of hats with the Seed Stitch Beret design from Jessica Lombard. From this pattern, I varied the amounts of slouch and created different hat bands.

I used “Noro” yarns https://noroyarns.com/about that feature natural fibres in vivid colours and distinctive colour combinations that reflect the natural world. Minimal processing yields different thicknesses and unevenness along the length of the yarn, giving my hats a look like the wool on the sheep’s back.

The birth of a baby girl in my circle prompted me to think about hats and headbands for little ones. Newborns are learning to regulate their body temperature. So, it is a good idea to keep their heads warm with a hat outdoors, especially if they are born in a season or region that is cool.

Human babies grow incredibly fast. The newborn’s head circumference grows from an average of 34.5 cm (13.5 in) to 37.6 cm (15 in) at the end of one month. By Baby’s first birthday, his or her head size might measure 46 cm (18 in). Crocheted and knitted hats are usually made approximately 2.5 cm (1 in) smaller than the head circumference so that they will stretch and fit well.

Summer is here and I have been outdoors in nature. Over time, my appreciation has grown for the colours of Pacific coastal forest green and woody brown. With spring rain this year, cloudy skies blurred with local waters and bluish-grey mountains loomed in the background.

A change of pace led me to take a break from hats and turn to scarves. Though it takes time, the making of a long scarf matches the long lazy days of summer. Getting started merely involves deciding on a pattern and choosing an appropriate yarn and colour. I can be challenged by determining the number of stitches per pattern repeat or incorporating a twist or two in a cowl or infinity scarf.

This Friday evening, come find Hats by Tracy J at the @madeinthe604 Summer Night Market. Located at the stunning Pipe Shop Venue in North Vancouver’s Shipyards District, this night market will feature 50 local artisans, crafters, and creators. Discover unique treasures and support small businesses! Outside, enjoy a lively concert series, a refreshing beer garden, delicious food trucks, and a variety of fun activities for the whole family. 

Summer Night Market

Hosted by Made in the 604
 Date: Friday, May 31, 2024 
 Time: 5:00 PM to 10:00 PM
 Location: Pipe Shop, 115 Victory Ship Way, North Vancouver

The Pipe Shop is the big red building behind Tap and Barrel and across from Nook Restaurant / Pinnacle at the Pier Hotel. It is a dog-friendly venue! 

Admission is FREE!

The Pittsburgh Satellite Reef is one exhibit of a larger community-based project called the Crochet Coral Reef by Christine Wertheim and Margaret Wertheim. The coral art installations call attention to global warming and oceanic plastic trash. Thousands of women from all over the world have contributed with their crocheting of sculptural coral. Their instruments are the crochet hook and creative power.

Satellite reefs have popped up recently in Pittsburgh, Germany and Austria. The one in Pittsburgh can be viewed at the Carnegie Museum of Art. Some of the crocheted coral pieces from this diverse and colourful collection resemble the flowers I have made to adorn cloches. Others simply spark the imagination. 

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 to your skin tone is recommended since a hat is worn close to the face. The colours and pattern of the fabric ought to be complementary to, and not clash with, your clothing. A hat can dress an outfit up or down. A hat featuring red poppies can finish an outfit with a polished and understated stylishness.

Hats are an accessory that allows you to express your personality and style. Does it require a hit of daring to wear an eye-catching hat of bold colour like tangerine orange, electric blue or crocus purple? Certainly, but it can inject a boost of confidence as you wear it, walking tall and poised with an air of self-assurance. Jazz up a neutral outfit and accessorize with other bold pieces, such as jewelry, shoes and a bag.

A patterned hat with a rainbow of colours can add a sense of whimsy or playfulness to any outfit. Along with the practical aspect of sun protection, such a hat can elevate beachwear, vacation wear or a sundress at an afternoon garden party.

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 line city streets. They inspired the fresh and feminine look of the pink crocheted shells in the pictured hat.

Getting outside my usual environment by travelling or visiting museums stimulates my senses. The organic architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright resonates with me. His choice of light ochre for concrete and Cherokee red for steel in iconic Fallingwater simultaneously stands out and blends into the surroundings. Fallingwater lies between the villages of Mill Run and Ohiopyle.

With the warm earth tones in mind, I stepped outside my usual colour palette with this burnt orange cotton toque. A simple flower with a wooden button gives the hat an organic feel.

Jewel tones have a high level of colour saturation. Cotton, a natural and breathable fibre, makes these crocheted buckets an easy choice for wearing in spring, summer, and even autumn.

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 or sisters with entrepreneurial spirit. Although I walked through all the aisles of this large artisan market, my eye was drawn to anything crochet.

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 negative emotions down to size and reduces stress. Studies have shown that creative pursuits can indeed enhance feelings of happiness and well-being.

Wonder how to get creative if you’re not so inclined? One way is to “find your people”, as Tracey Brower suggests in a 2021 Forbes article “How to Be More Creative And Boost Happiness: 6 Ways to Get Inspired”. While making hats is mostly an individual endeavour, I draw inspiration from others. My sister who lives in Ontario gave me the idea to make headbands, a welcome transition from the warm hats of winter through the spring thaw. A stylish friend who favours timeless over trendy gifted me a collection of buttons collected over the years. From the input of my sister and the buttons of my friend, I crocheted Hope Earwarmers, a design by Yarn + Chai.

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 in the 1700s to help deal with the harsh climates of Scotland and Ireland. Sheep wool fibres used to be dyed with natural materials such as lichen and wildflowers. Thus, wool was typically the muted colours of brown, green and grey.

The wool fibres are spun into yarn. Colour blending produces a multi-coloured tweed wool, often with small flecks of colour, for knitting or crocheting. Other natural fibres like cotton and silk might be mixed in.  I found that tweed yarns look great made up with all-over repeated stitches. Simple is better when it comes to tweed. For the Alpine Crochet Headbands, the stitches alternate between double crochet and front post double crochet stitches.