Time for my first self-published pattern, the Free Cecily Hat!
My inspiration for this one comes from a crazy dream I had last fall. Here's how it went:
I was taking a hike with Courtney Kelley and Kate Gagnon Osborn (of Kelbourne Woolens) while wearing it. They were championing their latest cause to me, a campaign to ‘Free Cecily’—fellow designer Cecily Glowik Macdonald, who had been “wrongfully accused and imprisoned for throwing rocks at schoolchildren.” As Kate so succinctly worded it, with the type of nonsense one only finds in dreams, “We know she didn’t do it, the children couldn’t even describe what type of earrings she had been wearing!”
The next day at Webs, I told my coworkers about my dream and they convinced me to design this hat. I've had yarn and work-related dreams for months before then, but this was the first design dream. It hasn't been the last either--I've had several more since then and faithfully wrote down those ideas too!
My friend Elisabeth took the beautiful photos of Erik and I frolicking at Poet's Seat Tower in Greenfield.
Of course, there were also some fun outtake photos!
The nitty-gritty details: The Free Cecily Hat features a short row brim to help cover up chilled ears and a slowly curving cable panel. An asymmetrical garter stitch flap is optional for a touch of whimsy or to showcase a favorite button. It's knit up in Cascade 220 Sport, a workhorse wool yarn with a surprising amount of drape. I love heathered colors and 220 Sport has a good selection of heathers AND solids. Of course, this hat would look great knit up in a hand dyed yarn....Madelinetosh Tosh Sport anyone?
Currently only available as a free download through Ravelry (since I haven't gotten around to hosting patterns on here yet--sorry!) but if you aren't on Ravelry and would like a copy you can email me at welforddesigns (at) gmail (dot) com.