We're Auctioning Off a Slouchy Hat for Robbie T!

To all of our loyal followers, I have a very important announcement! We are participating in a facebook auction for Robbie Tesmond (click to read his story!)

We would love your support in this effort to raise money in the hopes of providing little Robbie with a new lease on life.  We're auctioning off a Baby Alpaca Slouchy Hat.  The bidding started at $5.00, and it is currently at $7.00.

The bidding is taking place at the facebook link provided above (oh, and HERE)! Please make a bid and help Robbie live to see many more birthdays to come :)

BIDDING ENDS ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 16TH!!



xo j

Do it for Yourself

This hat is very special to me. Not just because it's made from some of the SOFTEST yarn you'll ever run between your fingers (100% baby alpaca, softer than a baby's bottom).  Not because it's a nice, natural, neutral tone that matches with every outfit you can think of.  And not because it makes my head feel cozier than an evening curled up with hot chocolate and a blanket while watching countless documentaries via netflix.

No.  This hat is very special to me, because it is made for me!



I usually don't knit things for myself.  The only knit items I tend to keep are the lone sock that is still waiting for its mate to arrive (and that ain't happenin' any time soon, because I'm currently socked-out), and the pieces that I just can't bring myself to give to any decent human being.



However, I don't deny the fact that it is a good idea knit items for yourself every so often.  This isn't something you should feel guilty about in the least bit. Your work is art, whether you are willing to admit it or not.  Therefore, it should be cherished.  It is easy to knit one-too-many things and lose sight of the fact that your endless hours of stockinette stitching and knitting in the round is valued by another person.  However, when you give yourself that freebie every once and while, it brings back a little bit of pride to your being.  When you walk down the street with that carefully, hand-made hat on your head, it gives you a sense of accomplishment that you can secretly show off to world on your own accord.

"Where did you get that hat? I love it!"

"Oh!  I made this hat, actually.  And no.  You can't have it...but I'd love to make one especially for you, if you'd like."

Oh, and if you're interested, here's the blog where I found the FREE pattern.  I'm particularly enamored with this blog, so I'm extending a fair warning to you all- it's addicting.  Enter with caution.

xo  j

american chullo!

I made this hat for my most AWESOME cousin ;). [This is just the big-people's version of the adorable baby hat J posted a couple of days ago.] I was inspired by the Peruvian "chullo", which usually is a little taller, is made of alpaca fur, and has little alpaca pictures running all around the sides of the hat (see this page). I used two 8mm bamboo straight needles and Lion Brand "Wool-Ease" yarn. It's classified as a beginner's hat, since it uses the straight needles instead of circular/double pointed. (Basically, you knit the two ears separately, then attach them in between extra cast-on stitches that begin the main part of the hat - which ends up looking a bit like a curvy triangle. The curvy triangle can contain any design you wish -- be it alpacas, a contrast stripe, or cute little stitch-dots, like J's baby hat. The last step in the hat is to sew the sides of the curvy triangle together with a classic mattress stitch.)

The whole pattern is a bit long to explain here, and it in large part depends on the size you want, the type of yarn, and the size of needles you use. If you're curious and want to try making one, just shoot us an email at sheep.dog.designs2@gmail.com. :)

Total time: 6 hours

<3 N