Red, Red Roses on Black Hat

True Red Roses

This is a hat I made last April.  I was inspired by all of the Derby hats I knew would be around for the race and, so, I made my own winter version.

This hat is not for sale.

My blog: http://marylaruedesigns.blogspot.com/

My email: marylarue@bellsouth.net

Black & White, Flowers & Pearls Hat

Black & White, Flowers & Pearls

This black & white hat is made with a wool that produces a lovely halo effect after it's fulled (felted).  In the center of the three large flowers are 9mm freshwater (cultured) pearls.  There are smaller freshwater pearls in the centers of the other flowers.

Since the average woman's head size is between 21" and 23", one hat size does not fit all.  Commercial hat makers generally seem to make sizes on the smaller side.  Consequently, I've heard a number of women say that they have a 'big head' and have a hard time finding

hats that fit.  With a head size of 22 1/4", I'm one of those.  To accommodate the differences in head sizes, most all of my hats are made with a good measure of stretch.  In addition, most can be stretched permanently for larger head sizes.

Beginning in mid-September, a selection of my hats will be available at Edenside Gallery in Louisville.  Others may be purchased directly from me.

For purchases, special orders or questions, please e-mail:  marylarue@bellsouth.net
My blog: http://marylaruedesigns.blogspot.com/

Edwardian Hat in Dove Gray Heather Wool with Curly Locks

Curly Locks on Dove Gray

As I was knitting during this summer's terrible high heat and humidity, I was thinking of light, summery colors and flowers.  This hat, in a medium gray with white curly locks all around, is one result.

The large center flower has a 9mm freshwater pearl at its center while the seven other curly locks flowers have 7mm pearls at their centers.  There is also a small flower with a pearl on the top.  ... And a ladybug on the back.

 

Edwardian Hat in Thyme and Mahogony

Thyme and Mahogony

This hat, which I finished recently, is made from a wool yarn that is comprised of 70% Peruvian Highland Wool and 30% Superfine Alpaca.  The result is a soft, yet substantial, hat.  Each flower has a freshwater pearl center.

The colors and shape of this hat make me think of the British suffragettes of the early part of the twentieth century.  I have a vision of these ladies carrying placards and marching in front of the Parliament building, demanding the vote.  It's a good imagine.

A Dragonfly Gracing a Burgundy Hat

This is a hat I made last winter.  I needle felted the dragonfly that is alight on it.  I enjoyed making the dragonfly and thought about doing more bugs - dragonflies, butterflies, grasshoppers.  But it was time consuming so I don't know when I'll do another.

The flowers are made from curly locks (from a sheep with very curly wool!) that I hand dyed.  In the center of the flowers are fresh water (cultured) pearls.

Dragonfly

More Hats Made This Spring and Summer

Chartreuse Splash

It's a surprise to me that so many people like chartreuse but I do hear it quite a lot.  So here's a hat for anyone who likes to make a statement and a bold entrance. 

Below is my Storm and Moss hat made with DK weight 100% Merino wool yarn.  This makes a hat that is light in weight but warm and very soft to the touch.  I give all of my hats a rinse in either fabric softener or cream rinse so they are all soft.  But the type of wool always makes a difference and Merino is wonderfully soft with or without a rinse.  To me, this hat has an Edwardian feel.

This is the first hat that has a ladybug on the back.  Now I'm making ladybugs for all of my hats, at least for the rest of this year.

Storm and Moss

Two Recent Hats

In the coming week or so, I plan to upload pictures of the hats that I've been working on over the summer.  I'm including two today. 

Sunshine Hat

I've been using a variety of wool yarns for the hat bodies.  The type of sheep (or other animal, e.g. alpaca) from which the wool comes makes a difference in the properties of various yarns as does the way the yarns are processed.  Those things, in turn, influence the way the wool yarn reacts to washing and fulling - the process that causes the fibers to intermingling and reform into a sturdy fabric.

For example, using different yarns with different properties means that some hats are stretchier while others are less elastic.  Some appear smoother while others have a halo of tiny fibers around them (such as the one above and the one below).  And those made from alpaca are hypoallergenic since the wool of the baby alpaca contains no lanolin and is soft to the touch.

Blues and Berries Hat