The'Soulemama Hat'
I finished up my Soulemama hat at the end of September but hadn't photographed it. I finally made Kevin take my picture in it at the farmers market last week (although it was not yet blocked - I am hoping that the 'puffing' on the top of the hat goes away after I block it). I made this one in wool and I plan on making another one in cotton for the spring. It's already quite chilly here so this hat has become a necessity. It actually helps me out with the girls, as well. We have a rule that they must wear a hat whenever they are outside (whatever the weather). K caught on to the fact that mama doesn't wear a hat outside so she started using that as an excuse to not wear one. Well, this solves that problem. Now I never go out without it on. 'Lead by example' really rings true here, huh?!
It's funny because all the vendors at our farmers market know us by our hats and my knitting.
St. Nicholas knitting time
I got this beautiful rainbow yarn quite some time ago from the wonderfully sweet Melissa at Ram in the Thicket but was almost afraid to knit with it. I didn't want to ruin it or waste it. Then K started mentioning that her K baby is cold a lot and needs warm clothes. I thought this yarn would be perfect for keeping her warm and it was a great idea for her St. Nicholas gift. I found the pattern on ravelry here. It is super easy. My only complaint is the holes that appear from the yarn over increases. I plan on knitting more of these sweaters but I will try to replace that increase with another and see how it goes. I think K will still love it, though.
More current WIPs:
I am currently working on the prize for my upcoming giveaway and plan on announcing that in early November. I was hoping to post the Winter Ornament Swap today but I think that will have to wait until next week. I have to stop before I spread myself to thin.
Lastly, we have a great tradition for Halloween. The Halloween Fairy visits our home Halloween night to gather all the candy the girls collect and then in return leaves them a little surprise. I am having a hard time this year, though. I don't know if it's the move or maybe it's just that my brain chooses to no longer work but I can not think of a single thing for the Halloween Fairy to bring the girls. I am really running out of time, too. I know she will bring them honey sticks but what else? Can anyone suggest anything? Just something small and simple I could make them or purchase them. I was hoping to find something bat related for K but really anything at this point will do. Thanks for any help!
Thank you everyone for your warm welcome into our home and your well wishes. I am feeling almost 100% better and we are slowly settling in. I hope you are all having a wonderful week.
Happy creating!
25 comments:
We have the Halloween tomten that does the same thing. lol, I'm glad to know I'm not the only mom that takes the candy away. This year I'm leaving them a couple of small wooden animals (owl, raccoon) made by Mamaroots on Etsy.
When Zach got older and got smart to that whole game of swapping (age 4) we took a friends tip and talked to him about switching the "junky candy" for some "good candy". So goodbye to the Nerds, kit-kats, etc and exchange for some small, individually wrapped squares of organic dark chocolate. That way he felt like he was still part of the whole thing, but not getting bags of junk.
You can consider something like beads, pumpkin muffins, smencils, a nice set of home made playdough, a new book...?
p.s. as for bat related, the book Bats in the Library is really sweet. And depending on how much you want to spend, mamaroots has a beautiful carved bat this season.
also - the hat looks fabulous!
Hi there! I have a Halloween suggestion. I was considering an ostheimer figurine or a zooloo natural figurine. I am eyeing their wizard.
The hat looks beautiful!!!
The halloween fairy is a great idea.... I think she might be making a visit to our house as well...
The doll sweater looks beautiful as is the yarn! GLad you are all safe and sound at your new home!
Warm wishes.
We call her the Sugar Plum Fairy over here, but, yes, I too am searching for ideas (when did Halloween get so sneaky? Wasn't it September yesterday? LOL)
My oldest has figured out that mama doesn't always wear a hat, too. I had the sniffles yesterday and she told me "You should have worn a hat outside." Wise and true (and a good excuse for hat knitting, too!)
Best Wishes! And, so glad that you are feeling better! I've had a breast infection, too and it is misery.
I love the Soule Mama hat pattern, it is a wonderful knit. The colour you knitted yours in is beautiful:)
Great hat! And what a cute little sweater, can't wait to see it finished! ;o)
Wonderful knitting! I always look forward to seeing what you are working on. I finally got around to joining the WIP this week too.
I love your leading by example thoughts :)
Gorgeous knits - and love the yarns. That Soule Mama hat looks like it would keep your head nice and toasty. I'm not much help in the Halloween department, but love reading everyone else's suggestions.
We do the Halloween Fairy here as well. I am hoping to order something from zooloonatural on etsy. We've been so, so, so pleased with their figures.
boatbaby and i are on the same page...i was going to suggest mamaroots bats and homemade playdough (and maybe a bat cookie cutter or two?) i bet you could dye the playdough with some tumeric with a bit of water and then add some yummy essential oil to it for scent.
love the hat. i want to make one for myself. i never make anything for myself...that needs to change ;).
the candy fair comes here too...this year i have grimm's large stacking fire set, the autumn book by gerda muller and some organic candies (honey sticks, fruit leathers, etc)...plus maybe a window star or two. my dd things they come from fairies.
loving reading other's suggestions.
peace,
hillary
I was going to suggest the home made playdough too...yellow (tumeric)and orange? And I'd give up my own candy for any of the beautiful wooden figures!
But at our house (with slightly older kids) I let them pick out what few peices of candy they want and then proclaim the rest for keeping to decorate our Holiday Gingerbread house with (then I later go through and toss whatever necessary). And the kids love decorating the house later. There is a little nibbling (as to be expected) while trimming, but overall not much. And Mama's rule is the house is for display only.
Good luck! I'm sure you'll think of something sweet.
I'd second "Bats in the Library" - my 4 1/2 yo adores that book and I like the cadence of it as you read it out loud.
We're doing the Sugar Sprite for the first time this year. Typically a great deal of the candy mysteriously disappeared with Daddy as he took it to work. This year we have some simple wooden cars that I found locally. I know both kids will get a kick out of it.
I'm so glad you are doing better. Wishing you the best settling into your new home!!! Mamaroots bat is very cute, but you might even be able to make a bat out of wool (I noticed your dove) Lucky, mamas for switching out the candy. That is not working with my little one, although I am able to gradually get rid of some at a time. I must say that I LOVE the idea of using the candy for a Gingerbread House.
Wonderful blog! I am enchanted :) Best greetings from Polish family :)
I wanted to update that I was talking about the Halloween candy deal with like minded friends this afternoon and they suggested the age rule -- you can pick one piece of candy per age you are. So 5 pieces for your 5 year old and so on. The rest goes to the fairy or daddy's office :)
All sorts of good ideas here -- nice to have them all in our tool box so we can pick what works for the moment.
The hat turned out quite lovely! I can't wait to see the finished doll sweater. So sweet! I'm totally borrowing your Halloween fairy idea, by the way. Last year, we trick-or-treated, then gave that candy to other trick-or-treaters while eating organic dark chocolate and Yummy Earth lollipops.
a little heavy handed (what, me?) but st. nick and the sugar fairy both always leave new toothbrushes - my kids love it. (also treat/gifties - but this is part of it.) I too need to figure out my game for this year - my son remembers every single move the fairies make.
Sweet hat...from Soulemama's book? I need a pretty new hat, too and am looking around for patterns. I will put on my thinking cap for your candy problem. Beth
I am on an Enki discussion board and this candy fairy came up, and I love all the variations! The switch witch, the great pumpkin, the green pumpkin, the toothless gnome, the sugar sprites. Now I can't decide who is going to come visit! I have ordered "room on the broom" for our switch, and I have been looking for another simple idea too. I want to make sure to not go overboard!
the hat looks beautiful! and yes indeed, hats are just as important for us as they are for our little ones. :) love the little pullover doll sweater, too - i think i'm going to have to make one of those. :) we also get a visit from the sugar fairy and she usually leaves us a new ostheimer figure or a new play silk. :)
I'll have to mull the whole candy-removal idea myself. Maybe she can "buy" something with her candy.
And just out of curiosity, why do you have your kids wear hats all the time?
Kate - There's some info on hats here: http://christopherushomeschool.typepad.com/blog/2007/05/lets_hear_it_fo.html
Hope that helps :)
Thank you again everyone!!
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