punkinhead

hand knitted baby hats…for warm heads & warm hearts

Oct 15

Wisdom from a Hotel that’s both Exotic and Marigold

by kathi k

If you know me, you know I Heart Dame Judi Dench.  I first fell in love with her in “As Time Goes By” a phenomenal Britcom from the 90’s.   It’s funny and droll – full of that British humor I love.  It used to be my favorite thing to watch every Saturday night on PBS.   Yes, Saturday night.   In our house, every Saturday night was a Disney or Barbie movie, followed by excellent Britcoms after the kid went to bed.  Such is the life of a parent.

But, to my point, Dame Judi Dench is also in one of my favorite movies, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”   (And, of course, its equally awesome sequel “The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”.)  One of my favorite lines from BEMH is “Everything will be okay in the end, and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”   I recently had to take this advice to heart when I considered a job change.   It caused me anxiety, to be sure, but I just knew everything would work out.

And it did.  I was hooked up with a new job the very same day I left the old.   I am thrilled with my new position, love my new team (not that I didn’t love my other team members) and in many ways this is a much better fit for me.  And I never had any doubt it would all work out.

“God never closes one door without opening another”.   “Worry is a lack of faith.”   “Everything will be okay in the end, and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”    I believed them all.  And they werturbane all true.

Now I have more time with my daughter.  More time to knit.  I’m much happier.

And it’s not the end.  It’s a new beginning.

Oh, and here’s a new hat.   I suppose I shouldn’t forget that.

Click Store or here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/252172058/hand-knit-baby-girl-hat-knit-turban-hand.

Thanks for reading.

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Mar 15

Spring coming? No….really? {punkinhead hand knit baby hats}

by kathi k

Yay, babies!    Always love it when I get new babies into the studio to photograph.  Of course, we always think they’ll sleep when they’re supposed to, and they don’t.  And of course, as soon as we take the diaper off, we almost always have a problem (I do a lot of laundry).   But, I still love holding these little creatures.pat125

I was so fortunate to have the cutest little girls come in recently.   This is the Autumn hat – reworked, as I wrote about before.  I love, love, love it now.

The two hats below are organic cotton, perfect lighter weight for spring and summer.   The pink/purple is actually the ‘Chip’ pattern, done in spring colors, I am so desperate to see some pink, lilac, colors of spring!

Because as I look out my window this sunny March day , I see the same snow we got in January, when a snowstorm shut down our city.  Which was just a few days after we had an ice storm that knocked out power for days.   Over Christmas.  And it has been cold, for months.  Really cold.  School’s closed cold.  The Great Lakes are almost completelywoz144 covered in ice cold.  Insane heating bills cold.

woz137 So no, we didn’t think spring would ever come.  But yesterday we actually had some melting with a temp in the 40s.  And the sun was out.  Bonus!    Who would ever be excited to see yucky, brown grass?  We would.   And are.

Someday spring will come.  And we’ll be able to open our windows.   See our grass.   Visit with neighbors that we haven’t seen in months.   And after that maybe we’ll even get to plant our gardens and get out our hammocks.  Really.  It could happen.

Please visit  http://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead1

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Sep 17

Lessons learned from Dory {hand knitted baby hats}

by kathi k
DSC_1775

“Starr”

We all love Dory from “Finding Nemo”, right?   The great Ellen Degeneres never fails to make us laugh – even in animated form.   Thinking of her speaking Whale – and doing it myself – never fails to crack me up.   I think it’s one of the funniest things ever.

So what did Dory teach me?  Besides how to speak Whale?  I use her line “Just keep swimming” a lot, especially at the studio, where life can just get overwhelmingly hectic.   And when things are just too much to handle – I ‘just keep swimming’ and somehow I’ll get through it all.

Well, that’s what I was thinking of the aqua colored hat right here.   This is actually the 3rd hat I made- in a row – trying to get the shape and size just right.  I try to come up with all of my own patterns, so it’s often trial and error before I get it right.   And when I finally got it – woo hoo!  I had to put down the needles for a couple of days to let my elbow and wrist recover.   I loved the idea of huge poms on the sides – I think it will be so cute for everyday – as well as professional portraits.   I’ve name it “Starr” – after my older sister – I don’t know why I picked this particular hat for the name.  It just makes me happy, and made me think of her.

DSC_1779

“Autumn” – new

Now….speaking of ‘swimming’ – I decided to remake the “Autumn” design to the left.  I wasn’t happy with the way the roll brim turned out on the original – and well…I just wanted to change it up.  So here is a new Autumn.   This yarn is the thickest I’ve ever seen – and I had to special order the needles for it.  So, this is a one of a kind (size: 0-3 months) – and will be available in other sizes by custom order, but it may take a couple of weeks.   I love the way the texture of the ribbing looks now.   It just felt right to redo it.  Kind of like Dory knew it felt right to go through the trench when Marlin wants to go around.

Sometimes you just need to go with your gut.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/94398367/hand-knit-baby-girl-hat-knit-newborn-0-3?

https://www.etsy.com/listing/162677127/hand-knit-baby-hat-with-pom-poms-knit?ref=listing-shop-header-2

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Sep 4

Can you miss what you never had? {hand knitted baby hats}

by kathi k

One of my greatest sadnesses is life is that I never met two of my older siblings.   David and Starr.   Both were born and passed long before I was even thought of – but I’ve often wondered what my life would have been like if I had those two as a guiding force.   I was lucky enough to have an older sister, though, and I’m so thankful.   I have 5 siblings in total – so I wasn’t lacking for sisters or brothers, but I still miss David and Starr.   Even though I never knew life with them.   I wonder what they would be like, funny like my older sister or artsy like my younger?   Would he be tall like my uncle and have my Grandpa’s great jaw line?  Or would she be petite like my mom and laugh just like her, too?

I wonder.
One of my favorite movies of all time is “Secrets and Lies”.  It’s a British film (I’m a huge fan of British cinema and tv – I long to be Dame Maggie Smith someday).  In this great work (well, I tDSC01229hink it’s great), an infertile couple is having a conversation about someone never knowing their father, and the wife says “You can’t miss what you never had”, but as soon as she says it, she realizes, as her husband does, that yes, you can.  They miss what they never had.  And I do, too.

So, to that point, one of my most popular hats is the one shown to the right – with a pom pom added.  I’ve sold more of these than any other (without the pom) but I now have a photo of it with a pom for added variety.  I’ve also done it in the gnome style, below.   On etsy – and previously on here somewhere, it’s listed as the “Seaside”.   I wasn’t feeling particularly imaginative that day (it’s the name of the yarn color!)   But now I think it should be named “David” in honor of the coolest older brother anyone could ever have had, as I’m sure he would have been.

DSC01227

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May 17

Tis the Season for Baby Showers! Hand Knitted baby hats – organic cotton

by kathi k

Ahhh….the longest winter ever finally seems to be over!   The  snow 2 weeks ago is becoming a distant memory, and we are finally able to enjoy spring.  Really enjoy a Real Spring – with mid 70’s and sun and breeze.   I was afraid we would go from being too cold to too hot, wchiphich has happened so many times before.

But, it’s been gorgeous out – time to plant our vegetables, split our perennials, and relish in the sunshine that has eluded us all winter.

It’s also time for baby showers!   People have babies all year round, but why does it seem like there are so many more showers in the summer months?   Perhaps because it’s so nice to have them outside, travel is easy, people are on vacation.   I don’t know – but it’s so exciting to see those growing bellies knowing that soon a little one will be joining our crazy, mixed up world.   Full of hope and promise and new life.

Ruby, pink with white flower

Ruby, pink with white flower

Life has been incredibly busy for me – the end of the school year always is, so I’m reposting a few of my favorite hats.   All are available at my store: http://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead1 or use the Store link at the right.   Most hats available are for newborns to 3 months, but custom sizing is always available.   The Chip and Ruby shown are from 100% organic cotton.   The Bobby, shown, is from a super soft acrylic – and is actually modeled by the baby whose mother received it as a gift at her shower!

And as always, any questions, just ask.  I’m here.   Busy, but here!

Happy Spring!222592_10151042068056157_1078814403_n

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Mar 18

Gotta love those babies!

by kathi k

My daughter is 13.  She doesn’t sit on my lap any more.   She doesn’t let me cover her in kisses any more.   And she certainly doesn’t let me hold her and gaze adoringly at her any more.

That’s why I’m lucky I get to photograph babies.   Babies of all sizes.   The sleeping ones are super cute, of course, and I could stare at them all day.   And the 7 month olds that smile those big toothless grins are so fun (and laugh at all my stupid jokes.)   And the toddlers?  Hilarious.  Like the 2 1/2 year old I had the other day that was full of questions and comments and just cracked me up the whole time.   She was a delight and it made me miss my little girl a bit.   But, my teenager is a delight as well.   Every day she still brings me joy and makes m554959_10151537573597604_30023862_ne smile.   I miss her being little, but I love watching her grow and change, and she’s still more and more fun every day.

This little guy here was just under 3 weeks old and so precious I just wanted to hold him the whole time.  He wasn’t very happy at first, and certainly didn’t enjoy being moved around while he was trying to sleep, but he settled down long enough for us to get some beautiful photographs.  That’s why they call me the ‘Baby Whisperer’ I guess.

So I don’t have a baby any more.  And I’m not going to have another baby.   But I do get to hold and play and make them laugh at work.  That’s not a bad deal at all.

Hat available at http://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead1.

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Mar 8

Hand knitted baby boy hats – hand dyed cotton – gnome style

by kathi k

green gnome

It’s early, too early.   Not even done with my 1st cup of coffee, early, but I wanted to get these posted before my day begins.  Otherwise they end up on my ‘To Do’ list, and if you saw my ‘To Do’ list, you’d realize it doesn’t need anything else!   Of course, I wouldn’t be above putting it on my list this morning, just so I could cross it off.   We all do that sometimes, right?

So, I am working on a knitting project for church, but I had to set it aside to make the green gnome hat shown here.   I was at a photography seminar and saw some images with a gnome style hat and immediately wanted to make one for that purpose.   If it doesn’t sell before Tuesdenimday, I’ll try it out on the newborn boy I have coming in for a session next week.  If it does sell, then I guess I’ll be making another one!

The blue hat is a just a cute experiment with this new hand dyed yarn I have.  It’s made in the same style as the “Chip”, but shown without the pom.   I think the shades of blue are gorgeous!   And it’s made of cotton, to be light enough for spring time, but still chunky enough to have great texture.   A pom can always be added by request.  :)Everything is avaailable at: https://www.etsy.com/shop/punkinhead1.

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Feb 15

I found it! Soft, hand knit gnome super soft hat.

by kathi k

I have been neglecting my Gratitude List that I was so good about doing every day.  I’ve slacked – gotten busy- lame excuse.   But I just found the label to the skein of yarn I used to make this gnome hat DSC00066 (2), which I absolutely adore.  I love the hat, I love the yarn.   I’ve been wanting to do more with this yarn, but I could not remember what kind it was.   The label was not in my knitting bag, or my other bag, or my other stash, or in another bag…..let’s just say, I need a bigger place to store all my stuff.
Anyway, the itchy back I have been cursed with since I had shingles when I was 17, forced me to do a down on my knees, under the couch search for my back scratcher.  And, what do I see right next to it?  THE label!   I am very happy, indeed!  I can’t wait to get some more.  Yay!

mit144So, getting to the point, the gratitude list is back on!    And you know, the funny thing is, when I made the list of 5 things, I forgot ‘finding the label’.  That became # 6.   🙂   It seemed like a stressful day, but I feel better already.   The Gratitude List really works.   Maybe I can actually do # 3 and sleep in tomorrow.   Fingers crossed.

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Jan 24

Time

by kathi k

Is going by just too darn fast.  Really.  My sweet, cuddly, curly haired toddler has turned into this beautiful,  tall, wavy haired teenager overnight, I swear.

Today we are about to go to someplace that holds precious memories for our family.  Especially for my husband and I, remembering how our little girl used to look in awe at the wonders she saw.  Sheer delight on her face.

It will be different today, because now she’s ‘grown up’, but we are still going to cherish each memory.  Because in just a short time, she really will be grown up.  And I will be proud of the woman she becomes, sure.  But I’ll always miss my little girl.

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Jan 12

It’s time for something new….hand knitted cotton baby/newborn hats

by kathi k

Change can be a good thing.  As much as I hate to face it sometimes.  I have some big changes coming up, and I’m actually beginning to realize that it’s not going to be as bad as I thought it might be.   Change makes us rethink things.   Embrace new ideas.   Prioritize.   Become more efficient.   And that’s what will happen.   If you don’t have a choice in a situation, you can at least choose how you face the situation.  So, I’m choosing to face it head on and with a positive attitude.   Remind me of that later when I start to panic again, will you?

Anyway, while pondering everything that’s going on, I made a new hat with some awesome yarn that a friend gave to me.  It’s hand dyed from Peru by a non profit organization, Manos del Uruguay, that helps women in need.   Done in large kettles to create a subtle striated effect, the yarn is soft and has lovely shades of soft green and ivory.   Available with or without the pom pon here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/120277033/hand-knit-baby-hat-hand-dyed-yarnDSC00269

I’m also trying to get caught up on etsy and other things on my ‘to do’ list.   Like posting another hat I made a while ago, it’s a larger size of this lavender cutie, which would be good for a 6-12 month baby, with some stretch for growth.   Available here: https://www.etsy.com/listing/114437666/lavender-hand-knit-baby-girl-hat-cotton

lilac

So now onto more things on my list.   There’s always something, isn’t there?

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