Making Really Warm Knits

A couple of years ago, some Canadian knitters lamented that Ravelry posted so few hats and mittens that were warm enough to wear in Canada. Probably, those of you in the colder parts of the world have found that  you don’t wear knitted mittens during January. The wind blows through your fingers; it’s freezing. Folks around here, if they’re wearing a knit hat, usually wear it under a down hoodie.

When I moved to upstate New York from San Diego, my mom would say, everyday during the winter, “I just wish you’d dress in layers.” Even after 5 years.

So that’s the way. Build layers into your knitted goods, variations of double-lined stuff.

Hats:

Fair Isle Knitting (the strands of yarn carried through the back trap warmth.)

Double Knitting. You’re knitting 2 layers at once.

Thrums. Knit in short bits of roving (wool before it’s spun into yarn. This will capture more heat than if it’s twisted).

Double-rolled Knitting. (hold wool while you’re knitting and weave it in as you would Fair Isle)

Lined Knit 2 hats that are attached at the bottom. For hats, you can knit one from the top down. When you’re finished, use the last row at the bottom as the first row for the second hat. Fold them into each other.

Also:

Try to use wool or alpaca (or wool- or alpaca- blend. Alpaaca is much warmer even than wool.

Super bulky wool works well, especially if it’s lightly spun so it can trap as much warm air as possible.

Hats (and such) on Trees

At Lila And Claudine’s

This weekend I received tons of hats from folks who hang at Lila and Claudine’s, a member of my knitting group, Holly, mittens from Sally, and cowl/hats from my mom. It’s just now getting cold here, so it was the perfect time to hang them on trees in the Twin Cities.

It was funny. Other times I’ve done this, I tried very hard to go out at night when nobody was around. At these locations people are always around, including police. I was slightly paranoid that people were laughing at me.  And that the police would stop me. Goofy. (I’m giving away hats. Is that against the law?)
Someone has mentioned that I might need a permit or permission from the city. Does anyone know about that? I’m planning to look into it.

Next week, I’ll be hanging items in Mahtomedi, nearer my own home, and anywhere you suggest we should place them. Thank you everyone for all the loving work you’ve done!

Chicago & Franklin

Nicollet & 22nd St.

Lila and Claudine’s

My very favorite knitting shop, Lila and Claudine’s, has graciously offered to give us space and yarn to make items for Hat Trees in the Twin Cities. How wonderful are they! Thank you so much, Kirsten and Polly!

Meet with other knitters and crocheters to make warm stuff on Saturdays, 10am – 12noon at

86 Mahtomedi Ave  St Paul, MN 55115
(651) 429-9551

Lila and Claudine — Polly and Kirsten’s grandmothers

If you’ve never visited their store, are you lucky! The first time you visit this store is an experience never forgotten! Fantastic, interesting, creative, kind, and hilarious people are there to meet you. Oh, and they have amazing yarns too! It’s a comfortable, inspiring place to play with your fiber arts.

Why The Hat Tree?

When I moved north to Minneapolis there were lots of people who were cold. Some lacked warm clothes, some need to use their money for food or medicine, some forgot their hats or scarves, some thought it would be warm that day (in January?), some had never lived in a cold place before and didn’t know how to dress.

Since I had tons of wool at home and 1/2 ton of hats and mittens my mom and I had made, I started to give them away on the street when I saw cold people. Then, for the RavOlympics I made hats and put them on a tree near my home. A kind person put a big, beautiful sign on the tree, saying “Thank U Hat Tree.” Every year since, I’ve put hats, scarves, cowls, and mittens on the tree. Other people have generously offered to make warm clothing for the tree.

The Hat Tree in 2012

Let’s make many Hat Trees in the Twin Cities. Everyone should be warm.