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Christmas Cap for Kids

I bought 8 skeins of Blue Heron Cotton Woven Ribbon four years ago for a sweater that was never to be. I remember taking the knitting book to the store, spending $100-plus promising myself this was going to be the pattern that would break through my “major knitting project” fears. Alas, I’ve tried that pattern several times and it just never worked. That said, I didn’t want to give the yarn away. It is so very pretty and different. Cotton ribbon is flat — just like it sounds. And stretchy.  Plus, this color lends its self to wonderful holiday projects.

Have any little ones in your life you want to spoil for Christmas? This hat knits up within a matter of a couple hours.

{Here is a great knitting tutorial for newbies.}

Christmas Cap for Kids

Details:

Yarn: 1 skein Blue Heron Cotton Woven Ribbon (or any ribbon or chunky yarn)

Needles: Size 11 circular needle, 16″ long

Other supplies: scissors, a stitch marker, tape measure, yarn needle

Directions:

Cast on 50 stitches on the circular needle. Join in the round, placing stitch marker. Work knit 2, purl 2 for 5″ to create hat brim. At the start of a new round, after your 5″ are complete, knit only for an additional 2″.  To begin decreasing for the crown:

R1: K5, k2tog

R2: Knit

R3: K4, k2tog

R4: Knit

R5: K3, k2tog

R6: Knit

R7: K2, k2tog

R8: Knit (you may need to go to double pointed needles at this point)

R9: K2tog

Cut yarn, leaving 12-inches. Use yarn needle to thread remaining stitches together. Pull tight and knot to secure. Weave in ends.

Voila! A quick, cute Christmas cap for a sweet wee one!

~K

Sunday I was in charge of Children’s Moment at church. The timely lesson was about giving thanks. I whipped up some Thanksgiving cards and we talked about the importance of being grateful. The kids went into the congregation and found someone to give a card to and then we worked on cards for their families in Sunday School.

I am a bit like Johnny Appleseed, but with correspondence. Johnny Stampyseed? Kelli Appleletter? Hmm… I like to spread it and make others write letters too. (My brother told me the other day he’s saved all the letters I’ve sent him since he left for college and there are more than 100. I’m a little crazy, I know.) The kids agreed — getting personal mail rocks.  They now know the secret too — to get mail, you’ve got to send some stationery love too. They were as excited as a group of little ones gets about a thinly veiled manners lesson.

I whipped up some music mixes this weekend too. Looking at this photo I just realized the Four Seasons song is a Vivaldi and it is Violin not Violent. Ha! Violin autmun, not violent autumn.

I think these might be my two very favorite things to receive:  handwritten notes and mixes of la musica.

Hope your Thanksgiving week is off to a great start!

~K

When I took my current job more than a year ago, a magazine in Phoenix featured the top 100 women in business. I sent each of them a letter, congratulating their achievements and introducing them to my new organization. Several replied favorably and relationships that have resulted from a letter-writing campaign have been serendipitous. (Go correspondence!)

One such friendship is my mentor, E. She recently turned 50, owns her own company and is wildly successful. We bonded over our first lunch when she told me her real love was travel — specifically to Africa. For her recent birthday, she asked friends and family to give to a local organization that will build a school and latrine in a village she visited in Niger.  She told me it wasn’t enough to just build the school because in this region, girls weren’t allowed to go to school when they were on their “moons” unless there was a latrine nearby. Otherwise they were kept at home and eventually fall so far behind the boys, their educations are handicapped. So, logically, E decided a latrine was essential to the well being of the girls in this village.

Amazing. For some reason, she’s taken me under her wing and invites me to fancy luncheons, introduces me to her friends and sends me books I must read for “my profession.” Her mother recently passed away and although I was more than 2 hours late to the funeral (poor communication and long story later), I could tell she was touched I’d come. I introduced myself to her siblings, said hello to a few of the familiar faces I’ve met during the last year and watched as this strong woman wrangled with grief. Even in mourning, she somehow seemed entirely put together.

Another woman, D, also recently reached out to help me learn some much needed nonprofit skills. A revolutionary in fundraising, she has a cleverness that impresses me. She’s spent several hours with me in the last month carefully explaining charts, formulas of sorts and methods of raising more money regardless of the economy. D is a Disney nut, and I mean nut. She’s got a year-long pass and she and her husband regularly drive to Anaheim to visit their favorite rodent. She wears Disney diamond earrings, has mouse ears on her car and will talk about the Magical Kingdom whenever appropriate.

As a thank you for her recent mentorship, I sewed up a mousy pouch. I’ve yet to figure out what I can do to thank E, but I’m working on it.

Both of these relatively new friendships have reminded me of the importance of patience. These women are so very patient with me and truly want me to become stronger, smarter and better. They are willing to put in the time necessary to teach me skills that I need to be all those things. I’ve truly enjoyed the time I’ve spent with girls I’ve mentored and frankly it is so luxurious to be on the receiving end at this stage in life.

Brava to strong women who make time to help others!

~K

My first custom order completed. Kate Spade, watch out. (ha!)

~K