This is a curiously silly time of the year in upper North America. The weather gnomes are outside in force stirring up the winds, playing soccer with hail the size of golf balls and pelting us with rain. My house is a chilly little pile of rooms.
And even though a fine little switch lives on the wall, I’m not touching it! Like many others (and twitter is the farcical motherlode of comments on this topic), nobody wants to turn on the heat One Second before it’s necessary.
It’s a game we play every year, and even as I type this, I’m wearing a big fuzzy robe with this
tuque on my head.
At the risk of looking a little like crazy uncle ernie, I, like many around the country are Wearing Their Hats Inside.
The little chapaeu you see above is not my favorite or even my prettiest. It is what I grabbed when I was putting on my black rain parka when the hallway window was being battered by tree branches and I was on my way to ye olde day job one morning past. It’s barely left my head since.
It’s the headwear version of tighty whities: won’t blow off, keeps it warm and under control. I ask you: WHO needs their hair stuck in their lipgloss?
I made this hat a few years ago as what I call a pocket stuffer — it’s small enough to fit in the parka pocket and travel, just your basic watch cap that multitudes of working class folks have been using for centuries.
You can wear it cuffed (hello, sailor) or flat out as a semi-slouch (hello, rockstar).
It’s been with me the last few days of really windy (45-60 mph winds) times in Chicago; went with me yesterday to shoot the aftermath of the tornado in Peotone where the door of my car was almost ripped off when I opened it, but my cap remained solid on my head.
But is it fashion?
Why shouldn’t one look good in the blowback of a tornado?
Eddie Bauer Black Rain Parka: check. Doc Martens Greasys: check. Anne et Valentin Titanium Glasses: check. Hand-knit Socks: check.
Black watchcap:
Check…
Just walking (actually kind of shuffling since I was accidently tackled during a photoshoot at a football game last Friday and have a big bl&bu softball-sized goober on my left shin) through the building back to where my car was parked I saw that I was not alone in my head gear. This is a shot of a window in the Zara store in the mall. I love the red vest.
Here’s another ubiquitous look – the brimmed watchcap, this one with a $$$ pricetag, but that you can get for $ at the Dolla Store down the street. Everybody in my neighborhood wears this, in black of course, forward, backwards or sideways, infant to adult, it’s now a fashion icon of Chicago windanistas.
But I digress…
What’s missing in my look? A bag for the season, a bag to replace my rattitious, taupe pleather suitcase of a bag that’s really seen better days.
And lucky moi, Macy’s, the last building I pass on my way to my car, was having a big hand bag sale!
Cheers, Tignanello!
Smaller, shiny, and so very now…
I am heading to the windy city next week–looks like I will need a good hat! I hope to visit the button store you mentioned this summer…
You inspire me to rethink my wardrobe.
Last week, we were marveling at our good fortune at having unseasonably fabulous weather through October! This week, on October’s last gasp – well, the weather blows. Doors, trees, my patio chair onto its side. Feh. But you’re weathering it in style, my knittah.
That wind was nuts! We got tornado sirens yesterday morning, too. And it’s not letting up today, either! Gonna have to wrap my scarf extra-tight today.
Ooh, nice bag!
I wear hats and cowls and mitts inside the house all the time, I think it is a fashion whose time has come again. Cashmere nightcaps for all!
Kathleen
Yum! Cashmere hugging my head! Sounds glorious!
I remember seeing something on a blog a few weeks ago where there was a rather simple knit hat for over $200. I figured at that price it should be made of liquid gold and cause you to walk in a cloud of butterflies.
Perhaps it sang sweet nothings in your ears on the wearing…
Methinks it was probably made out of cashmere or quivet or mink!
Here’s a version of my little hat above going for $158.00
http://bit.ly/bxWOwU
There’s lots there topping out around 275.
I am a 26 year old Seattlite who has just stumbled back into the joys of knitting. It has been years since I last knitted a hat for home economics in high school, and though I have a long way to go, the basic techniques came back to me like riding a bike.
In my online searches for needle wisdom and guidance, I came across Chic Knits and spent over an hour reading your past blogs. I must say, your blog is very well written, and has further instilled my desire to advance my knitting education, despite the anticipated failures and hardships ahead. Your designs are gorgeous, and the thought that someday years from now I might be able to make something as beautiful of my own design, is truly exciting.
So thank you. I have bookmarked your website, and you have gained another follower!
Sincerely,
Kristen Barnhart
Hat in the house? You betcha! Nightcaps really work.