Caroline's Spring Toque

I was not blessed with daughters but rather sons. I get to make things adorned with pirate flags, dinosaurs, space, trains, trucks, and things that fly. Knitting or sewing something pink and frilly is just not something I do very often, since I myself don't typically wear pink or frills. I am not complaining, mind you - not one iota - and I would not trade my wonderful boys for anything in the world. I happen to love pirate flags, dinosaurs, space, trains, trucks, and things that fly. But every now and then , I wonder what life would be like with a daughter running around. Well, I caught a glimpse of the possibilities this past week.

Caroline, one of the little girls in DS1's preschool class, turned 5 years old last week and invited her friends over to her house for a birthday party after school. The party invitation said 'no gifts please' (and I definitely understand not needing/wanting anymore toys around) but every kid needs presents at their birthday party so I sat down to think of what I could make rather quickly that Caroline might like. She is always wearing pink and purple, sparkly, frilly little outfits and from what I hear she loves playing dress up, so I thought a hat might be in order. But, Spring is springing and its getting to be too warm for a stocking cap and I wanted this gift to be something she could wear before next winter. Lace seemed in order so I came up with this cute little knitted lace toque embellished with a little bit of fun fir.

What is so cool about this hat is that I came up with the pattern on my own. Most of my stuff is based on other people's designs that I modify to fit my own style or material preferences. This is the first time I have flown without a net, as it were. Now, this is a very easy stitch pattern and hats are not all that difficult; but, heck, I didn't even right the pattern down (very unlike me), I just knitted. I really like how it turned out and I will definitely be making a few more of these to put up for sale. In honor of little Caroline's inspiration, I have named the hat pattern after her. I hope she enjoys wearing it as much as I enjoyed knitting it and I hope I'll get a chance to see her wear it sometime. Happy Birthday, Caroline!