“Do you ever take commissions?” my librarian friend asked.
I cringed inwardly. It can be an awkward question to answer and I gave my standard reply,”Yes, but I have rules.”
Her raised eyebrows were a sort of encouragement to go on, so I explained, “I won’t accept payment and you have to live with my timeline. I could finish it in a week, a year or never. I love to knit but don’t like pressure to perform. I want to knit a project because I love it. What did you have in mind?”
My friend had been on last year’s Printz committee. What she wanted was a pussy hat with the word “Fury” on it, in celebration of Damsel by Elana K. Arnold.
“Let me think and look around,” I said.
I found a free pattern – Hamilton Pussyhat by on Ravelry. – that captured the beauty of the cover.
During the Rose City Yarn Crawl, I made it my mission to find some yarn that would capture the colors of the book and work with the pattern. I did.
I took the peace of Spring Break to adapt the pattern, replacing “Rise Up” with “Fury” and began knitting. I learned to knit a Latvian braid and, slowly, but surely, the hat took shape.
It is now finished and blocking. I’ll give it to my friend when I see her at our next book club meeting in two weeks, unless I see her at the library first. I hope it is a good fit.
WOW! That hat is awesome. I love Damsel, too, just featured it in my monthly YA vlog. I love the symbolism of Sorrow turned to Fury. (Man, I wish everyone would read that book!) Thanks for posting this.
I know!!! It was such an amazing book.
Wow, you did a great job. I love that you have guidelines so that you do not feel pressured!
The hat looks amazing so far! Learning the Latvian braid for this project has to make it fun. Enjoy! Thanks for sharing!
Amazing. I am sure your friend’s friend will love the hat.
Wise rules, lovely creation, welcome book recommendation — this slice is thrice a winner as far as I’m concerned.
I like it! The colours are great. I love your rules too. I’ve not read thus book, but will add it to my (ever growing never shrinking) list.
😊
Sent from Diane’s iPhone
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