Perhaps some of you are participating in the Women’s Marches being held around the country this weekend.  If so, you might be wondering just what to wear.  Many women will be sporting pink knit hats, otherwise known as “pussy hats.”  I’m blushing a little just writing that out–which may be why it took me so long to track down the pattern and get started on a hat for myself.

I’d seen a few women in my circles posting photos of the hats and yesterday with a holiday in front of me I decided to knit one for myself to wear in Oakland this weekend. And maybe for my two daughters who will be marching down much colder streets in Boston and Manhattan.  I looked up a few patterns both at the official Pussy Hat Project site and on the knitting site Ravelry and called around to see what yarn shops in my area were open.

Turned out the closest ones were pretty much sold out of pink worsted or bulky weight (thicker, therefore faster to knit) yarn.  But a yarn shop in a further out suburb said they had plenty so I drove out to find this table filled with beautiful yarns in shades of fuschia, rose, watermelon, strawberry, blush and  burgundy.  A half-dozen women were fingering the wool and cotton skeins as they shopped for materials to make their own Pussy Hats and happily chatted about where they would be marching.   Made me look forward to spending time with the other women (and men) at the march on Saturday.

I sent some images to my daughters who said they preferred a solid dark pink worsted weight yarn as did a young activist knitter friend I was shopping for. Fortunately, the store had just restocked this particular wool/mohair blend. I selected a subtly variegated yarn magenta bulky-weight hand-dyed wool for myself, figuring if I really plow through two hats early in the week I’ll need an especially fast-knit yarn to have mine ready in time. By the end of the day I had completed the simple rectangle necessary to make the hat.  Thinking some of you marching knitters out there might want to create one too, here are a few notes to help you along the way.

I’m an experienced, if infrequent, knitter but the pattern really is simple enough for a beginner.  It’s basically a seventeen inch rectangle with four inches of ribbing on each end that is then stitched together.  When worn the middle of the top collapses and the pointy ends look like kitty cat ears.  I knit the worsted weight on a size 8 needle and it took about an hour to do the first four inches of ribbing, another two+ to knit the stockingnette portion of the hat, and a fourth hour to knit the last four inches of ribbing on the other side and sew up the hat.  So, give or take, a four hour project.

It was pleasant to work on as the sun went down in the living room while listening to a podcast–Patty Smith talking with Alec Baldwin on “Here’s The Thing”–and then later watching the sobering documentary “13th” for MLK Day.  It would be even more pleasant to do it over the course of a few days so start now if you can.  Happy Protest Knitting!

1. To revisit the past.  When I was 21 I spent a summer in D.C. working as an intern at the State Department and living near Dupont Circle. Then it was an area in transition, today it’s an upscale neighborhood just blocks from where we were staying. While my husband attended some business meetings, I spent a day revisiting old haunts and recalling what it was like to be young and naive in a big city.  Here are two of the places that were revelations then and now–

Kramer Books was one of the first independent bookstores I ever lived near and I loved prowling the aisles for new and used books.  I also tasted my first rum raisin ice cream back in the Afterwords Cafe—exotic stuff for this farm girl.

 The Phillips Collection was just around the corner and it was the perfect introduction to someone unfamiliar with museums and art collections.  I’ve since visited many bigger, splashier museums, but this small gem feels like “my” museum. On the day I revisited last month a kind stranger gave me one of his free guest passes so I could pop into the sumptuous Braque exhibit a day early—confirming that the Phillips Collection and its patrons are as exceptional as I remember.

 2. To stay flexible. Invariably things go wrong on a trip. No matter how much I plan in advance or how experienced I am at packing, something will go awry. Thank goodness. Some of my best memories come from missteps or surprises along the way. I’ve learned to plan less and roll with the mood/weather/company of the day more.

 3. To experience something familiar in an unfamiliar setting. Here I am doing my best Esther Williams impression–in the rain!

4. To discover new-to-me things. Like the exquisite mosaics at the Cathedral of St. Matthew the Apostle (where JFK’s funeral was held.)

 Or the peaceful decor at Zaytinya (try the Baklava soda if you go.)

 Or the  charming townhouse setting for Looped Yarn Works (new needlework project = favorite souvenir.)

And several museums like the Newseum (here I am checking out the news from home.)

And the National Portrait Gallery (the video screens in my native Idaho–in this large work by Nam June Paik–show bags of potatoes.)

5. To connect the dots. When I’m on the road I’m better able to spot the meaningful patterns in my life and the unexpected juxtapositions elsewhere. Like the shot of these everyday Syrians under siege as I sipped my herbal tea in preparation for another day of peace and (relative) prosperity.

There’s nothing like Getting Away from It All to put It All in perspective. Don’t you think?

The night before our wedding, my oh-so-chic Aunt Carole and Uncle Curtis gave us an elegant bud vase made by the Stueben Glass company. Recognizing that we didn’t have a clue about fine art glass, they let us know that this little vase was something of value. That it might be an heirloom someday. We took note and carefully packed the vase away for the next 32 years. Since this last move, however, I’ve put it where I can easily see and use it. Right now it’s sitting on top of my piano, holding a red gerbera daisy that we brought home from a performance of the AXIS Dance Company last weekend. Every time I look at it, I’m delighted by the little bubble in its base and regret that I haven’t used it more often.  What was I saving it for?  A tea party with the queen? So far no royal invitations have been extended. But now that the vase is out of its protective wrapping, I’m definitely ready should her royal highness decide to drop by.  Are there things you’re saving for the perfect time and place that should become part of your everyday world?

Here are a few other useful and beautiful things I enjoyed this week:

1. As the oldest of nine children, I can verify that families are messy. But as this essay shows, knowing the good and the bad in our family’s stories can help support and sustain us.

2. Last year I had two opportunities to be the Mother of the Bride. Which made me ever so curious about what Barbara Kingsolver had to say about her recent turn as a MOB.

3. After five years, I’m still mourning the demise of my local stationary store. Now I have to rely on the internet for unusual, artful products like this design notebook.

4. Speaking of design, here’s a lovely little tale by Christopher Neimann about making an app. The take away quote for me: “Simplicity is not about making something without ornament, but rather about making something very complex, then slicing elements away, until you reveal the very essence.”

5. I’m intrigued by the knit fungi produced by American artist Leigh Martin for her 52 Fungi project. See a few samples at her web site or collected at The Jealous Curator. Just another example of how different, and therefore delightful, we all are.

Happy Weekend!

Studies show that certain design elements like “golden triangle” proportions (about 5 x 8), fractal patterns and verdant green colors can trigger the part of the cerebellum that governs hand movement. “Instinctively, we reach out for attractive things; beauty literally moves us,” says author Lance Hosey.

Last weekend while in Manhattan to celebrate my daughter’s 2^nd wedding reception, I definitely felt the urge to reach out and touch (as well as procure) some good design. Like the beautiful flowers at the NYC Flower Market, particularly the lavender and roses at Dutch Flower Line.

Followed by this delicious cup of hot chocolate stamped with the signature bear paw of the Café Gitane.

I left wanting a step-down library outfitted like this one at The Nolitan Hotel.

Perhaps augmented with light fixtures like these clever bookish ones at McNally Jackson.

Perfect for a place to read some delicious novels, preferably while consuming some artful chocolates from MariBelle.

Or maybe knitting up some wonderful yarn from Purl.

Here the lovely Allison from Purl winds a skein of worsted weight wool–Brooklyn Tweed’s Shelter in the color Snowbound–for a scarf project.

I’ve already begun knitting the Snowbound yarn in a pleasing, fractal-like herringbone pattern. Because the only thing better than seeing good design is creating good design.