Red pointed hats

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My social media bubble has been full of red pointy hats for the last few weeks. Other people claim they’ve seen nothing about them.

Thousands of years ago, slaves were given a red hat when they were freed. Versions of the Phrygian hat, pileus or liberty cap have been worn during various times since then. In 1979 I found an engraving from the 1790s which I used to illustrate an A level needlework essay. The people caricatured were wearing red hats and a thin red ribbon around their necks.

The same characters who were offended by pink hats with cat ears a few years ago are complaining about red pointy hats now. Apparently the hats shouldn’t be red. Allegedly they’re just a protest uniform and they’re not enough practical effort. Money raised from knitting pattern sales has been donated to families affected by immigration raids.

Blue Monday

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Glittery crescent on blue paper

PVA glue around the edge of a jar lid will print a nice circle on a piece of paper. Add more glue for more visible parts of the moon. Sprinkle glitter before the circle dries. Add a few paint and/or crayon clouds to the sky.

Picture of waxing crescent moon
Crescent moon picture from above
Glitter shining in the sun

End of year

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A fabric tree with a linocut card and two knitted geese

I printed a midwinter card but didn’t send many copies out into the world. Here it is with an appliqué tree from a few decades ago. The knitted geese are made of aran yarn, too thick but the thinner yarns weren’t available in the colours I wanted at the time.

Cwrs Haf

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A twisting pattern, with errors

We’re in Aberystwyth, for a month of intensive Welsh grammar. There are verb patterns to remember. That’s quite straightforward, except there are some patterns that wander off in different directions. I’m reminded of School for Scoundrels, where it’s recommended to interrupt any knowledgeable but dull explanation with “Oh, but only in the south…”.