Hats for Nick
Unfortunately, my friend Nick has just begun chemo treatment and will soon start losing his hair. Of course, as a knitter, I immediately offered to make him a hat. When asked what colors he'd like, he suggested either dark green or burgundy. I picked out some Cashmerino Aran in both colors, and the combo naturally prompted the yarn store owner to ask if I was getting started on a Christmas project -- so I guess I'll forget any plans I had for adding a stripe of green to the burgundy hat or vice versa.
Later Nick remembered a hat which appeared in the short-lived SciFi Channel series, Firefly. In one episode, the tough guy character named Jayne Cobb receives a package from his mom containing a handmade wool cap complete with a big pom-pom and ear flaps. Now no serious fan of the show with a knitter in his life can possibly do without a hat just like this for his very own -- so I also picked up some Lamb's Pride in yellow (Sunburst), orange (Rust), and red (Spice). I had wanted to use something a little bit lower maintenance, but it's amazing how difficult it is find those three colors in the same type of yarn. Hopefully, he won't mind taking a little extra care with a hat this cunning.