The Things We Knit For Love

I was an only child for ten years, and then my brother came along as a sweet, sweet surprise.  Well, surprise isn’t even the word to describe it.  My parents were told from many doctors that they would never be able to have children.  And then I was born.   And then ten years later my brother was born.  Surprise, indeed.

We have always had such a close connection.  Sometimes I have felt more like a mom than a sister.  It must have been felt both directions because after Timothy and I first got married, David stayed at our house often and would say that we were like his “other parents.”  But as we both get older, my brother and I are developing more of a brother/sister friendship.  And I love that little giant boy fiercely.

The other day David called me after he got out of school and asked if he could take me to a late lunch.  No special occasion, he just wanted to treat me.  He’s really learned from my Dad (and now Timothy!) and is going to make someone the best husband some day.  He is thoughtful, kind, and loves to spoil people.  Check, check, and check!  Ha!

We had a great time, and D wore his hat that I had knit him for Christmas.  He had been asking for one for a long time and I was so happy to give it to him!  Sources say that after Christmas he didn’t take it off for like a week – he even slept in it!  Niiiiiiice.

I would highly recommend this hat pattern.  If you’re interested, you can find the pattern and details on my Ravelry page.

It was my second attempt of a hat for him – the first one was so unfortunate.  Timothy said it looked like a flowerpot.  Ouch.  Sadly, or not so sadly, I have no pictures of that gorgeous creation for you.

Well, this week I received another request from my favorite fourteen-year-old:

Umm, yeah.  So this is actually going to happen.  I don’t understand it.  I don’t know if I like it.  I don’t know how D talked our mother into allowing him to have one.  But I’m going to do it.  Ha!  I found this Garter Stitch Beard pattern  that looks like it may work.  It’s just a beard and you choose your own hat pattern.

Lovely.  I’m thinking about making the beard detachable so the hat is wearable when you’re not in beard mode.  Buttons were my first choice, but I think cute little buttons may take away from the “manliness” of the hat.  Now I’m thinking hook and eye closures?  We’ll see.  I’m taking him today after school to go pick out yarn for it.  You know, we need to find a beard color to match his hair.  Ha!

When Timothy found out about it, he begged me to make one for him and his brother in college.  Say whaaaaaa?!  Timothy says they’re all the rage and he’s seen several people with one.  Again, whaaaaa?!

Is this a trend I missed?  Are you going to think less of me for knitting a bearded hat?  What if it explodes and becomes a Pinterest sensation and I become known as the beard lady?  (That is definitely sarcasm.  Pinterest is not ready for a bearded hat.)  Have any of you ever seen anyone wear one?  Would you knit one?  Help a girl out here.

~Whitney