It is a beautiful clear day with low humidity, very similar weather to that on another September 11 morning some years ago.
I paused a bit after typing that sentence. Perhaps some of you might also pause a bit after reading it.
I'll now move on. September 12 is my birthday. This is, according to the Blogger counter, my 200th post. I thought it might be nice to mark these dual milestones by offering something to you kind folks who've visited here over the years.
This will be my first give away. I have crocheted a hat just for this occasion.
The hat is a sort of exaggerated beret style, and is about 11 inches at this widest diameter. I used a selection of blue or blue/green colors and most of the yarns are DK weight wool, with the exception of some soft Debbie Bliss Cashmerino and some wispy Rowan Kidsilk.
I've taken several photos so that you will be able to get some idea of what the hat is like.
The following photo shows the deep edging band that allows the hat to stay on one's head. I also included some of the contributing yarns in this photo so you can see more of what the shades are like.
I made the hat yesterday during that marathon tennis match between victorious Andy and previously victorious Novak. My television is in failing health, and so I followed the US Open finals via the US Tennis Association's web site. The picture was jumpy, but it still gave me some sense of what those two excellent players went through on a very, very windy and then chilly afternoon and evening.
Oh, back to the give away. If you would like a chance to have this hat warming your noggin this winter, please do leave me a comment by Friday, September 14. I will draw a winner's name on September 15.
Meanwhile, I will now return to yet another lace knitting project.
So far I am truly enjoying having an entire week off from the shop. It's grand to make up each day as I please.
Once again, many thanks to you all for your visits.
Hope you have a wonderful birthday tomorrow and many congratulations on your 200th post - heres to the next 200!!
ReplyDeleteI would love to be entered into your super giveaway - I live in the UK where such a warm hat would come in super handy!
Helenxx
Dear Frances I wish for you a very Happy Birthday and the very best health and happiness for the year to come. I enjoy reading your adventures especially the art galleries and the gardens.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday! It's always a joy to stroll around Manhattan with you as a virtual guide pointing out the unexpected.
ReplyDeleteThere are signs that chilly days are just round the corner - we'll need warm hats and scarves xx
Celia
Have a very happy Birthday, dear Frances.
ReplyDeleteI love your lacy knit.
A very pretty hat to grace a suitable head. Your are quite an artist with our needles, aren't you.
ReplyDeleteI hope you will continue to enjoy your off-duty days.
And a very happy Birthday to you too.
It is always lovely to hear from you Frances. I wish you a very happy birthday and hope the sun shines for you. I am particularly excited about your giveaway and I would love to own a Frances creation... they are "my" colours also. Look forward to your next post x
ReplyDeleteHello Frances:
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday and many happy returns to you!
Congratulations on achieving your 200th post. That is no mean feat in the world of blogging where, in our view, bloggers wither on the blogvine long before anything like that total is reached.
And, what a whizz you are with the needles. the hat looks such fun and, with winters where temperatures are regularly -15C, it could come in very handy indeed.
As you say, days which are just blank pages waiting to be written upon are such bliss. Enjoy!!
Happy Birthday tomorrow!
ReplyDeleteand congratulations on your 200th post --quite an achievement when so many blogs fall by the wayside.
What a splendid hat and such beautiful colors!
I was in lower Manhattan yesterday (Monday) and thought how unbowed we are and how well we have recovered from the shock of 9/11 --yes, how exactly like that other Tuesday this morning was. So sad.
Anyway do hope your week continues wonderfully productive. See you very soon.
Happy Birthday Frances! I hope you have a delightful day for celebrating another milestone.
ReplyDeleteMy goodness, what a wonderful looking hat! You are so very talented, in so many ways.
Congratulation, also, on 200 posts!
Wishing you a very Happy Birthday, dear Frances! I hope you enjoy your special day and all those nice free days around. Bravo for 200 posts and thanks for your nice blog and its pictures, I always enjoy reading you. With my best wishes, bayou.
ReplyDeletesending wishes for a wonderfully happy birthday! congratulations on 200 posts as well. the hat is charming, love the blue shades.
ReplyDeletep.s. i did pause too.
ReplyDeleteHave a very happy birthday!
ReplyDeleteHappy birthday, Frances. It's amazing isn't it how the words tumble out of us. 200 blogs! When did you start. I'm probably not far behind.
ReplyDeleteGive my love to Kitty, should you be seeing her.
Happy birthday to you, dear Frances - penblwydd hapus!
ReplyDeleteNow, having had the privilege of seeing one of your berets in real life, I know they are very beautiful and that the lucky winner will be very fortunate indeed.
I paused yesterday too.
Cx
Wishing you a very happy birthday Frances. There is a chill in the air here in the UK.
ReplyDeleteThe hat you've knitted is gorgeous, Frances. I am already envying the lucky giveaway recipient.. May I please be entered in the drawing?
ReplyDeleteAnd a very happy birthday to you. May you have many wonderful memories of the day.
Regarding the marking of 9/11 -- in our little city/town, there must have been at least 3,000 US flags, up and down the streets, tucked into planter boxes and parking strips, under the trees. It was a touching and beautiful sight on a beautiful sunny day.
I missed the day (my grandmother's birthday too) but would like to wish you a belated Happy Birthday and congratulations on your 200th blog post.
ReplyDeleteHappy Birthday, Frances! And well done on 200 posts!! I always enjoy reading them :) Please put my name in the draw for that sweet knitted hat...it is already getting chilly now over here in the UK! I hope you have a happy week.
ReplyDeleteHelen x
Frances, it is so lovely to catch up with you. I have missed my blogging time, and hopefully with the season quietening down I will be able to be a more frequent visitor again. I think we all pause for 11th September.....
ReplyDeleteMany Happy returns on your birthday, we too watched the tennis here, well some of it, I did have to reluctantly give in and go to bed. I always find it amazing to watch sport and see a sunny afternoon on New York whilst we are sat with the lamps on and a starry dark night outside. A fabulous result anyway, it is lovely to see Andy Murray finally achieving his dreams, and what a struggle and hard slope he has had to climb to reach this giddy height, just shows what grit determination can achieve, to have that confidence.
Dear Frances,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on your birthday! I hope you had a lovely day?!!
Your hat and new scarf look lovely.
Wish you a happy weekend!
Madelief x
Hey Frances, so nice to see another post. I'm here inNew York for a month and enjoy seeing the city through a locals eyes........
ReplyDeleteI hope you enjoyed your birthday and congrats on 200 blog posts....
Your beret is lovely, great colours and no doubt will be wonderfully warm in Winter. As I am heading home to Summer weather I won't take part in the giveaway.....
It's nice that the weather has cooled down, it's making sight seeing much more enjoyable.
Have a great weekend,
CLaire :}
i'm late wishing you a happy birthday, but here goes, hope you had a happy one!
ReplyDeletemy birthday was sept 11, until that day some years ago. for many years it was never MY birthday, it was "that" day. it's only this year that i feel the towers aren't all over in tv and newspapers and i feel it's my day again.
congrats on 200th!
i'm late wishing you a happy birthday, but here goes, hope you had a happy one!
ReplyDeletemy birthday was sept 11, until that day some years ago. for many years it was never MY birthday, it was "that" day. it's only this year that i feel the towers aren't all over in tv and newspapers and i feel it's my day again.
congrats on 200th!
A belated birthday wish to you.
ReplyDeleteYour hat is a beautiful creation.
Love hearing about your New York and also my granddaughter's...
Happy Birthday, Frances! And well done on 200 posts!! I always enjoy reading them :) Please put my name in the draw for that sweet knitted hat...it is already getting chilly now over here in the UK! I hope you have a happy week. Helen x
ReplyDelete