I remember the very first time I saw this hat live-and-in-person.  I have admired this pattern for a very long time.  But there was no yarn in my stash calling its name.  And then…someone…donated…one…at…a…Stitches…event.  It was varying shades of pink.  And it was small.  Child size.  

The children's hats are always the hardest, because no little ones should have to deal with cancer.  Well, none of us should have to deal with cancer, but certainly not the littlest ones.  As we put this hat into the Stitches donation bag, we all thought "how lucky will be the little girl who gets this hat."  

I missed meeting the Bellsisters at Stitches West, 2011, but Debbie and Susan were kind enough to send the charity several of their hats for us to display as samples. Their designs support our mantra that just because you've lost your hair, doesn't mean you've lost your sense of style.  But I'm always asked, are these patterns difficult to make?  My reply is that no, they are not, because I know enough about knitting to look at a pattern and say, yes, it's complicated, or, no, it's not.  But to look at it, and make it to confirm its complexity are two entirely different things.

So after meeting BellsisterSusan earlier this year and seeing all of the Bellsisters' beautiful designs, I went back to my stash to see what I had that could become their beautiful hats.  
The folks at Cascade Yarns are very kind to our charity.  Also, my LYS had some Cascade Fixation yarn that was a special order for a customer, but a few skeins didn't get picked up.  The perfect yarn storm.  Suddenly, the fiber stash said 'hey, it's about time you made this hat.'  

And the "It's About Time Bow Tie Cloche" was cast on.  

Using the Fixation that I picked up from my LYS, and some Cash Vero DK that Cascade donated to the charity, suddenly I had stash singing the BTC song.

Five words.  This…pattern…is…not…hard! It looks more challenging than it is. And when you're done?  You realize that you have a hat which is stylish and something that a chemo patient will love.  The beauty of this hat is that it can be done a variety of different ways.  And if you're a bit frightened by lace?  Do stockinette to the top of the hat.  Make this hat about the bow and the ribbing.  But the lace isn't hard.  Once you understand the repeat (and place your markers), you…can…do…this!

I can't tell you where that pretty pink hat was sent, other than I know, in my heart-of-hearts that somewhere there's a little girl who feels better because her oncology center received this hat that made her feel special.  My It's-About-Time hat? It's among the hats to be sent to a cancer center in need.  I may never know it's ultimate destination.  But it may not be about where it goes.  It could be about the fact that in its journey, it will bring a smile, a momentary respite of comfort, a belief in survival and strength to someone who selects it from a basket or bin in an oncology center.  "Cancer is a journey of courage."  The Bellsisters Designs certainly help us all to "embrace you along the way."   Susan and Debbie, thank you!  Next up will be your Cloche Enough!



Editors note:  As of 2/27/12, a portion of each BTC pattern sold will benefit Halos of Hope.  We use these funds to offset our annual shipping & handling expenses to help over 475 cancer centers across the country.  We thank Bellsisters Design for their support.