Introducing Bellamy, a Fairisle Hat

 I'm very late writing this post... again! I actually published my latest hat pattern back on May 1st, started writing this post on May 8th, and finally finishing it now, May 25th... Better late than never though, I suppose! 

Early in 2020 I heard that David Bellamy had died. If you were a child of the 70's & 80's in the UK, then you will probably be familiar with the great man. 

He was a botanist with an enthusiam that was infectious and made a great many childrens programs on the subject. He was definietly a childhood hero of mine, and I looked forard to watching him.

It was his influence that made me realise how beatiful the world around me was, especially if you took the time to get really up and close and personal with nature.

I wanted to design a hat in his memory/honour and actually started it immediately after publishing Hope Springs Hat. But it wasn't quite working the way I wanted, so I put it to one side for later. It turned out to be MUCH later - but finally I got him finished. There were a few tweaks along the way, mainly around the fruit/berrries between the big leaves on the crown. They changed shape several times - I wanted ginkgo leaves to start with but changed them to clover leaves. Then maple leaves.. then cherries, and finally, simple fruit/berries. Work them in brown and they could almost be nuts!1

But I'm very happy with him now and he was well received when published I think. Here he is, in all his glory - and if you click on the first picture, you'll hop across to the pattern on Ravelry.

I've gone a bit overboard on the number of colours used! But then the natural world is full of colour! The hat on the main photo had 17 colours I think - the pink themed one below took slightly less. But I have also tried using just two colours and that was Very effective too (scroll down).

I hope you like my tribute to a very great man and should you choose to make it, I'd love to see your version! I wonder what colours you would choose to use??.... Don't forget to use the hashtag bellamyhat

Happy knitting everyone!   T  xXx