The Red Hat of Freedom

Red Hats that I have knit and/or crocheted

Join the resistance.  Any red hat will do!  Wear your red hat everywhere on February 26th.  February 26th,  2026, Red Hat Day commemorates a 1942 Nazi ban on red knit caps in occupied Norway, which had become a symbol of resistance.

Today it is a "craftvisim" movement where people wear handmade red hats to show solidarity against injustice, particularly to support immigrant communities and protest ICE operations in the United States.  "Melt the ICE" Movement:  Initiated in Minneapolis in 2026.  This movement uses a specific knitted and crocheted pattern for a red, tasseled, beanie-style cap to protest immigration enforcement.  Protest!

Symbolism:  The hats are worn to represent "solidarity in stitches," often accompanied by donations to immigrant advocacy groups.

Community Action:  Participants use the day to show support for local, marginalized communities.

Historical Reference:  The day honors the Norwegian resistance, specifically the 1942 decree that made the patriotic red caps, worn by adults and children, illegal by Nazi decree.

The official pattern for the Red Hat is here. The pattern costs $5.  All proceeds from the sale of this pattern go to the immigrant aid agencies who will distribute the funds to those impacted by the actions of ICE. The shop originating the pattern has collected almost $1 million!

I was so inspired by this movement, that I wrote a song about it.  Watch my video here.  

Honoring MLK in YARN

Today we honor a great man, Martin Luther King, Jr.  ....  in yarn!

This has become a tradition on "L.A. Is My Beat."  For the past twelve years I have been featuring Suzanne's MLK sweater on my blog in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I will repeat  again this year because I'm so in love with this idea and in awe of Suzanne's mad skills. 

The sweater pattern is from "Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines."  The name of this sweater is "Margaret," designed for the book by Mary Neal Meador.  The instructions state that the sweater may be embellished after knitting with chain stitched quotations of the knitter’s choice.  The sweater in the book has poetry added to the front and back. 

When I saw Suzanne's ("owlknits") sweater, I was touched by the words she chose.  This is from Suzanne's project page on Ravelry: 

I knit this sweater for a local art exhibition that was organized to honor the ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr.  I used quotes from his “I have a dream…” speech to embroider on the front and back of the sweater: Front: Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. Back: The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the day of justice emerges.

These words are still true today.  I am still blown away by Suzanne's sweater and her choice of quotations.  One day I will make such a sweater for myself.  Bravo!  Excellent work, Suzanne, honoring an eloquent man and his ideas! 

Follow this graphed chart to make a different sweater honoring MLK

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Marin Luther King, Jr.

Honoring MLK in Yarn

This has become a tradition on "L.A. Is My Beat."  For the past eleven years I have been featuring Suzanne's MLK sweater on my blog in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I will repeat  again this year because I'm so in love with this idea and in awe of Suzanne's mad skills. 

The sweater pattern is from "Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines."  The name of this sweater is "Margaret," designed for the book by Mary Neal Meador.  The instructions state that the sweater may be embellished after knitting with chain stitched quotations of the knitter’s choice.  The sweater in the book has poetry added to the front and back. 

When I saw Suzanne's ("owlknits") sweater, I was touched by the words she chose.  This is from Suzanne's project page on Ravelry: 

I knit this sweater for a local art exhibition that was organized to honor the ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr.  I used quotes from his “I have a dream…” speech to embroider on the front and back of the sweater: Front: Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. Back: The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the day of justice emerges.

These words are still true today.  I am still blown away by Suzanne's sweater and her choice of quotations.  One day I will make such a sweater for myself.  Bravo!  Excellent work, Suzanne, honoring an eloquent man and his ideas! 

Follow this graphed chart to make a different sweater honoring MLK

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Marin Luther King, Jr.

Honoring MLK in Yarn

This has become a tradition on "L.A. Is My Beat."  For the past ten years I have been featuring Suzanne's MLK sweater on my blog in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I will repeat  again this year because I'm so in love with this idea and in awe of Suzanne's mad skills. 

The sweater pattern is from "Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines."  The name of this sweater is "Margaret," designed for the book by Mary Neal Meador.  The instructions state that the sweater may be embellished after knitting with chain stitched quotations of the knitter’s choice.  The sweater in the book has poetry added to the front and back. 

When I saw Suzanne's ("owlknits") sweater, I was touched by the words she chose.  This is from Suzanne's project page on Ravelry: 

I knit this sweater for a local art exhibition that was organized to honor the ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr.  I used quotes from his “I have a dream…” speech to embroider on the front and back of the sweater: Front: Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. Back: The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the day of justice emerges.

These words are still true today.  I am still blown away by Suzanne's sweater and her choice of quotations.  One day I will make such a sweater for myself.  Bravo!  Excellent work, Suzanne, honoring an eloquent man and his ideas! 

Follow this graphed chart to make a different sweater honoring MLK

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Marin Luther King, Jr.  

The Weather Outside is Frightful!

Winter 2022.  It's very cold across the world.  It's cold in Los Angeles, but warm compared to other parts of North America.  For me, I'm cold when the thermometer drops to below 65 degrees. Time to get out the bulky yarn and knit and/or crochet a BULKY KNIT item!  I have tons of vintage knit patterns lining my bookshelves.  I've been collecting these old pattern books since I started knitting as a little girl, way back in the 1960's.  I've been rummaging through my books and have come up with some fabulous chunky knits to whip up for this cold snap.  Behold:

Fat yarn, large needles...these sweaters are quick and jiffy to work up!  The only problem with these chunky and bulky knits is that I'm rather chunky and bulky myself.  These types of sweaters just add to that bulky Babushka-lady look of my ancestors.  Oh well...who am I to go against my Ukrainian roots! 

These MEGA knits are coming around again in fashion circles.  Take a look at some recent runway favorites:

Please note that these high-fashion MEGA knits are shown on clothes-hanger skinny models.  

Eh!  Who cares!  I'm freezing.  I'm gonna whip out my size 13 needles and double up some yarn and knit a SUPER-CARDI this weekend!

Happy New Year, my friends.  I'll be here at Chez Bloom Underhill under a pile o' yarn!

Art in the City

"Floating World" by Ferne Jacobs, Coiled Waxed Linen Thread

"Craft in America" is a wonderful PBS television series showcasing different crafts-people all over our country and the work that they do. I've been watching it for years. There is a Craft in America Center on West Third Street in Los Angeles associated with the show. The storefront holds lectures by artists, hands-on workshops with artists and gallery shows! Last week I attended the exhibition called "Building the Essentials: Ferne Jacobs."  Jacobs is a fiber artist who has been working since the 1960s. Her work involves basketry, weaving, knotting, coiling and twining. Many of her pieces are sculptural and quite large. Her colors are riveting. The show will be on view through June 18th.  Go see it! 

"Flight" by Ferne Jacobs, Coiled Waxed Linen Thread

"Interior Passages" Ferne Jacobs, Coiled and Twined Waxed Linen and Thread

The shapes that Ferne creates out of mere fiber and twine are magnificent. I was also quite interested in her drawings and notebooks that included collage and other elements. 

Ferne Jacobs, Notebook, paint, collage

Just next door to the Craft in America Center is the store Free Hand. The shop is connected to the exhibition space and showcases original work available for purchase. There are jewelry items, paintings, clothing, ceramics and more. Many artists are represented, displaying an array of pleasing items for sale.  Really, the Free Hand shop is almost like a museum display. 

Seeing the artwork of Ferne Jacobs and visiting the Free Hand space was like being in an artist's cocoon for an afternoon. You must visit!

Craft in America

8415 West Third Street

Los Angeles, CA  90048

Tues-Sat, 12pm -6pm

Words to Live and Knit By

 

Suzanne's sweater honoring the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This has become a tradition on "L.A. Is My Beat."  For the past decade or so I have been featuring Suzanne's MLK sweater on my blog in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I will repeat  again this year because I'm so in love with this idea and in awe of Suzanne's mad skills. 

The sweater pattern is from "Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines."  The name of this sweater is "Margaret," designed for the book by Mary Neal Meador.  The instructions state that the sweater may be embellished after knitting with chain stitched quotations of the knitter’s choice.  The sweater in the book has poetry added to the front and back. 

When I saw Suzanne's ("owlknits") sweater, I was touched by the words she chose.  This is from Suzanne's project page on Ravelry: 

I knit this sweater for a local art exhibition that was organized to honor the ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr.  I used quotes from his “I have a dream…” speech to embroider on the front and back of the sweater: Front: Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. Back: The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the day of justice emerges.

I am still blown away by Suzanne's sweater and her choice of quotations.  One day I will make such a sweater for myself.  Bravo!  Excellent work, Suzanne, honoring an eloquent man and his ideas! 

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Marin Luther King, Jr.

February Holidays!

So many holidays on ONE weekend! It's the Lunar New Year of the Ox. It's Valentine's Day. It's Mardi Gras! I don't know what to celebrate first. Since we really can't go anywhere during this darn pandemic, we shall sooth ourselves with the foods of these holidays.

Lunar New Year! We must pick up a meal at my favorite Chinese Restaurant in L.A., Kim's Restaurant in Crenshaw Square. Their Wor-Won-Ton Soup is SO delicious!

Wor-Won-Ton Soup at Kim's

Valentine's Day this year is not going to be so romantic. I refuse to cook another heart-shaped meatloaf! In fact, I refuse to cook anything at all! It so happens that during the day on Sunday we'll be at The Jackson Cafe on Jefferson Blvd. with a small group of ukulele players. I might be adventurous for lunch and try one of their paninis or sandwich wraps. My go-to favorite at Jackson's is the Caprese Panini.  There are comfy tables with umbrellas in this office complex patio. The owner of Jackson's, Sam, is SO hospitable. Sam and his staff really know how to put a meal together! This has been my go-to place during the pandemic. Easy parking, good food and friendly staff.

Caprese Sandwich & Salad at Jackson Cafe

We usually spend the weekend just before Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras weekend at the Original Farmers Market on Third St. Larry and I have been going to their Mardi Gras celebration for over 30 years. Many of our favorite bands perform over the weekend. The Market is decorated for a New Orleans party. NOT THIS YEAR. Of course, they will have all of the foods associated with Mardi Gras, but none of the entertainment this year. 

Mardi Gras Decorations at the Original Farmers Market

I'm not that fond of the food served at the Market. It's always been a major tourist trap (without the tourists this year). There are only a few restaurants that I actually like. Larry and I do frequent the fresh produce stalls, poultry stores and butchers at the Market though. We might drop by for a bit of King Cake at the Bakery. You cannot beat the atmosphere at the Farmers Market, that's for sure! Here are the offerings:

We might stop by our local Creole eatery, Stevie's Creole Cafe on Pico Blvd. for a bowl of their delicious gumbo or even a po' boy sandwich. It's walking distance from our house. Their food is terrific, so the lines are usually long.

Shrimp Po'Boy at Stevie's

Seafood and Sausage Gumbo at Stevie's

Traditional King Cake

Larry and I were actually married on Fat Tuesday in 1992 which happened to be March 3rd that year. We met in 1990 in New Orleans, so NOLA has been a big part of our lives. We shall toast each other on Mardi Gras this year and save the big celebration for March.

YES! It's going to be a food extravaganza for the next few days! Enjoy February. Stay safe and wear your mask!

Valentine's Day Prep

It's almost Valentine's Day! The local stores have reminded me. The day after the Christmas decorations come down, the Valentine's Day decorations go up, especially at the craft shops.

I happen to LOVE anything with a heart design, especially yarny hearts. Here are a few heart knit and/or crochet suggestions to get you started on a spectacular Valentine for your sweetie. Click on the project title to find a link to each pattern: 

Psychedelic Heart

Heart Dishcloth

Norwegian Heart Mittens

Daisy Granny Heart

Heart Hat

@craftymusings on Instagram

I'm in LOVE with this sweet little Granny Heart!

I know you must have seen even MORE heart patterns online!  Go for it! Feel the love, make something mushy for Valentine's Day!

Celebrating MLK in Yarn

Suzanne's sweater honoring the words of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

This has become a tradition on "L.A. Is My Beat."  For the past ten years I have been featuring Suzanne's MLK sweater on my blog in honor of the birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. I will repeat  again this year because I'm so in love with this idea and in awe of Suzanne's mad skills. 

The sweater pattern is from "Mason-Dixon Knitting Outside the Lines."  The name of this sweater is "Margaret," designed for the book by Mary Neal Meador.  The instructions state that the sweater may be embellished after knitting with chain stitched quotations of the knitter’s choice.  The sweater in the book has poetry added to the front and back. 

When I saw Suzanne's ("owlknits") sweater, I was touched by the words she chose.  This is from Suzanne's project page on Ravelry: 

I knit this sweater for a local art exhibition that was organized to honor the ideas of Martin Luther King, Jr.  I used quotes from his “I have a dream…” speech to embroider on the front and back of the sweater: Front: Let us not seek to satisfy our thirst for freedom by drinking from the cup of bitterness and hatred. Back: The whirlwinds of revolt will continue to shake the foundations of our nation until the day of justice emerges.

These words are still true today.  I am still blown away by Suzanne's sweater and her choice of quotations.  One day I will make such a sweater for myself.  Bravo!  Excellent work, Suzanne, honoring an eloquent man and his ideas! 

Follow this graphed chart to make a different sweater honoring MLK

"Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere." Marin Luther King, Jr.  This year, 2021, we are dealing with the world-wide Covid-19 Pandemic and much unrest throughout the world. In two days we will inaugurate a new President and Vice-President of the United States, Joe Biden and Kamela Harris. I have hope for our democracy.

Joyeux Noël Avec Suzette

Suzette, at her first ukulele lesson

I've been wanting to document the wonderful knit and crochet ornaments that Suzette has given me over the years.  As we were taking down our aluminum Christmas tree this past weekend, I saved out the ornaments created by Suzette. She is truly the Queen of Christmas!

We exchange ornaments every year. Sometimes, Suze surprises me and gives me little creatures during the year. I hang those on the tree too! I'm lucky to receive Suzette's ornaments. She is very sweet to hang my less than stellar attempts on her tree!

Barbie borrows the slipover sometimes but not the mitts

Santa Slug

Figgy Pudding and Mr. Santa Gnome

Xmas Tree Drink Coasters. I hang these on the tree too!

Here are some more Suzette Creations that aren't particularly for the holidays, but I like to hang them on the tree anyway! #fibertastic

Henny Penny is my favorite!

Frida Kahlo

My other favorite!

The Bluebird of Crappiness. A mid-Covid observation

Thank you, Suzette for years of knitted and crocheted wonder and talent! Happy New Year! Here's hoping that we can knit, crochet and play our ukuleles IN PERSON very soon!