I think the month of January – and perhaps particularly this January – often seems rather dark. These are certainly dark days for many of us around the world, but there are some visible green shoots, improving prospects, and the hope of brighter days ahead. I wanted my first design of 2021 to speak to those green shoots, and to bring a little cheer.
This is the Green Shoots Tam – a jolly hat that sings with colour!
I’ve brought our new Foxglove shade of Milarrochy Tweed together with Lochan, Hirst, Garth, and the fresh green shoots of Stockiemuir.
Bright floral and leaf motifs come together against a darker background
With an end result that’s certainly very cheery!
I particularly love Foxglove, and Stockiemuir together.
This is a project that, for me, has brought some brightness to the horizon of the coming year.
And if the hat that one wears is a metaphor for one’s occupation or sense of purpose, I hope to keep these bright green shoots in mind (and on my head) throughout the dark early months of 2021.
The pattern is available on Ravelry or as a single download from the KDD shop, where you’ll find kits too.
KDD & Co 
Kate, as always, I appreciate your straight talk about challenges during dark times….Thanks for reaching out to all of us with your good cheer.
I also want to commend you on an amazing design. You had recently written about how you have perfected the decreases/crown of a fair isle hat and the kaleidoscope that you create. Me thinks that this new design is your best crown ever??? It’s truly amazing.
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That is a winner! thank you for cheering us up with that!
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Hi Kate,
I’m new to your site and LOVE the Green Shoots Tam. I’m from the United States and after yesterday’s horrible political upset I need a new project. Your beautiful hat looks like it will be perfect for something to work on. Is the pattern included in the kit and is it written in English? Also, do you accept PayPal payments?
Thanks for your inspiration and help in getting me going.
Meylonie
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Hi Meylonie, yes – the pattern is included (as a PDF download) and paypal is good! We are thinking of all our friends in the US – it has been such a horrible week for you.
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Another quick comment to say how much I love Foxglove and Stockiemuir together. I may have to knit a two-color design with them if the Green Shoots tam doesn’t satisfy my cravings.
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This is the tam of all tams that I would like to knit this January. But, Kate, I have a rather large “heid.” Do you have any suggestions in the pattern for increasing the size and proportion a bit? Many thanks.
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one straightforward option is to increase the number of brim stitches to 128 or 132 (which would give an extra inch or two there) and then increase the body stitches to 210 on round 8 (which would give you a 7 point crown, rather than 6 point, and create much more room in the body of the tam). Other than changing those stitch counts, you can then work the pattern as written.
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Thank you so much for this, Kate! – and to Elizabeth for the question. Always need to enlarge hat patterns and am a bit daunted if a complex design. Was wondering whether to purchase the pattern and see how I might do it.
Do you think doing as you suggest would require more yarn than stated?
Many thanks.
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Thank you for answering that question, Kate, and thank you Elizabeth for asking it. Consideration of size and proportion is as critical for hats as for other garments. No such thing as “one size fits all” for one’s noggin.
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What lovely jewel colours, with a dancing line of spring flowers and new shoots, I love it. I also love your dress, is that Toast too. I can never find long cord pinafores anywhere. It has been snowing here in the Midlands, so I will be going out behatted by one of your designs to keep warm and cosy. Thank you for all your gorgeous designs.
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I really love that pattern. I am just in the final stages of completing Greis (i.e. weaving in the ends) so I may reward myself with a quick project and this would be perfect. It’s always amazing and reassuring that even in the darkest weather or under the thickest blanket of snow nature is ‘doing its thing’ and will soon burst forth again. And Kate, is that a full length velvet coat? I have been searching for one for most of my adult life, can you share any details?
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one of my obsessions too. I have a few velvet coats – all of them second hand. This is an old Toast velvet coat in a nice midnight blue – good quality – its more than 20 years old – but I bought it second-hand a couple of years ago. They come up on ebay from time to time.
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Such a pretty, colourful hat. I am very partial to Milarrochy, the colours always catch my eye.
As a retired teacher filling in as a supply in virtual classrooms, we are cheering each other on via social media in these dark times. The one thing that is truly brightening our days are the students; from Kindergarten to Gr. 12, this wonderful next generation is not only stepping up in dealing with learning on-line via devices from desktops to cellphones, they are guiding many of us less digitally experienced teachers thru the maze of Google classrooms, uploading, downloading, Youtubing, etc.
We truly feared the outcome of this year would be a net loss for this children and while they may not cover a whole math curriculum, this generation more than others, is kind, generous, open-minded and willing to help the next person. That’s a huge bright light for us in these wintery months.
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Thank you for this comment. I teach university students, and mine in the fall — one course fully remote and the other, hybrid — were good sports and focused learners. They were a joy, and I know that they learned (thanks to their own hard work).
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Tnx so much Kate, your supporting words and inspirational designs briten up my days🤩
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TRANSLATE PLEASE !!!!
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Jacquet, if you can use Google translate, you can do it yourself. Ask a friend for help with that.
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That is a lovely hat.
Though going on about the dark days of January when you’ve been photographed against a clear blue sky in bright sunshine . . . Yes, I know, it’s dark by 3:30pm or earlier. It still gets dark on the south coast around 4pm, earlier if there’s thick cloud cover.
Might try this one though. Currently wearing your Hat 101 as even this far south it’s CHILLY!
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I think it’s the hat that has made the sun come out!
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There now, you’ve given me the perfect reason to knit this one!
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Love it, as I love all your designs. Your blog posts are so interesting. Keep them coming!
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