new hat *yes, now with picture!*

I’m used to garnering stares as I walk down the sidewalk. After all, this is me. But today I was getting specific stares. It was my new hat.

I bought a handmade knit hat shaped like a tiger. Actually it’s shaped more like a mouse, but it has tiger stripes. So it’s a tiger. There’s a little face, complete with whiskers, and ears that stick up. There’s even a little tail, which is weird because the tail is attached to the back of the tiger’s head, and that’s not normally where tails go (anatomically speaking). What differentiates it from all my other handmade hats is that this one has a felt lining and ear flaps (and it wasn't made specifically for me). The lining protects against wind, which is important when there are 30mph winds down by the river on my way to work. The ear flaps are important because they cover the 12 pieces of metal in my ears, which conduct cold a little too well for comfort.

So as I walked along my way, there was many a stare. Awed envy from children*. Stupefied disbelief from adults. That’s right, I had a tiger on my head. But let them stare all they want. I’m warm, dammit! And as this is the first chance all year I’ve had to wear my Big Coat and Warm Fuzzy Boots (high of 37 today! Whoopee!), I jumped at the chance to also wear my new hat. It did not disappoint.




* Technically, it is a children’s hat, but thanks to Tiny Head Power, if fits me perfectly.