My brother has for decades worn this authentic Peruvian hat, the Incan motifs have become signature shapes on his head, almost like fiberous tattoos…
I am not sure where he got this beloved brown thing, but it is a cherished possession of his, and he lent it to me over a year ago asking if I might repair the moth holes (again) and… “maybe ‘add some color’ to it?” he asked.
Made of alpaca, and badly moth-eaten since being repaired long ago, it has become a part of his life, and all of our lives, for as we know him, we know this hat.
This favor asked of me to ‘fix it’ has apparently grown feet and evolved into a project of my trying not to entirely replicate the original, nay, but to design the Quintessential Brother Article, as he does actually wear these Peruvian style hats ( known in trend as a ‘chullo’) pretty much every day, tucking the ear flaps behind his ears. They are as he puts it, his ‘hair’.
Well folks, if you wonder where I am going with all of this back story, the thing is, I have begun the series of prototypes, and perfectly timed I might add, for his birthday.
Actually, I have made him so many of these, but still he is over the moon whenever I make him a new one.
So, my scheming to create an authentic replica had changed to become something I should really call a design inspiration, more of an impression of the original.
The design is in process, and a forthcoming pattern soon available!
The pattern release will be aimed symbolically around a big trip Jeff is taking in May with his son & daughter to Machu Picchu in Peru, and so I have a lot of work to do until then!
So here is the first in the series of prototypes ~~~ my brothers Birthday Chulo!
Pattern: forthcoming.
Yarn: Malabrigo Rios
Details: on Ravelry HERE.
I love the hat you made for your brother, it looks warm and comfortable.
Thank you Wen, and I am ecstatic that you would like to test-knit one of these when the pattern is ready soon! 🙂
Oh yeah ! You did again a little surprising design! I remember the old chullo, and that your brother loves to wear it, but this new one is gorgeous! Congratulations!
Do Jeff and his “kids” will also get one? For their hiking trip? I am nosy about the following samples.
The yarn looks so perfect for this! The semi-solid colors are so beautiful!
Petra, I have been juggling designs , meaning to write into patterns in a scheduled way , but that is impossible, especially when birthdays and meaningful dates keep directing my knitting ~~~ which I know you totally understand that! 🙂
Wow, that is amazing! Great work! Beautiful design.
Thanks! xx
Cannot wait to make one!
Anina! I have not forgotten about you ~~ not at all. I just have thought maybe not to focus on the Knitting @ Altitude thing yet, for I am over-run with design work to do, building my pattern base still. One day, maybe this spring, we will knit together, and of course, I am eager to have you knit moi’s designs. 🙂 xx