Solstice Lanterns is a colorwork tam with original motifs depicting lit lanterns glowing in the festive time of deep winter when the earth takes a nap and we all make merry.

Jolly wee lanterns hang in the base of the crown above the ribbing,  and the color changes are close together so you can carry the colors upward without having to snip the yarns, making the finish work of weaving in ends minimal . . .

. . . and elegant  chandelier lanterns in the upper crown, cozy with scrolls and checking and the detail of the lights casting a glow is rather delightful . . .

However, as these sort of things go, it doesn’t much matter what they are,  because the kaleidoscopic affect of the design is quite transfixing.  I knit this tam in a lovely Elemental Affects Shetland 2-ply yarn , which I am a big fan of.  But by the time knitters are able to get their yarn to needles for this, it will likely be only a few weeks left to the Winter Solstice . 

So speedily gather your Shetland 2ply yarns of choice, cups of tea, mugs of coffee, plates of baked goodies, and a lot of spiritual calm and please do knit one of these up for yourself before the holidays are past.

Poetically speaking, the lanterns have a deeper meaning for me, and that is ~~  a light in the dark is hope,  and from our hearts shines a beacon for the future.

  The pattern is available HERE. 

♥    ♥      ♥

Now, just in case you are thinking,  what about the grey-scale tam that I knit up in Jamiesons Spindrift ?  Well, it is a bit of dark humor (excuse the pun) as I knit it during a Public Safety Power Shut-off during a very windy few days in October (power lines and wind are a major cause of wildfires in California) , and which in fact lasted a week in the  mountainous areas north of the bay. Then, due to falling trees there have been still more power outages, and furthermore,  the power is OUT as I post this!!!  With a bit of irony, I introduce to you my slightly sinister  ” Lights Out In California ” . . .

Adorned with a tidy wee felted toorie which I made & posted about yesterday . . .

Equally as good looking as the festive prototype! However, now that I’ve posted the “Lights Out” version, I have a mind to stitch in colored lights. I’ll think about it. In the mean time, please do check out all the details of Solstice Lanterns over on Ravelry, as it is now live!   Thank you ~  xx Jen