thinker

For Dr. Rodgers


At the Christmas swap, Dr. Rodgers said that if I made him a hat, he would wear it, so I figured I better. Made using the Tychus pattern, this hat was really fun to make, and even though Dr. Rodgers may have badly messed up my time at UCR, he really did mean for the best. I left all these hats as the hat fairy would have; in the evening when no one was around so they would find them after I had alreay left. When he found his, Dr. Rodgers sent me a text message saying that the hat "is so beautiful I wanted to cry. " So now that we've tradded tears, I'm glad to have known him.

matching circles

For Aliana and Arodi

From Knitty's Center Square pattern, I made one for my grad school co heart Aliana, and a smaller one in inverse colors for her daughter Arodi. She is the cutest little girl you have ever seen, and she wore her hat to my going away party, which made me cry.

camouflage

For Chris


Knit in the round on 8s with seed st brim and mixed media stripes plus poof, this is a big hat for a guy with a big head. (No really, he just has a large diameter head.) Chris was one of my first and best friends when I came to UCR, and he knew before he opened it what this would be. He is off in Japan now, so hopefully he can make good use of it.

red flower

For Yan

Perhaps a bit too girly for my normal taste, but just perfect for my Asian friend Yan. The hat is a simple white pattern with pink trim, and the flower is from the Stitch-and-Bitch Nation book and throws in some nice color. I will always remember the first thing Yan asked me when we meet, which was if I had any brothers or sisters, and when I said that I did she asked me what it was like. She grew up in the age in China when more than once child was illegal, and was fasinated with my stories about my little brother. Internatinal diversity does have a way of changing your perspectives.

undergrowth

For Sharad
Simple hat style rib with red heart held 2tog on 12s, this hat is for the Optical engineer that Dr. Anvari hired mid way through my crisis who is now helping Nima piece the lab back together.

He is one of the most interesting people I know; from India, Korean wife, adorable daughter, great taste in food and coffee. I will miss our conversations.

brown brioche

For Nima

Simple brown hat done on dpt 8s in a mock brioche rib. Nima was the best lab mate anyone could ask for, quirky Persian humor, constant dedication, complete confidence in adviser complaining! He was such a support toward the end, a hat is not quite enough but I hope he knows how much I owe him.