Cuckoo

As spring approaches, I long for the flowers and color as the world becomes alive after a long winter. One of my favorites? The cuckoo flower - in part for its name, in part for its seemingly perfect symmetry. In folklore it was said to be sacred to the fairies and was quite unlucky if one brought it indoors. It was not included in May Day garlands for the same reason (poor little flower). To that I say, out with tradition and on with this hat, inspired by the cuckoo flower. Slightly slouchy and worked in the round, the hat begins with an eyelet rib, followed by a gently cabled lace pattern and is crowned with a last bit of flora up top. It is perfect for a rainy spring day when your hair won’t behave, or for when you want to add cool factor to a t-shirt and jeans. Worked in a cotton yarn with plenty of lace, it is not too hot for those “faintly" warmer spring days (although working this pattern in wool would make this a nice, chic winter topper).

**Update 10/21/10 There