Handmade: Start new tradition with Christmas tree topper

The Detroit News

Want to look your usual festive self this holiday season, but you're tired of that same old red and white Santa hat? If so, why not branch out with something entirely different -- a hand-knitted Christmas tree hat, complete with glittering miniature ornaments?

Elaine Redmond of Beverly Hills shows her knitted Christmas tree hats.

If you're a knitter, you might want to try your hand at making one, but if not, maybe you can talk your knitting friend into making one for you in exchange for some holiday goodies!

Or -- if you stop by Leon & Lulu (96 W. 14 Mile) in Clawson Sunday (11 a.m.-5 p.m.) or Monday (3-8 p.m.) for its Artists' Market, you might be able to purchase one from the "limited edition" collection that Elaine Redmond has been putting together the past five years just for the "fun" of it.

The Beverly Hills resident, who's been knitting 20 years, came up with the idea and pattern, about five years ago because she wanted to make something different for the holiday sale held at the Community House in Birmingham.

"I was just thinking, 'what could I do for Christmas, and I said, 'I think I'll do a hat that looks like a (Christmas) tree.'" She thought they'd be a "unique and fun" thing to wear during the holiday season, and as it turned out, "everybody liked them," including "the first person who walked into the sale."

She embellishes the whimsical hats with miniature Christmas decorations, which she finds at local craft stores, including Michael's and Hobby Lobby. She usually buys candy canes, beaded garland, snowflakes, stars and tiny balls "that look like Christmas ornaments."

Who might wear such a hat, you ask? Redmond believes, "It's more a fun person, or people, who collect interesting hats. I have someone -- a volunteer at the DIA (Detroit Institute of Arts) -- who buys one every year. He collects Christmas hats."

She doesn't always make the amusing head turners in shades of green, as one might expect. In the past, some customers have requested pink. This year, she said, "I made a purple one, a gold one and a white one with sparkly trim. The green and white people buy them for themselves and kids at MSU (Michigan State University)."

The cone-shaped toppers can also be used as soft-sculpture for decorating one's home during the holiday season. "People stuff them and put them on their dining room table for decoration," said Redmond. "They can also be put on a base, or in a pot."

Redmond, sells her dual-purpose hats for $45 each, and she's willing to accept a "very limited" number of custom orders over the next couple weeks.

Here, she shares her original pattern.

Christmas Tree Hat

Level: Intermediate

Estimated time: 8 hours

Tools: size 8, 16-inch circular knitting needles; size 8 double points, scissors, tape measure, yarn needle, sewing needle, glue

Supplies: yarn (in choice of colors) -- Bernat Baby Blanket (for bottom), Vanna's Choice (body), Red Heart Super Saver (accent), a glitter eyelash; miniature tree decorations (including a star tree top), thread to match yarn colors.

Abbreviations: co cast on, k knit, p purl, st(s) stitch(es), dec decrease, tog together

(Note: This adult size hat is designed with 8 sections of 7 rows each, divided by 2 rows of p sts).

Instructions

CO 70 sts to circular needles.

K first row. Join at beginning of row 2, making sure not to twist sts.

K enough rows to measures 2 inches.

First section: Change to body color. Add 1 st every 7 sts (80 sts total). k 7 rows.

Change to accent color. p 2 rows. (If you wish, begin adding eyelash to one row in each section from this point on.)

Second section: change to body color. k 7 rows.