The Hat Junkie
111 Lawrence st B0J 2C0 Lunenburg, NS, Canada

Just locked up in my studio filling orders. (No complaints here)

I am just so darn lucky to have such wonderful customers. These two were such a delight. Thank you to all the women who are keeping me run off my feet. I am grateful. #hatshop #hatmaker #milliner #hatlove #lunenburg #novascotia

Hatty sunshine. Hand knit and felted Canadian Dorset wool. It’s super warm and water resistant. #beret #feltedhat #handknithat #wetfeltedflowers #yellowberet #orangeberet #knittersofinstagram #feltersofinstagram #millinersofinstagram #canadianwool #dorsetsheep

Totally successful! Oh, what a relief. I can’t begin to describe to you how beautiful this shirt is. All the seams are enclosed. It’s just full of beautiful details that you could never buy in a store. The Fairfield button up is a pattern by @threadtheorydesigns. more photos soon. I’m so proud of the inside. #fairfieldbuttonup #sewing #sewistsofinstagram #menssewing #threadtheorydesigns

Hand knit and felted Canadian wool with a big felt bow. Warm, crushable, water resistant and adorable... #knithat #felthat #stripedhat #hatter #milliner #millinersofinstagram #knittersofinstagram #lunenburg #novascotia #hatmaker

Yes, my polar fleece hats are being phased out, but they will be here for as long as I still have the fabric ....and I have lots of it. It sure is cozy and warm stuff. #hatmaker #hatter #edwardianhat #fleecehat #winterhat #velvetflowers #milliner #forestgreen

Buttonhole phobia is real. I finished this #fairfieldbuttonup for Tony many months ago and then I couldn’t face the possibility of wrecking it with sloppy button holes. So, I spent a small fortune on a vintage Singer buttonholer attachment. I learned how to use it and made perfect button holes....that were all out of line. I put it aside for another few months and then unpicked all the buttonholes. If you ever consider doing this, I highly recommend some sort of mild intoxication first. Well, yesterday, I spent the whole damn day practicing button hole alignment and then took the plunge. I’m proud to say that this shirt now has almost aligned buttonholes. I decree it good enough. The man will have a beautiful shirt. #sewistsofinstagram #sewover50 #sewing #sewingproject

First order of the day, took the scissors and mercilessly hacked a few inches off the bottom of this hat from my personal collection. It had more of a folded up brim before . A few rules for short hair with a small face, avoid a too poofy hat...try to show a bit of hair...if the hat is deep around the ears it should come up a bit in the front...with bangs you don’t want the hat to be in line with the very bottom of the bangs, bring it a bit higher in front. Short hair with a full face is very different. In that case a hat with more volume looks great. Brims are fine with both face shapes. Never give up on hats. It’s just a matter of finding the one that works for you. #hats #chapeau #hut #millinery #felter #hatmaker #hatshop #lunenburg #novascotia #hatsforshorthair

So, after reading my blog post about her hat and how it was hard for me not to make red flowers, my customer asked if I could make the flowers removable and add a red version. I love how it completely changes the mood of the hat and it’s always nice to have options. #felthat #turquoisehat #merinowool #wetfelting #wearableart #textileart #feltersofinstagram #felter #wool #lunenburg #novascotia #milliner #hatmaker

Just about ready to cast on my next sweater. #knitting #knittersofinstagram #strandedknitting #colourworkknitting #lichenandlace #lichenandlacerusticheathersport #knitdesign

OK, full confession, I had a hard time working today because I was obsessed with figuring out which hats look good with my new hair. Some of my favourites just don’t work anymore. The one thing with lots of curly hair is that all hats look good, but a small face and short hair can easily be overwhelmed with the wrong hat. These were some of the hat styles that got my approval. I think you are going to see more short hair friendly hat styles in my repertoire. #millinery #hatshop #hatter #hatmaker #felter #felthats #lunenburg #novascotia #hatsandshorthair #pixiecut #greyhair

I’m not sure I’d recognize me walking down the street. I just had to do it. #offwiththecurls #pixiehaircut #greyhair

This one is Massachusetts bound, but if you feel covetous I can make you one, too. https://www.hatjunkie.com//fleece-flapper-cloche-hat-with/

When you love your coffee mug so much that you need to turn it into a sweater. Mug by @sera_seno in Truro, Nova Scotia. #knitting #strandedknitting #novascotiapottery #knittersofinstagram #sweaterknittersofinstagram #knitdesign

A beautiful mother/daughter duo in their new hats. I’m delighted that so many ladies are gravitating towards my wet felted and knit hats...now I get to make more. #hatter #milliner #felter #knitter #hatshop #knittersofinstagram #feltersofinstagram #lunenburg #novascotia

Do you like my hat? (Think Dr. Seuss. No, I do not like your hat....hrumph!....and then finally, I like that hat! I like your party hat!) #hatmaker #hatknitting #handknithat #hatshop #canadianwool #hatknittersofinstagram #knittersofinstagram #strandedknitting #pink #pinkhat #woolhat

Im a firm believer in good hat cheer for Winter days. Hand knit from Custom Woolen Mills, purchased @marinersdaughter in Lunenburg Nova Scotia. #knittersofinstagram #strandedknitting #happyhat #wool #ilovewool #canadianwool #lunenburg #novascotia

It’s raining out and I have a bunch of orders in front of me and I’m having a bit of trouble getting started....maybe I need a snack. #millinersofinstagram #feltersofinstagram #wetfelting #hatshop #polkadots #earflaphat #madhatter

A new Madeline headband for Tanyas hat. Options are a beautiful thing. #milliner #hatshop #hats #lunenburg #novascotia #organiccotton #hemp #haddyed

I was supposed to change colours a long time ago, but I just couldn’t tear myself away from this one. Brioche knitting is really quite hypnotic. (Technically this is the #whatthefadeshawl, but I think I’ll just take elements of the shawl and go my own way. #knittersofinstagram #briocheshawl #briocheknitting #lichenandlace #knitting

https://www.hatjunkie.com//custom-sized-adult-3d-face-mas/ Navy has proved to be a popular colour, so heres another one that works well for both men and women.

Here come the button bands! #knittersofinstagram #sweaterknitting #sweaterknittersofinstagram #knitdesign #knittingaddict #wool #ilovewool #briggsandlittle

Today this hat found its rightful head. It went to a beautiful musician with the sparkliest blue eyes. I really love this hat. It’s almost a serious classic cloche, but it couldn’t repress its inner nut bar. #wetfeltedhat #felthat ##whimsicalhat #milliner #wearableart #feltersofinstagram #millinersofinstagram #paperdolls

I started changing colours to see which one I like best and discovered that I like them all. I think I’ll call this sweater, With Sprinkles, please.

Is, Im sorry your hat order is late, but Im too close to finishing my sweater. a legitimate excuse? #knittersofinstagram #millinersofinstagram #sweaterknitting #sweaterknittersofinstagram #knittingaddict

A pretty hand dyed silk velvet rose. I haven’t made the associated hat yet, but sometimes I like to eat desert first. #millinery #velvet #hatmaker #flowermaking #fabricflowers #greenvelvet #hatter

A newsboy cap for my aunt. The bonus is I know she will be walking around Montreal telling everyone who cares to listen that her niece made this hat. #newsboycap #denimcap #sashikostitching #embroidery #milliner #hatmaker #hatshop #hatter #upcycleddenim

Today I am denim newsboy capping for one of my favourite humans. #newboycap #poorboycap #paperboycap #denimcap #upcycleddenim #hatmaker #lunenburg #novascotia

I have a new blog post up. Hope you enjoy. https://www.hatjunkie.com/my-off-the-grid-sewing-machine-c/

The one thing I didn’t show in the last photograph of this felt hat was the ties and that’s because I hadn’t made them yet and also didn’t know how to make them. My customer specifically requested twine, but I couldn’t just add some random twine. It’s important that the texture and colours work together. The long story short version is that I now know how to make twine and sock yarn was the perfect material. Thank goodness for sailing videos on Youtube. #felthat #wetfelting #millinery #hatmaking #bluefelthat #handmadehat #merinowoolhat #feltersofinstagram #millinersofinstagram #twine

I think this will be the collar for my cardigan....but a tad bigger. #knitdesign #knittersofinstagram #peterpancollar #rusticwool #ilovewool #sheepshade #briggsandlittle #knitting

I dont think Ill ever get tired of my Maisie hat. It might have something to do with the beautiful wool fabric that was handwoven for me by Double Whale Handwoven Designs in Lunenburg. #millinery #classichat #purplehat #wool #ilovewool #millinersofinstagram #sewistsofinstagram #lunenburg #novascotia #novascotiamade #atlanticcanadiancraft

Darn cute...(If I may say so myself). Made entirely on my Great Grandmothers treadle sewing machine. #millinery #denimcap #sewing #sewistsofinstagram #millinersofinstagram #zerowastefashion #treadlesewingmachine #antiquesewingmachine

When an 8 year old girl asks her mom to buy her this mask for her first day of school, theres nothing to do, but get it done. #thekidhasgoodtaste #facemask #floralfacemask #jsbfacemask #sewistsofinstagram

Sleeves are attached. The most exciting moment in the birth of a sweater. Im knitting this with @briggslittle sport weight in the natural sheep shade, Oatmeal. Up to this point I have used $18 worth of yarn. You really can knit with natural fibres affordably. Maybe you wont get cashmere, but Ill take rustic wool any day. #knittersofinstagram #knitting #briggsandlittle #knitdesign #affordableknit #wool #sheepshade #laceknitting #cardigan #ilovewool

A very distant memory. (sigh) Lately, I have been trying to start my mornings with a ballet barre. My focus these days is on standing up. You gotta start somewhere, right?

Trish came by to pick up her mask and ended up walking out with this hat. The dangers of entering my shop. Sorry/definitely not sorry. They both look perfect on her.

I guess I like flowers.

Im so in love! Im really starting to think that electricity is overrated. #antiquesingersewingmachine #treadlesewingmachine #mygreatgrandmotherssewingmachine #sewistsofinstagram #sewist

You know, I have the amazing luck (after 27 years of hard work) of being able to make a living selling my hats, but in the knitting world Im pretty invisible. OK, it was less than 3 years ago that I first learned to form a knit stitch, so thats to be expected. The funny thing is when I sell a $250 hat Im fairly underwhelmed with emotion. But when I sell a $5 knitting pattern (after countless hours of work to put it out in the world) I find myself dancing around the house like I just won the lottery. Go figure.....https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/market-day-socks These are my Market Day socks. Link in my profile. #marketdaysocks #knitting #sockknitting #knittersofinstagram #sockknittersofinstagram #lichenandlace #sockpattern

The Market Day Socks Pattern is here! You can purchase it both in my web shop, https://www.hatjunkie.com/product-catego/knitting-patterns/ or on Ravelry, https://www.ravelry.com/patterns/library/market-day-socks And, if you make an online purchase from The Mariners Daughter I will send you the pattern for free. Just message me a photo of the invoice. Happy Knitting!

Im in it for the long haul with my Water Arcade blanket. Although I put it down for long stretches its always a pleasure when I pick it up again. Im totally comfortable spending a couple of years to make this a queen size blanket. #waterarcadeblanket #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #crochetblanket

First mask sewn on my Great Grandmothers treadle machine. I wonder if she made any masks on it during the Spanish flu? #pandemicsewing #maskmaking #jsbfacemask #sewistsofinstagram

The only word that can express how I feel right now is, verklempt. Thats a yiddish word meaning-overcome with emotion. Today I spent the day learning how to use my Great Grandmothers sewing machine. I was named after her and she sewed mens tuxedos on this machine. #antiquesewingmachine #treadlesewingmachine #sewistsofinstagram #millinersofinstagram #antiquesinger #antiquesingersewingmachine

A Scrappy Charlotte hat in denim. My aim with this hat is to use small remnants of fabric because this is what usually ends up in the garbage. The hat body alone is made of 26 pieces of fabric plus another 16 for the flower. So much more work than starting with yardage or larger pieces, but so rewarding. Im making a batch of Charlotte hats and then I will post them in my shop. #millinery #sustainablefashion #zerowastefashion #sewist #fabricscraps #denim #upcycleddenim #patchworkhat #sewistsofinstagram #sewover50 #hatshop #lunenburg #novascotia

I suspect that my mask making venture is actually just an altruistic excuse to buy beautiful fabric. Thank you @patchhalifax for your amazing selection of quilting cottons. #maskmaking #sewist #sewistsofinstagram #fabricaddict #facemask

Well, my plan was to tell you that there was only one denim cap left in my shop. Eleven caps found their rightful heads quite quickly. But, I needed to go to the post office and those buttons on the side for holding a mask are just so nifty and it was too cool for my straw cap, so....I claimed it as my own...and I have no regrets. But fear not, I have now changed all the listings for caps in my shop as custom made, so if you would like one Id love to make it for you. https://www.hatjunkie.com/product-category/caps/

Dawn is a sight for sore eyes....and her personality actually matches her Hat Junkie mask and cap. #denimcap #facemask #poladots #hatmaker #lunenburg #novascotia

A denim cap for Dawn @tigtechtime_ #denimcap #upcycleddenim #zerowastefashion #flappercap #milliner #hats #hatter

The hardest part of my day is putting my knitting down and starting to work. Its just too exciting to watch an idea in my head become real. #knitting #knittersofinstagram #briggsandlittle #sheepshade #wool #ilovewool

The Bay of Fundy. Thats one strong body of water. #annapolisroyal #annapolisvalley #bayoffundy #novascotia

Hello from Annapolis Royal. Celebrating 18 years with the love of my life. #annapolisroyal #novascotia #staycaytion

Just had to make them. #crochetslippers #crochet #crochetersofinstagram #maryjanes

My new knitting and reading device. This is absolutely brilliant state of the art technology. Thanks to those who suggested a cookbook holder. Problem solved. #knitting #knittingandreading #knittersofinstagram

I dont mean to shock anyone with a winter hat, but the mornings are now so lovely and cool here. Thought it might be time to stock the shop with some warm hats. This one is super warm...and cuddly...and water proof....and crushable. #fleecehats #millinersofinstagram #hatmaker #hatlove #hatshop #lunenburg #novascotia #pinkandgreen

Over the years I have met so many women who have become both great customers and friends. Irene and her husband were visiting Nova Scotia from Georgia a few years ago and I have been shipping her hats ever since. I think she looks fabulous in her custom sized cap and custom sized mask.

I guess its fair to say that I adore Mondim yarn by @retrosariarosapomar. Purchased @theknittingloft in Toronto. Looking forward to the day I can visit again. #knitting #knittersofinstagram #socknitting #mondim #katedaviesdesigns #sockknittersofinstagram

Judy in her new mask. Polka dots make everything better.

The blueberries from my garden fit so perfectly into the waffle....Thats me and my dog Lego on the mug made by the amazing Mariko of @foragestudios #gardening #waffles #ceramics #pottery #novascotia