tiny happy

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‘tiny happy’ was a journal of my handmade life from 2006-2025.

regular guy

Grey 3

Grey 2 

Grey 1 

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post. It was great fun to get to know some small things about you and of course, get so many new music recommendations. If you're looking for some, you should check out the comment section, too…

I used the random number generator to pick someone to send the book to, and that person was Emily. I actually made a mistake the first time, so then I re-entered the number of comments into the generator and Emily's number came up again! So she is most definitely the winner.

When we first arrived in Norway at the beginning of 2008, Emily (who lives in Oslo) was so kind and welcoming to us. She also introduced me to the world of Norwegian loppemarked (flea markets), for which I was very grateful. We really don't have anything as cool as those here in NZ.

The weekend here was rather grey and cold. The children and I stayed inside yesterday afternoon and watched Where the Wild Things Are and I knitted this new winter hat for Tom. I used a pattern called 'Regular Guy Beanie' which you can download free from Ravelry here and alpaca/wool yarn (Patons 'Jet') in a dark grey shade. Simple, cosy and, well, regular.

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22 responses to “regular guy”

  1. Mary Avatar
    Mary

    Wool and alpaca makes such a wonderful blend for knitting! I can’t think of a nicer way to spend an afternoon :^)

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  2. Fliss Avatar
    Fliss

    Wish i could whip (knit) up a beanie just like that!! my knitting skills are basic and reserved for scarves at the moment.
    Congratulations to you for 4 years of blogging. Have loved it ever since i first discovered it!
    x

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  3. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    yes, mary- it was such a nice afternoon!
    hope youre doing well. 🙂

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  4. Tania Avatar
    Tania

    Now, see that looks like a regular, fabulous hat. Still recovering from knitty weekend hat issues, myself.

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  5. Lies Avatar
    Lies

    Wonderful that first pic. I so love the colours of your posts lately. The magic of seafoam or so eh. Ah that regular beanie will be so useful! And thank you so for all your fantasic blogging all those years, you’re very very special.

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  6. lotus Avatar
    lotus

    What did you think of Where the Wild Things Are? I have been making Nathan some gloves this weekend as well!
    xx

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  7. Jessica - Domestic PDX Avatar
    Jessica – Domestic PDX

    I like your hat. Looks like something I should be wearing right now, as it is quite cold and gray (and rainy!) here in Portland.

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  8. louana Avatar
    louana

    I love that hat! Did your children watch were the wild things are too? I felt anxious the whole way through it and I know how it all ends! I keep picking up that Jet yarn at my local store, might be time to actually buy some.

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  9. Sarah S Avatar
    Sarah S

    I’ve always wondered what ‘Jet’ is like to knit with – I’ve tried it’s sister ‘Inca’ (which is wool/alpaca)which makes nice, warm knitted things. I’m getting right into knitting now, half way through some mittens, and just had my first go at knitting with a set of double points. Odd but fun, once I got the hang of it.

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  10. Becky Avatar
    Becky

    Hi Melissa, thank you for your blog, it is such a restful space and so inspirational. Have been reading it for ages and the other day got into some archives and found the little scarf wrap you made some time ago for your little girl. My little girl Edie has her very own now from a Mum inspired by you. Thanks. Becky x

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  11. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi louana- yes, they did! keira got bored halfway through and wandered off but arlo seemed to really enjoy it… i felt okay about him watching it though.
    i can recommend the yarn- it knits up nicely! 🙂

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  12. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi lotus, lucky nathan! i liked where the wild things are- esp. the music and the artwork such as the amazing sculptures and costumes.
    i did think that a little of the magic of the book (as i felt it in childhood) was missing, or rather, was transformed into a very adult way of thinking… but that could have been me as an adult watching it. if that makes sense!? im still not really sure what i think of it, to be honest. did you like it?

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  13. julie Avatar
    julie

    How fitting that Emily won the giveaway! I remember browsing your archives and thinking how nice it is to meet someone that helps you discover great things in a new country.
    The hat looks great, I wish I could knit better but have little time for it anyway.
    I started watching the Wild Things and stopped after a while, it seemed to be getting nowhere. I loved that James Gandolfini was the voice of one of the Beasts though. Perhaps I should try watching it to the end…

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  14. gretchen mornin Avatar
    gretchen mornin

    hi melissa, is that jet wool 10 ply? if not did you change your needles size?.. I’m quite keen to give it a go, looks like a goodie. oh and how many balls did you need? cheers and thanks

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  15. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi gretchen, yes i think the wool is 10 ply- at least, i just crossed my fingers and hoped very hard that the yarn was right for the pattern, and it all seemed to work out fine. i actually used a size 5mm circular because that is the only one i could find when the knitting bug took hold of me. and im glad to report that the hat fits very well.
    happy knitting!

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  16. Margaret Oomen Avatar
    Margaret Oomen

    great hat

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  17. lotus Avatar
    lotus

    Yeah I totally agree with the adult perspective on the story. I loved the naughty adventure as a child so the very sophisticated analytical film version felt a bit forced? Still I liked it as an adult film rather than one for children. Apparently Spike Jonze has made a documentary of Maurice Sendak which is good. I am trying to track down a copy. Lovely rainy day 🙂

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  18. Emily Moss Avatar
    Emily Moss

    The pleasure was all mine Melissa! Amazing how it is to read a blog and find the blogger so inspiring and kind, then to get to meet the said blogger in person and find her even more delightful in person! Yes, that is you Melissa, such a lovely friend. What fun to win your prizes, especially your hand made cards! Thank you for making my day that much brighter!
    hugs from emily

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  19. Lucy Patterson HANDS-ON Avatar
    Lucy Patterson HANDS-ON

    Hi Melissa
    Love the hat! Great pattern. Jet alpaca-mix yarn is Mum and my favourite! We just stocked up big time at the recent Spotlight sale! I mostly knit babies’ hats out of it because it’s so lovely and un-itchy and soft. My mum also spins 100% pure alpaca fleece with a hand spindle. It’s the most heavenly, soft, amazing stuff ever! And who would have though that alpaca came in such a variety of colours naturally? Ginger, blue-grey, cream, black, dark brown, caramel etc etc. No need for dying, just gorgeous as is.
    It’s a howling gale at our end of NZ too! Just saw on the news how bad the flooding is lower down in the South Island. Hope you’re all right where you are.
    Lucy x

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  20. Laura Avatar
    Laura

    This hat is exactly what I’ve been looking for! Nice and simple – perfect. Congratulations on 4 years and thanks for sharing!

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  21. Jupitergreen Avatar
    Jupitergreen

    This is a lovely Hat… I am inspired…..have the pattern and am struggling like anything..juggling four needles.
    🙂

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  22. tinyhappy Avatar
    tinyhappy

    hi there, im sorry that its a struggle with the 4 needles- i found it tricky at first too… keep going! 🙂

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