Easy Chunky Crocheted Beret and Reading List

Chunky crocheted beret

I'm ready for spring, but winter is not over just yet.  Gigantic wet snowflakes are swirling around outside the windows making it look like I'm sitting in a snow globe as I write this.  I have an indoor project to keep you busy until spring finally arrives - a crocheted beret.  It is a super easy crochet project even if you aren't very experienced and it only takes one ball of yarn.  I'm sporting the stylish and warm chunky beret in the photo above.  It's just the right combination of homespun and chic based on the positive feedback I've gotten while wearing it.  This project comes together in just a few hours.  I think you'll find the instructional video easy to follow.


If you're looking for an interesting documentary, perhaps to watch while you are working on your crocheted beret project, this is one to add to your viewing queue:

Waste Land - Vik Muniz, a Brazilian artist based in Brooklyn collaborates with trash pickers (catadores) who extract recyclables from Rio's then the world's largest active landfill, Jardim Gramacho.  It's an enlightening look at the daily lives of the pickers, into the creative process of the artist who takes photographs of his "paintings" made with garbage and how these interactions change the lives of all who are a part of the project.  It will make you give more than a second thought to the consequences of consumerism.

And if you are stuck inside and looking for something to read, here are a few books on my reading list for this month:


The Power of Habit:  Why We Dow What We Do in Life and Business - a fascinating look at how habits are created and methods you can use to change or create new ones for yourself.  I just finished this one, and there are some great tips help overcome some of the challenges of habit change that have been stumbling blocks in the past.



May Cause Miracles:  A 40-Day Guidebook of Subtle Shifts for Radical Change and Unlimited Happiness
- exploration of how making simple shifts can lead to major transformation.



Crazy, Sexy Kitchen: 150 Plant Empowered Recipes to Ignite a Mouthwatering Revolution - a cookbook full of simple, healthy vegan recipes.  I'm sure that I will be featuring some recipes inspired by all the tasty looking photos in this book.

Despite this winter storm, I can't wait to get the garden started.  Now that the seeds I ordered have arrived, I'll be setting up my seedling table in the coming week and look forward sharing the progress in this year's garden with you.

Thanks for reading!

Farmers market stall at Eastern Market on a sunny, winter Sunday in Washington, DC