Thank You for Visiting the 83rd Annual LNHC Fair!

It was hot at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen’s 83rd Annual Fair. And by hot, I mean HOTTTT, as in the kind of muggy New England day that makes you wish for less clothing overall, not more. And certainly not clothing of the knitted-felt winter hat variety!

NH fiber artist, Carrie Cahill Mulligan sports one of her freehand embroidered snowflake felt hats at the 83rd LNHC Annual Fair at Mount Sunapee.

And yet… You still came.

I remember in particular a woman who entered my booth on perhaps the hottest, most humid & sticky day of the whole 9-day event. She came right up to me, and with slightly pained smile told me,

“You know, last year I left this Fair without one of your hats and I kicked myself for that all the way back to Philadelphia. I’ve been thinking about these beautiful hats all year, so here I am… Please, help me find a hat… but quickly!”

And so we did.

Detail of freehand french knot Mandala embroidery on felt hat, by NH fiber artist, Carrie Cahill Mulligan.

Detail of freehand french knot Mandala embroidery on felt

It’s a special sort of person who appreciates & supports locally-made American fine craft. And it’s an extraordinary sort who does so, even on the hottest days of the year. You have my deepest gratitude!

Embroidered felt hat fiber artist, Carrie Cahill Mulligan of Canaan, NH exhibits her work at the League of New Hampshire Craftsmen's summer Fair in Newbury, NH.

To EVERYONE who visited the LNHC Fair, thank you!

I hope you’ll mark your calendar for the 84th Annual Craftsmen’s Fair next summer, August 5-13, 2017. I love hearing back how you & your new hat are getting on…!

Felt Hat Sister Act: Robyn’s Story

“I wanted to treat my sister to one of Carrie’s gorgeous hats:

Freehand embroidery: Pink French Knot Mandala on pink felt hat, by felt hat fiber artist, Carrie Cahill Mulligan of Canaan, New Hampshire.

Freehand embroidery: Pink French Knot Mandala

…and accidentally fell in love with this green/navy dragonfly hat when trying them on… So I treated myself and bought Pam her stunning pink-on-pink hat. We now are both stylish AND very warm!

Freehand dragonfly embroidery with agate bead eyes on felt hat by New Hampshire fiber artist, Carrie Cahill Mulligan

Freehand dragonfly embroidery with agate bead eyes.

During this bitter winter, my dragonfly hat has kept me warm through many hockey practices at the rink, and has garnered many compliments around town. I always looked awful in winter hats, and was amazed to see how stylish Carrie’s hats are. They are unique, and can be worn on a run or with dress clothes. I even wore mine into to a job interview with a suit (and got the job)!!

Freehand dragonfly embroidery with agate bead eyes on knitted felt hat by Carrie Cahill Mulligan of Canaan, NH.

I recommend Carrie’s heirloom hats even to people on a budget; think of what we spend on groceries or oil, but this is something you invest in for yourself. I bought mine with Christmas gift money, and it has been my favorite gift.

Pam & Robyn sporting their new felt hats.

Pam & Robyn sporting their new felt hats.

Thanks Carrie for keeping us all warm and happy this coooold winter!”

 

Icy Seafoam Mandala Bound For Newfoundland

Most of the hats I make end up here in New England and the Northeast (although occasionally one finds a home in the Pacific Northwest or Alaska).

Last week, I shipped off my first hat ever to Newfoundland:

Freehand embroidery of French knots on icy sea foam felt hat by fiber artist, Carrie Cahill Mulligan of Canaan, New Hampshire.

Embroidered felt hat #82 of 2012.

Detail of freehand French knot embroidery on felt hat #82 of 2012

Detail of freehand wool embroidery on felt.

Detail of freehand French knot embroidery on felt hat #82 of 2012

French knots and split stitch make up the embroidered mandala design.

I’m delighted to have my work tested in the raw, wet winters of Newfoundland, and I love that the colors of this particular hat echo those of icebergs born of the North Atlantic. Seems particularly fitting!