hat bag hat bag hat bag (and a pair of tights)

Knitting a little hat out of wool wasn't wasn't quite enough for Mrs. Gawthrop. Oh no. She single handedly cast aside the century old practice of sheep wool production by sending us this hat knitted from a Sainsbury's carrier bag and an old pair of tights (clean). Thereby recycling and helping to raise money for Age Concern at the same time. You pushed a boundary, Mrs. Gawthrop, you redefined wool and discombobulated our imaginations.

For these reasons, please accept our humble title of hat of the week.

We'll be voting on the hat of the year next week. Oh yes, it's going to be a hell of a battle, so watch this space.

fairy nice

A wild shock of purple hair. A glittering pair of silver moon boots. Two pet toadstools. The biggest, blingest brooch you've ever seen - there's not really much to dislike about this fairytale woodland scene. And it's all happening on top of a little knitted hat. To pick a favourite from the incredible selection of hats that Edith Webb sent us was no easy task. There were pirates, witches, chickens, even Goldie Locks and the Three Bears. All of them stunning in their own right, and all perfectly knitted. We got so excited we had to display the entire collection on a table in fruit towers, for all to enjoy. But we liked the little fairies and their toadstools the best. The toadstools look big and red. The fairy looks very content. And there's something endearing about the way her little legs poke out from that hat. "Look at my new boots," she seems to be saying, "aren't they just wonderful?" They are indeed purple haired fairy. A fine choice of footwear. So nice in fact we're going to make you hat of the week. Well done.

the wooliest hat ever

It's a ram and it's covered in wool. But it's also a hat made of wool. It's really very layered indeed. Are those a honking set of mutton chops we see? Or are they horns? Is it cruel to call a ram's sideburns mutton chops? It probably is. How can we make it up to you fine ram - if we make you hat of the week will you stop staring at us so intensely with that big old left eye of yours? Probably not, but we're going to make you hat of the week anyway, on account of the fact you've been beautifully knitted. Tidy needlework Pat Rawcliffe - you sure know how to knit a good ram.

ppppppick up a panda

It's nice to open a package of hats and find a Panda staring up at you. Not an actual Panda, of course. That could have been quite dangerous. And we'd never have managed to fit it onto one of our bottles. But a hat-sized Panda was lovely to see. So a big thank you to this week's hat of the week winner, Sandy Goss from Dunblane, for sending us this adorable little hat.

everybody needs one

Selina Burgess from Leeds wanted to know what we thought of her knitting creation, Mr Tash. Well Selina, in an ideal world, we'd all have a Mr Tash. Watching over us, making us hot milk before bed, holding doors open for us - nothing would be too much trouble for Mr Tash. Because Mr Tash is strong. Mr Tash is kind. Mr Tash is wise. And Mr Tash looks like a cross between Mr Ben and Mr Miyagi. To top it all, he's also hat of the week. What a guy.

cool knittings

This week's hat of the week was sent to us by the Tilgate Drive Knitter Natterers from Bexhill on Sea. What we're especially loving about it - apart, of course, from the brilliant set of dreadlocks - is that this hat has its own hat. And as the old saying goes, two hats are better than one. Congratulations to Vera, Grace and Anne down in East Sussex, we'll be sending a case of drinks out to you soon.

ground control to major tom

All of the 120 hats sent in by the mum and daughter pairing of Sylvia Russell and Jayne Clements were rather excellent, but something stood out about this one. Perhaps it was the big pair of saucer eyes that gazed back at us, or maybe it was the strange but beautiful mullet-come-scarf-come half finished cape-type-thing that dangles from the back. Or was it just because there's something very glam rock about it all, and we couldn't help thinking that if David Bowie were a woolly hat, he'd be this woolly hat. Whatever the reason, we think it's a winner, and more than worthy of being our hat of the week. 

hug me

Isn't this just the cutest hat, or rather hoodie hat, you've ever seen? In fact, it may well be the first hoodie hat you've ever seen. But that's okay. It's still pretty darn special. We think this week's hat of the week is an early contender for hat of the year. I've been parading it around the office since it's arrival, to many an 'ooh' and 'aah' of delight. I mean, just look at how happy that bottle looks, all snug and warm and hooded. Great work Rachel Phillips. You sure know how to knit a good hoodie hat.

world traveller

This week's exceptional Big Knit little woolly hat has travelled far and wide to get to Fruit Towers. The wee Nepalese-style beanie, complete with a pair of really useful ear-flaps was sent to us by Vikki from Faerie Glen of Pretoria, South Africa.

Vikki obviously heard about how chilly it can get here in the UK what with Winter coming, so looked to the wisdom of the Himalayan people for tips on keeping smoothie bottles wrapped up warm.

This insight paired with fantastic pattern design makes this hat a clear favourite for us for this week's coveted Hat of the Week award. Well done Vikki.

hello ducky

This weeks hat of the week award goes to Laura Copping from Barnsley. She sent us a big box full of spiders, cats and various other creatures from which we rescued the ducks, Titch and Tiny. They're clear favourites and we think the hats are more than worthy of a tip of a cap in Laura's direction and a case of our finest drinks. Thanks Laura.