I’m Caroline, a.k.a. “Little Package.” I hand-make custom cycling caps in Portland, Oregon from a variety of fabrics and in a number of sizes, and sell them around the world!

For me, caps come together naturally out of my love for bicycling and sewing. Around the time this photo was taken, my mother showed me how to use our sewing machine and I began sewing costumes, dresses, and… orange corduroy suspender pants. As for bikes, I can’t remember ever NOT having a bicycle to ride, but it wasn’t until I moved back to Portland in 2004 that I found myself immersed in Portland’s bottomless bike culture.

At that time, I started making caps out of frustration that most cycling caps are either too small or too commercially-branded for me. There I discovered not only my niche in cap-making, but the fun in tweaking the traditional.

Cycling caps are cool, totally functional gear, but they also set people apart. I get really excited when I get to make someone a totally unique cap. I’m looking forward to making yours!

A couple of new wool swatches (#6 and #16), just in time for fall and winter!

I’m starting to think cyclocross, and it’s only August. Also, I’m planning on going car-free again soon. Both of these things mean more time on the bike.

Something I realized while kissing a boy wearing cycling cap the other day… If want to get kissed, you’ve got to flip up your bill! (This may come in handy on the podium!)

Well, an Etsy shop. So, what are you waiting for? Come and browse lonely, homesick, and cheap cycling caps!

There are a couple of new swatches up, and some of the older ones are almost gone. Once they’re gone, I’m unable to source that fabric. If you like it, buy it now! (Please go to the “Custom Caps” page to figure out what you want and how much it will cost.)

If you’d really like something other than what I have (swatches and black or white twill), I invite you to send your own fabric! Otherwise, I have to Read the rest of this entry »

My friend Matt writes:

So, I’m walkin’ down the street the other day up in north Portland. It’s pissin’ down rain. It’s cold. I walk past this hipster chick who stops and asks me, “Is that a small package?” My first reaction was, “Why, no. It’s quite normally sized, thank you very much.” Then I realized she was asking about the hat. I was wearing this cool plaid cycling cap with orange ear flaps, you see. Your handiwork is becoming well known, Chick. Maybe I need to have you autograph any future hats. Speaking of future hats…

Time to clarify what “Little Package” means ~ because I know you’re wondering… “Little Package” is a nickname an old friend gave me. It’s a play on my French last name, which translates to “small packet,” “little package,” or “small package.” Now you know!

Yesterday I spent some time in the basement screen-printing polka dots, and as usual when I work on the KOTM caps I thought about Brett. Making and selling them for his memorial fund has been a good way of remembering him (almost daily, still) and processing thoughts about his shocking death last October.

Unless you need a special size, here’s where you can get your hands on King of the Mountain caps. They’re $30 each, and ALL the proceeds go to the Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund to make roadways safer for cyclists in Portland, Oregon. They not only make you feel good, they also make you look good!

I found this bad boy and brought him home. Juki MO-735. (Roll the Star Wars credit theme song.)I’ve always wanted a Juki (even though I can’t quite tell you why). Maybe it’s the name: JUKI. Cute! Or, maybe it’s that every professional setup I’ve seen features a big, industrial Juki. With the MO-735, I’m not quite home, because it’s not an industrial machine. Also, Juki just moved its production from Japan to China, and that has a lot of people nervous. A Chinese-made Japanese Juki? I’m not sure I’ll be able to tell the difference.

This Juki is remarkably different from - while remarkably the same as - the Bernina 2500DCET I was borrowing. The Bernina makes switching stitches (seemingly) as easy as turning a dial, whereas you must thread the Juki differently to obtain each type of stitch. It sounds strange, but I prefer the Juki way. It’s amazing how different machines can feel even when they’re the same machine.

Juki sews a cover stitch like a champ, but I’m still trying to figure out how to get the overlock going on thick passes - which means, arghh! Panic! Eventually I’d like to gather the courage to use the chain stitch to attach crowns to brims. That’d be pro. Soon, I’ll be able to really run this thing. In the meantime, Juki runs me.The great thing is how a machine revolutionizes work. Yeah, though I love hand crafts, I’m an industrialist all the way! I guess I can’t really say “Handmade by Caroline” like I do, can I?

I’ve been darn tootin’ busy making caps for the third annual Bike Craft Fair. The fair will be on November 15th from 6-10pm at the Lucky Lab Beer Hall in NW Portland (1945 NW Quimby). Save the date!

I meant to sell caps at the fair last year but couldn’t pull it together. This year I compensated by making dozens and dozens of great caps. I have big head sizes (of course), but I also have caps for “pinheads,” kids and babies! The baby ones are ridiculously cute.

There are also some “surprise” caps that I haven’t photographed. You need to see them; they’re pretty friggin’ awesome. After a few years of making them I finally feel like I have “the touch.” That and I also have some nice machines. Caps are still tricky and time-consuming to make, but there are fewer goofs, better outcomes, and I’m having a good time at it. Also, I’m getting a lot more orders. It makes me wonder if I was meant to be a milliner and not a nurse! My initials are C.A.P., after all.

I’d love it if you can drop by the craft fair, but if you can’t, maybe you’d like to buy a custom cap?