• BIKE CRAFT IV - I’m creating an assortment of wool (recycled wool including merino, and cashmere knits!) and cotton caps for this wonderful craft fair. I am focusing on winter “earflap” caps, but will also have some warm weather caps, including some “King of the Mountain” caps for the Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fundraiser. The idea this fall is to make classic, vintage-styled caps. This means more reclaimed wools, and soft, foldable bills. Be there December 10th at Roots Organic Brewing in SE Portland.
• Super Relax Concept Cycling Caps, round two. Shannon will be getting me the screened pieces here in the next couple days, so anticipate the niceness to start trickling out on the scene sometime in early December. Trust me, they will be AWESOME.
• Vanilla Charlie Caps, Christmas edition. We were waiting for Charlie’s coat to come back in so we could shear another batch to weave up into caps. Thanks Charlie, you’re a sport!
• The rebirth of my blog! Granted, it’s not much, but it’s here, and I intend to beef it up. There is now an RSS feed in case you want to keep up that way. (I recommend it.)
• …and some other things: Ira Ryan is turning over new cap ideas, the Eddie Merkins were flirting with the idea of having caps made, I may be making a set of wool winter caps for a smart set up in Seattle, as always I’m trying to keep my Etsy store stocked, and I’m making YOU a cap. Didn’t you know?

As you know, the Bike Gallery - with the support of Brett’s close family and friends - has decided to establish a memorial fund in honor of Brett’s life. The Brett Jarolimek Memorial Fund will be sponsored by the Bicycle Transportation Alliance (BTA), which will administer the collection and distribution of donations under its charter as a 501 C-3 nonprofit organization. The Fund’s intention is to spend a significant portion of its raised monies on grassroots projects in the area of traffic and cyclists’ safety in Portland, Oregon.

I have made another limited edition of one-size-fits all King of the Mountain cotton cycling caps. They are white with 3/4″ red polka dots. These have a soft, crushable & shape-able 5cm bill and mesh in the back for ventilation.

They are $30. ALL proceeds (meaning I take no profit, nothing) go to the Memorial Fund.

As of October 31st 2008, I am proud to say that I have made $790 and donated it to the BTA. Those donations were doubled by the Bike Gallery, making my donations reach well over $1500. Thank you to the folks who ventured to buy goofy polka dot caps for a good cause!

I could go into the myriad of patent reasons to shop local and sweat-free, or into how my caps are cut and sewn with integrity and kindness, or even into how you should shade your eyes, keep your ears cozy, and look snazzy, but I’ll keep it simple: Thank you customers. You are supporting my bike habit. And I have a serious habit.

A couple of new wool swatches, 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! Some people have sent in some great things… like favorite old pants and shirts, and given them a second life!

I no longer screen-print. This was something I offered to clients ordering bulk caps, but it is no longer realistic or even that much fun. If you’re unfamiliar with screen-printing, it’s a complex process. Unfortunately I cannot screen-print your logo on your hat. On the other hand, my cotton caps are 100% screen-printable!

I’m keeping things simple because I am super busy! A lot of people don’t know that I’m also a full-time RN aside from sewing cycling caps! Lately it feels like I have two full-time jobs! I’m really enjoying making caps and am getting a lot of great feedback. As soon as I get a moment I’d like to post more photographs of caps. Sometimes I’m sad when I have to ship off a cap before I get a chance to photograph it. People have been asking for some truly rad custom caps!

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!

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.