Sonja Hakala

All posts by Sonja Hakala

I have been a professional writer since 1987. I've written for newspapers, magazines, worked in the book publishing industry, and published novels and non-fiction books. In addition, I've guided numerous authors through the process of independent publishing, and offer workshops in that same vein. I'm the founder of the Parkinson's Comfort Project and over the course of six years, we gathered and gave away over 500 handmade quilts to people with Parkinson's disease.

I developed a simple pattern for crocheted hats several years ago that I call “Haven Hats” because I donate them to our local homeless shelter, the Upper Valley Haven.

I recently dropped off a few new creations along with some crocheted slipper socks. Thinking ahead, I asked the volunteer who was receiving my gift whether she thought it would be more helpful to make slipper socks or hats. She thought about that for a moment but then said: “Hats. When it’s cold out, children cannot go out for recess unless they have hats and mittens.”

Every year on Thanksgiving, I post the Haven Hats Pattern here to encourage folks to either make or buy a hat for a child or adult in a homeless shelter.

So the link for the pattern is below. I updated it this year with a few variations. If you crochet, have at it. If you knit, please consider making some hats. If you are not a yarn person, there are lots of patterns to make fleece hats.

I hope you all have a peaceful Thanksgiving.

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