Church Hats-part of the rich history of African American women. Author Willie E. Burge Robinson shares her warm memories of her mom's church hats, revealing how her mother's many hats inspired her life journey. For African American women, wearing church hats became popular after slavery. Women wanted to look their best while worshiping and showing reverence to God. When the sound of praise filled the sanctuary, women dressed in flamboyant hats were both an expression of pride and dignity. Some wore hats that pointed toward heaven, getting God's attention. The author's mom carried on the tradition. The weaving of the story behind some of her hats along with pictures may even inspire you to start wearing hats to church!

It all began with the poem "Warning" by Jenny Joseph: "When I am an old woman I shall wear purple/with a red hat which doesn't go, and doesn't suit me." Those powerful lines inspired thousands of women over the age of 50 to ditch conventional ideas of "matching" (in fashion and in life) and don red hats with purple clothes. Jill Larson Sundberg is one such woman. This is her second Red Hat book and it's a little book full of big ideas like "I'm going to make sure that those who are easily shocked will be shocked more often" and "Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did" and peppered throughout with quotes from honorary Red Hatters like Lucille Ball, Katharine Hepburn, and Judy Tenuta. Each Hattitude is accompanied by a quirky Red Hat line drawing. Hold on to your hats because Sundberg's My Red Hattitudes is sure to zap you fully into living the freedom that can only come with age. It's perfect for a party favor, hostess gift, stocking stuffer, or just because you want to recognize the women of a certain age in your life.

Every knitter will adore these timeless, fashionable, and extremely wearable hats, all photographed on models in a chic urban setting. Most of the projects involve knitting in the round, so a thorough overview explains the technique, as well as basic hat forms, choosing a yarn, and accessible techniques such as felting. Try a shaped ribbon yarn hat with equally decorative and functional earflaps. A simple brimmed felted wool hat becomes a fashion statement with a brightly colored decorative edging. Whip up a chunky seed stitch cap in just a matter of hours. Even the simplest designs are stylish, using great color combinations and yarns with irresistible textures. And, because the patterns come with both medium and large sizes, you can knit to fit.

Life begins at 50! And the women of the Red Hat Society are proud of it. In The Red Hat Society's Laugh Lines. Sue Ellen Cooper and the women of the RHS celebrate the life experiences that have made them who they are today. Over the years, they've accumulated well-earned laugh lines and cry-lines from wonderfully funny, incredibly touching stories that will warm readers' hearts and touch their souls. Just as there is so much more to each of these women than a purple outfit and a red hat, there's so much more to their lives than the RHS--"from their husbands, children, and grandchildren to living life fabulously after 50. This book is a collection of some of the most touching and funniest stories that they want to share with their sisters, and is filled with sidebars recommending their favorite books and movies. With contributions from members across the country, this collection is bound to thrill all Red Hatters--"and those who soon will be.