Major Knitter

Wise Old Owls

OK - maybe not so old, but definitely wise!  You know I've been on an owl tear.  My friend Donna asked me for an owl hat, so of course, I came up with one.  

It's really quite simple.  I just cast on 72 sts with a US size 8 needle and knit a band for 2 inches, then switched to stockinette in the round until the hat measured nearly 8 inches from the cast on edge.  Then I grafted the ends shut using the kitchener stitch.  I added the tassels and cut them short on each corner for ear tufts.  Finally, I followed Knit-a-Zoo's Cordell the Owl (Ravelry link) instructions for the eyes and the beak - but using Lamb's Pride Bulky and US Size 8 needles.  Very, very simple.

Donna was thrilled with her new hat!

The owl hat was cute and so fun to knit, so I did what I do best... I immediately knit two more hats.

Michelle and I modeled the newest owl hats this week.  What a hoot!

Susie Rogers' Reading Mitts Pattern is Available Once Again

Hallelujah!  For all of you who asked me for Susie's pattern (and I ignored you because it wasn't mine to give) - take heart!  The pattern is available once again.  Click HERE for the free Ravelry download.

Whew!  I know how pleased you'll all be.  Go forth and make lots of mitts!

Baby Hats for Charity

I decided to start the new year off on the right foot by knitting up some newborn caps for charity.  I have so much yarn for baby projects that this seemed like a good idea.  I designed some patterns for baby caps four years ago, but haven't made any new baby caps since.  I thought now was as good as any time to revive these favorites.

The first hat is my Basic Newborn Baby Hat in 2x2 ribbing

The second is the same Basic Newborn Baby Hat - but this time in 1x1 ribbing

Third in line is the Basic Newborn Baby Hat - Rolled Brim

The fourth and final hat is the Basic Newborn Hat - Garter Stitch Brim.

 You can click on the links above for the Ravelry links and patterns, or you can find these, and all my free knitting patterns HERE.

A Super-Duper-Very-VERY-Warm Hat

Yeah!  I finished my Super-Duper-Very-VERY-Warm Hat.  Let me tell you - this baby's HOT!

Let's take a look at the engineering of this hat step-by-step.  My hat is part A Very Warm Hat - part Dubbelmossa.  It's neither pattern - but based on the concept of both.

I started by knitting the outer hat in a 100% cashmere by Trish of Tanglewood Fiber Creations in the gorgeous "Northwest Winter" colorway.

• I used the Magic Loop method and cast on 4 sts on a 40" length US Size 5 Turbo Addi circular needle .  I placed half the sts on the front needle and half the sts on the back needle
• Knit into front and back (KFB) of each st (= 8 sts)
• KFB of each st (= 16 sts)
• *(KFB, K1) repeat from * to end of round (= 24 sts) 
• *(KFB, K2) repeat from * to end of round (=32 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K3) repeat from * to end of round (=40 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K4) repeat from * to end of round (=48 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K5) repeat from * to end of round (=56 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K6) repeat from * to end of round (=64 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K7) repeat from * to end of round (=72 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K8) repeat from * to end of round (=80 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(KFB, K9) repeat from * to end of round (=88 sts)
• Knit around for until hat measures approx 7 inches from cast on edge.  If desired, begin striping pattern here.  Alternate 1" stripes (approx 5 or 6 rows of each color).  Carefully carry alternating yarn behind the row without cutting).  Continue knitting in the round (with striping if desired) until hat measures approx 19" from cast on edge.  NOTE:  At this time, turn hat inside out and weave in any loose ends.  You will not be able to do so once you finish the hat as the hat closes in upon itself.
• Begin decrease rounds for inner cap crown as follows
• *(K2tog, K9) repeat from * to end of round (=80 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K8) repeat from * to end of round (=72 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K7) repeat from * to end of round (=64 sts)
• Knit around.  
• *(K2tog, K6) repeat from * to end of round (=56 sts)
• Knit around.  
• *(K2tog, K5) repeat from * to end of round (=48 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K4) repeat from * to end of round (=40 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K3) repeat from * to end of round (=32 sts)
• Knit around.
• *(K2tog, K2) repeat from * to end of round (=24 sts)
• *(K2tog, K1) repeat from * to end of round (=16 sts)
• *(K2tog) repeat from * to end of round (=8 sts)
• *(K2tog) repeat from * to end of round (=4 sts)
• Break off yarn, weave through remaining 4 live sts.  Pull tight.  Weave in loose end.

Finished dimensions:
Length = approx 21"
Circumference = approx 19" 
Gauge = 4.5 sts per inch 

Fold hat in half and place one end inside the other so the hat is double thick.

Notice the striped pattern at the bottom of the Super-Duper-Very-VERY-Warm Hat.

Fold cuff of hat about 3" and try on.  You simply won't believe how warm this hat can be!

Maybe I'll pitch my tent in the backyard and test this hat's winter worthiness this week.

Thank you to Cynthia of Knitting Central for bringing Trish to Westport several years ago.  I met her and fell in love with her handspun.  I purchased some yarn during each of her visits.  This is actually the first FO I made with Trish's lovely yarn.  I wonder what took me so long.

Free American Girl Doll Blanket Pattern

Last year I decided to make a holiday gift for all by writing up a pattern for the American Girl Doll (or any 18" doll).  I thought a quick and easy project would be a blanket that was a little interesting to knit.  I wrote up the instructions for a Checker Block Blanket as my holiday gift to you.

Here's my doll holding her new natural colored Checker Block Blanket before the Christmas tree.

Here she stands in front of three blankets - red, white and pink striped.

If you'd like to make a blanket for your favorite little girl and her American Girl Doll, you can download the pattern for personal use here.  Enjoy and happy holidays!

Download AGD Checker Block Blanket PDF 

Missing Mojo Knitting

I read Hakucho's blog today and loved her pile of washcloths which she self-describes as very boring.  OK - hand knit washcloths might not be cover girl material for Vogue Knitting, but I find that they definitely have their place in the knitting world.  In fact, I find dishrags (as I call them) very comforting.  My Grandma Grace used to make them and I remember having them in my house as a child.  Of course, when I moved out on my own, I developed the "wash dishes with a sponge - not a dishrag" habit so rarely use them these days.  But I still like knitting them.  I especially like knitting them when my knitting mojo ups and leaves me, which it often does in the summer.

I knit nearly a dozen dishrags this summer with leftover cotton yarn.  I tried some new patterns, stuck with my old favorites and had fun.  I know.  They're just dishrags.  But they can be fun.  I also enjoyed using up odds and ends of yarn.  I actually cleared up some space on my shelves.  

Now I just need to remember where I put my knitting accessory pouch with all my crochet hooks and darning needles so I can weave in the loose ends and call these Finished Objects.

Handknit Christmas Ornaments

I've been diving through my leftover sock yarn stash and picking out cheery yarns to make Miniature Christmas Stocking Ornaments. 

Some of the yarn is fingering weight, but other remnants are laceweight and even sport weight yarn.  I'm basically following this pattern for all four ornaments but adjusting length as needed depending on the width.  I've also adjusted the needles - US Size 2, 1 and 0s (from left to right).  The sizes are approx 5", 4" and 3" from toe to cuff.  I think the thin gold ribbon is the best for hanging.  It jazzes them up a bit.  I'm quite happy with these little cheery ornaments.  Have you made any handknit ornaments yet?

Free Pattern - Hand Knit Miniature Stocking Ornament

It's the middle of November and that means everyone is franctically looking around for a free knitting pattern and quick knit ideas for the holiday.  Here's my holiday gift to you - a free pattern for a miniature Christmas stocking.  I hope you like it. 

Here's the free pattern. Download miniature_sock_christmas_ornaments.pdf

Good luck and happy holidays!

Another Free Baby Hat Pattern with Garter Stitch Edge

Here's the last of my favorite basic baby hats.  This one can be knit either flat or in the round, but as I have stated earlier, I always think it's best to knit a baby hat in the round to eliminate any seam.  Even the most expert knitter can leave a seam that can irritate a newborn's sensitive skin.

There are many wonderful baby hat patterns out there, many of which are whimsical, witty and wise.  These three baby hats that I've shared with you this week are basic and bountiful.  I hope you'll make many hats to share with others.  Feel free to use this pattern to make gift hats or charity hats.  Spread the goodwill.

Download microsoft_word_basic_newborn_baby_hat_with_garter_stitch_edge.pdf

FREE Newborn Baby Hat Pattern - Rolled Brim

Here's another free newborn baby hat pattern.  It's plain and simple and a breeze to knit.

I used Bernat's CottonTots yarn from my stash.  This one happens to be 91713 Koolade.  With US size 7 Turbo Addi's I cast on 56 sts and knit using the Magic Loop method until I had 6 inches.  Then I started the decreases for the crown.  This one is so easy, it practically knits itself.

Here's the full pattern - Download basic_newborn_baby_hat_rolled_brim.pdf

I hope you'll enjoy knitting up some quick and easy newborn and preemie hats for that favorite baby or favorite charity in your life.  You'll be glad you did!