Wednesday, January 13, 2016

XOXO Beanie

XOXO Beanie

First, the good news: the new head is here! She's a bit sullen and weird looking, but she'll do. I think I'll call her Hedwig (GET IT!!?!?!?!?!). Next, the even better news: I'm thinking about buying her a wig or two, just for funsies. I lined this hat with one of my husband's biking beanies to highlight the lace portion for the photos (my first attempt at lining it with a pair of my six year old's underwear was a total bust), but I think some hair might be nice. Plus, if I get her a wig I can borrow it the next time I'm antsy for a makeover.

What was I talking about? Oh yeah, the hat! I've been eyeing this cable pattern for some time now, and finally decided that it would look nice with some lace accents. It also took me about a month to finish the thing with the move and all, so I'm glad I actually completed it. Furthermore, I managed to squeak out the small size with just one skein of the Superwash Sport, although you'll definitely need two if you're making the larger size. Oh my goodness, I just keep typing! Let's get to the hat already.

Sizes: adult small (adult medium/large)

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash Sport (100% Superwash Merino Wool; 136 yards [125 meters]/50 grams); #859 Lake Chelan Heather - one to two skeins (two skeins)

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 5, one 16" circular needle in size US 6, one cable needle (cn) or double pointed needle for cabling, and one set of double pointed needles (dpn), also in size US 6

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette on size US 6 needles

So let's make a hat! Using your size US 5 circular needle, then, cast on 108 (120) stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Then we'll work our ribbing as follows for both sizes:

Ribbing Row: * k1, p2, k1; rep from *

Knit this ribbing row until hat measures roughly 1.5" (2"). Transfer work to your size US 6 circular needle. Then, and we'll begin the main pattern, which incorporates the Oxox Cable from page 255 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns and some lace strips. To knit it, you'll need to know these definitions:

fc (front cross): transfer next 2 stitches to cn and hold in front, k2, k2 from cn

bc (back cross): transfer next 2 stitches to cn and hold in back, k2, k2 from cn

And now that that's covered, we'll continue as follows for both sizes:

Row 1: knit

Row 2: * k8, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo *

Row 3: knit

Row 4: * bc, fc, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo *

Row 5: knit

Row 6: * k8, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo *

Row 7: knit

Row 8: * fc, bc, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo *

Rows 9 - 12: repeat rows 5 - 8

Rows 13 - 16: repeat rows 1 - 4

Knit rows 1 - 16 twice and then knit rows 1 - 9 once more (both sizes, although you could add one more set of 16 rows to either size if you'd like a slouchier look). Now, we'll begin our decreases, which will go as follows:

Decrease Row 1: * k2, k2tog, ssk, k2, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo * (90 stitches (100 stitches))

Decrease Row 2: knit

You will want to switch to your dpns about now...

Decrease Row 3: * slip next two stitches to cn and hold in front, k1, then, k2tog from cn; slip next stitch to cn and hold in back, ssk, k1 from cn, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo * (72 stitches (80 stitches))

Decrease Row 4: knit

Decrease Row 5:* k2tog, ssk, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo * (54 stitches (60 stitches))

Decrease Row 6: knit

Decrease Row 7: * k2tog, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo * (45 stitches (50 stitches))

Decrease Row 8: * k1, k2tog, ssk * (27 stitches (30 stitches))

Decrease Row 9: * ssk, k1 * (18 stitches (20 stitches))

Decrease Row 10: * ssk * (9 stitches (10 stitches))

Clip yarn tail and, using tapestry needle, thread through final 9 (10) stitches. Pull tight, thread to inside of hat, and knot. Tuck in ends. Place on creepy mannequin head or, if you're feeling saucy, your own.






11 comments:

  1. Gosh you have some great patterns here. I love the
    name Hedwig. lol
    Cheers, Anita.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks Anita! I was going to go with a complicated Hedy Lamarr reference for her, but it got so complex that even I got confused. Anyway, Hedwig suits her looks just fine. My six year old was like, "She looks grumpy!"

      Delete
  2. This beanie is darling, Gretchen. Now ... I'm off to knit up one or two for my XOXO-worthy.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Glad you like it! And that's exactly what I had in mind. :) It's called the "Oxox" cable in the book, but that really takes the oomph out.

      Delete
  3. She looks grumpy because she's slumpy! Gosh, you'd think manikins would have better posture. Love the xoxo! Definitely better than oxox! And Hedwig definitely deserves a wig. Be sure to get one that suits you as well. Can hardly wait to see it. ;-)

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yeah, we'll see how it turns out! I will probably just order the cheapest though!!!

      Delete
  4. Could I knit this pattern flat & not in the round?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi there!

      Yes, this pattern could be knit flat and then seamed. Let me know if you'd like help converting it! :)

      Delete
  5. Yes please that would be fantastic

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Okay, just give me a day or two! :)

      Delete
    2. All right, here you go!

      Sizes: adult small (adult medium/large)

      So let's make a hat! Using your size US 5 needle, then, cast on 110 (122) stitches loosely. Then we'll work our ribbing as follows for both sizes:

      Ribbing Row 1 (wrong side): p2, * k2, p2; rep from *

      Ribbing Row 2 (right side): k2, * p2, k2 *

      Knit ribbing rows 1 & 2 until hat measures roughly 1.5" (2") and you've just finished a right side row. Transfer work to your size US 6 needle. Then, and we'll begin the main pattern, for which you'll need to know these definitions:

      fc (front cross): transfer next 2 stitches to cn and hold in front, k2, k2 from cn

      bc (back cross): transfer next 2 stitches to cn and hold in back, k2, k2 from cn

      And now that that's covered, we'll continue as follows for both sizes:

      Row 1 (wrong side): purl

      Row 2: k1, * ssk, yo, k8, yo, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left in row, end k1

      Row 3: purl

      Row 4: k1, * ssk, yo, bc, fc, yo, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left in row, end k1

      Row 5: purl

      Row 6: k1, * ssk, yo, k8, yo, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left in row, end k1

      Row 7: purl

      Row 8: k1, * ssk, yo, fc, bc, yo, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left in row, end k1

      Rows 9 - 12: repeat rows 5 - 8

      Rows 13 - 16: repeat rows 1 - 4

      Knit rows 1 - 16 twice and then knit rows 1 - 8 once more (both sizes, although you could add one more set of 16 rows to either size if you'd like a slouchier look). Now, we'll begin our decreases, which will go as follows:

      Decrease Row 1 (wrong side): purl

      Decrease Row 2: k1, * ssk, yo, k2, k2tog, ssk, k2, yo, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left in row, k1 (92 stitches (102 stitches))

      Decrease Row 3: purl

      Decrease Row 4: k1, * ssk, yo, slip next two stitches to cn and hold in front, k1, then, k2tog from cn; slip next stitch to cn and hold in back, ssk, k1 from cn, yo, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, k1 (74 stitches (82 stitches))

      Decrease Row 5: purl

      Decrease Row 6: k1, * ssk, yo, k2tog, ssk, yo, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, k1 (56 stitches (62 stitches))

      Decrease Row 7: purl

      Decrease Row 8: k1, * ssk, yo, k2tog, yo, k2tog; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, k1 (47 stitches (52 stitches))

      Decrease Row 9: p1, * p2tog, p1, purl 2 together through back loops (p2tog-tbl); rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, p1 (29 stitches (32 stitches))

      Decrease Row 10: k1 * k1, ssk; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, k1 (20 stitches (22 stitches))

      Decrease Row 11: p1 * p2tog-tbl; rep from * until you have 1 stitch left, p1 (11 stitches (12 stitches))

      Clip yarn tail and, using tapestry needle and scrap yarn, thread final 11 (12) stitches to scrap yarn to hold. Seam from brim of hat, threading seaming thread through final stitches when you reach them. Pull tight, thread to inside of hat, and knot. Tuck in ends.

      Delete