Sunday, January 5, 2014

Kids' Bowknot Cowl

Kids' Bowknot Cowl

Naturally, as soon as I had finished the Kids' Star Cowl for my four-year-old, my two-year-old wanted his own "garf" as well. And this bowknot pattern creates a near-perfect cowl slouch and texture. My only word of warning is to be careful about your yarn choice; I had a ton of Superwash wool on hand, and my two-year-old loved this color. It is not, however, as soft as he would prefer, and if you're knitting this for a child who's picky about textures, you may want to go for a light worsted-weight cotton or bamboo instead.

Sizes: Ages 2 - 3 (Ages 4 - 6, Ages 7 - 12)
Bowknot Pattern

Yarn: Cascade 220 Superwash (100% Superwash Wool; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #812 Turquoise – one skein (one skein, one skein)

Needles: 16" circular needle in size 6 (16" circular needle in size 7, 20" circular needle in size 6)

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

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

Cast on 90 (90, 108) stitches loosely using your 16" circular needle in size 6 (16" circular needle in size 7, 20" circular needle in size 6), place marker, and join in round. Knit three rows in a k1, p1 ribbing, and then knit one row around. And now that these four rows are complete, let's move on to the main pattern, which is Bowknot Stitch from page 133 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, except adapted for the round. So let's get started!

Friday, January 3, 2014

Kids' Star Cowl

Kids' Star Cowl

The last time I went to the knitting store, my four-year-old got on my case about wanting a new scarf (it's been like two months since I knit him anything, so he's getting antsy). And after an agonizingly long twenty minutes during which he attempted to pick out every novelty yarn in the store (including some sort of weird, Packers-colored ribbon stuff), he finally settled on this green cotton. So it's a bit dark to show off the pattern well, but it's better than the alternatives (I promise!). Of course, the next fight involved getting him to agree to a relatively simple pattern ("no, dear, I can't knit a zebra"), and after about four trial runs on the design itself, this star was born. As you can probably tell from the picture, many of the increases and decreases are embedded in the purl fabric, which disrupts it slightly. Stay tuned for a more adult version of this same star riff, as I'm working out a more elegant way to incorporate those same increases and decreases.

Sizes: Ages 2 - 6 (Ages 6 - 12)

Yarn: Lily Sugar 'n Cream (100% Cotton; 120 yards [109 meters]/70.9 grams); #16 Dark Pine – one skein (two skeins)
The star.
Once again, I apologize for the picture quality.
Children were involved.

Needles: 16" circular needle in size 8 (20" circular needle in size 8)

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette 

Cast on 90 (105) stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Knit three rows in a k1, p1 ribbing and then we'll move on to the main pattern, for which you'll need the following notation:

rt (right twist): knit two together, leaving stitches on left-hand needle; next, insert right-hand needle from the front between the two stitches just knitted together, and knit the first stitch again. Finally, slip both stitches from left-hand needle together

lt (left twist): with right-hand needle behind left-hand needle, skip one stitch and knit the second stitch in back loop; then insert right-hand needle into the backs of both stitches and k2tog-b (knit two together through back loops, inserting right needle from the right)

Wednesday, January 1, 2014

Rib & Cable Cowl

Rib & Cable Cowl

With this cowl, I figured it was high time for something simple that sat close to the neck, but still had a striking design. Hence the rib & cable cowl was born. And yeah, that's about it...
A terrible picture of the pattern.
Sorry, my two-year-old was tugging on me.

Yarn: Universal Yarn Classic Shades Sequins Lite (74% Acrylic, 22% Wool, 4% Payette; 264 yards [240 meters]/100 grams); #402 Diamond Mine – one skein

Needles: 24" circular needle in size 7, cable needle (cn) or double pointed needle for cabling

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette on size 7 needles

Cast on 135 stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. And now it's time to begin the pattern, which goes as follows:

Row 1 & 3: * k4, p5; rep from *

Row 2: * k4, yo, p2tog, p1, p2tog, yo *

Friday, December 27, 2013

Moorish Lattice Hat

Moorish Lattice Hat

Okay, I made a very similar version of this exact hat last year, for someone's Christmas gift. And when I discovered that it had been loved to the point of falling apart, I figured it was time to make a new one, and this time write the pattern down. I hope you enjoy it as much as the recipient!

Yarn: Plymouth Yarn Baby Alpaca Grande (100% Baby Alpaca; 110 yards (100 grams); #701 Ink Melange – one skein
The back!

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 10.5, one set of double-pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 10.5

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 12 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Using circular needle, cast on 72 stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Next, work 1.5" in a k1, p1 ribbing. Once the ribbing is done, we'll get down to business. And the pattern we'll be using is Moorish Lattice from page 232 of Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns, which I've adapted for the round. So let's get started!

First, we'll knit three set-up rows, which go as follows:

Set-up rows 1 - 3: * p3, k3; rep from *

Tuesday, December 17, 2013

Rib & Cable Hat

Rib & Cable Hat

The name isn't flashy but the hat looks pretty darn good anyway; pairing cables which jump ribs and, well, ribbing, this thing squeezes up tight until you're ready to stick it on your head. Yeah, I have no idea what I'm talking about. So let's just make a hat already!
The finishing!

Yarn: Berroco Vintage Chunky (50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon; 130 yards [120 meters]/100 grams); #6176 Pumpkin – one skein

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size 10, one set of double-pointed needles (dpns), also in size 10, and a cable needle (cn) or double-pointed needle for cabling

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 14 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Cast on 80 stitches, place marker, and join in round. Now we're going to work a ribbing row, which looks like so:

Ribbing row: * p1, k2, p1, (k1, p2, k1, p1) twice, k2; rep from *

Saturday, December 14, 2013

Ribbed Shell Cowl

Ribbed Shell Cowl
I've been in love with this yarn since the minute I saw it, which must have been a while ago considering it seems to be discontinued. Nevertheless, any similar-weight yarn with a decent drape to it should knit up in this pattern nicely. And this pattern also has a few nice features, like the fan-like drape of the corner of it, as well as the large ribs.
And another picture, this time from
the other side!

Yarn: Misti Alpaca Suri Silk (80% Baby Suri Alpaca, 20% Silk; 218 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); color #20 – one skein

Needles: Straight needles in size 6 (or a circular needle in size 6, but worked back and forth), cable needle (cn) or double-pointed needle for cabling

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 24 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette on size 6 needles

So let's get started! First, cast on 33 stitches loosely. And then we’ll begin the pattern, although we’ll need the following notation to continue:

bc (back cross): slide three stitches to cn and hold in back; knit three, knit three from cn

So let’s do this thing!

Sunday, December 8, 2013

Braid-Edged Cowl

Braid-Edged Cowl

Here's a fairly simply cowl that relies on cabling, ribbing, and garter stitch to create a crisp design. And yeah, that's all I've got...

Yarn: Cascade Yarns Ultra Pima (100% Pima Cotton; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #3777 African Violet - 1 skein

Needles: Straight needles in size 6 (or a circular needle, but worked back and forth)

Notions: Tapestry needle, cable needle (cn) or extra double-pointed needle for cabling, two stitch markers

Gauge: 22 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

First, cast on 25 stitches loosely. Also, you'll need the following notation to do the pattern:

fc (front cross): slide three stitches to cn, hold in front, and knit three. Then, knit the three stitches from your cn.

bc (back cross): slide three stitches to cn, hold in back, and knit three. Then, knit the three stitches from your cn.

Wednesday, December 4, 2013

Twisted Rib Hat

Twisted Rib Hat

Okay folks, here we have another sale yarn special, born from a great deal at the back rack of a Wisconsin Craft Market. That being said, I think this turned into a fairly attractive, gender-neutral beanie which pairs vertical ribbing with ever-so-slight horizontal stripes of slouch. And it's got a nice finishing. That counts for something, right?
The pattern, with its subtle twisted ribs

Yarn: Berroco Blackstone Tweed Chunky (65% Wool, 25% Superkid Mohair, 10% Angora Rabbit Hair; 60 yards [55 meters]/50 grams); #6607 Wintry Mix - 2 skeins

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size 10.5, one set of double-pointed needles (dpns), also in size 10.5

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker or scrap yarn to mark row

Gauge: 13 stitches = 4 inches

Note (2/03/14): Since I made this hat for my husband, I've been able to observe how it wears. And while it's his favorite hat, it's also gotten looser with time, so I recommend knitting at least the band with a smaller needle size (size 9 or 10), for fit. The whole thing could also be knit on a size 10 needle if you prefer a slightly more snug hat.

So let's get started. Using your circular needle, cast on 72 stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Knit five rows of the following ribbing row before moving on to the main pattern:

Sunday, December 1, 2013

Diamond Pompom Hat

Diamond Pompom Hat

If you've checked out my blog before, you know that every other pattern I've posted has been free. As a small attempt at some revenue with which to keep buying yarns, I'm offering this pattern for $1. You can expect to see many more free patterns from me in the future, and I totally get it if that's all you're interested in (economy! yarn is already expensive! there are so many nice free things out there anyway!). If you like this pattern and have an extra buck to spare, though, you can purchase it on Ravelry.



Here are the basics, if you're considering it...

Friday, November 22, 2013

Blister Stitch Hat

Blister Stitch Hat

I know, I know, it's high damn time that I made a multi-color piece. And here's what I came up with: a slightly goofy, slouchy, pom-pom bedecked ski bunny hat with all kinds of fun details: a cabled band! wee bubbles! Easter colors! etc. So let's get to it.

Yarn: Cascade Yarns 220 Superwash (100% Superwash Wool; 220 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #910A Winter White - one skein (main color), #1973 Seafoam Heather - just a bit (accent color 1), #834 Strawberry Pink - just a bit (accent color 2), #1942 Mint - just a bit (accent color 3), and #820 Lemon - just a bit (accent color 4)
Dude! Let's view it from the back.

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size 6, one set of double-pointed needles (dpns), also in size 6

Notions: Tapestry needle, cable needle (cn) or double-pointed needle (dpn) for cabling, 3 stitch markers or yarn scraps, 3 1/2" or 5/8" buttons, and a needle and thread with which to attach them

Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches

Okie-doke, so this hat is a two-parter, and we're going to begin with the band, which is knit back and forth. Of course, I'm still using my circular needles, but that's a matter of personal preference.

ANYWAY, to knit the band you'll start by casting on 18 stitches with your main-color yarn. Also, we'll be knitting a very tiny variation on the loose five-rib braid from page 169 of Barbara G. Walker's A Second Treasury of Knitting Patterns. So we'll start with some notation, move on to a couple of set-up rows that include buttonholes, and then we'll get down to business.

Saturday, November 16, 2013

Zigzag Cowl

Zigzag Cowl

Okay, last year I knit my mother a cowl out of a different color of this same yarn, and I was very impressed by its airy texture and attractive folding. So when I saw another color, especially one with such nice earth tones, I had to get it and try again. This particular cowl is really dang wide (roughly 15" - which makes it layer so nicely), and this variegated yarn suits it perfectly, creating delicate and even stripes. I chose to knit it on the shorter side so that it would sit close to the neck and keep a person warm, but with a few more inches of length it would suit warmer temperatures as well. And it's just so pretty!

The pattern
Yarn: Berroco Comfort Sock (50% Super Fine Nylon, 50% Super Fine Acrylic; 447 yards [412 meters]/100 grams); #1814 Dunedin - one skein

Needles: One set of straight needles in size 3 (fine, I knit it on a 16" circular needle, but that's because I can't stand straights. It's a back-and-forth knit either way)

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 30 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Cast on 80 stitches (you can cast on less, as long as you cast on an even number, if you don't want your piece to be quite as wide. you will lose volume, however). And now, let's begin the pattern, which is Zigzag Lace Trellis from page 190 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns.

Row 1 (wrong side) & all other odd rows: purl

Rows 2, 4, and 6: k1, * yo, k2tog; rep from *, end k1

Rows 8, 10, and 12: k1, * ssk, yo *, end k1