Sunday, January 19, 2014

Heather's Hat

Heather's Hat

My sister is currently visiting for the weekend (possibly longer, if my children successfully execute their plan to lock her in the closet so she has to play with them indefinitely), so I thought I might knit her a hat. And after seeing something similar-ish out and getting inspired, I came up with this simple but very attractive slipped-stitch hat, knit in a textured cotton that I already had on hand. Furthermore, while I think you could reduce the hat's texture by blocking it (the tension of the slipped stitch stripes causes the knit-only portions to bulge), I kind of think the rippling is one of the hat's best features. Whatever you decide to do with yours, however, here's the pattern!
From ze back.

Yarn: Queensland Collection Pima Fresca (100% Pima Cotton; 145.4 yards [133 meters]/100 grams); #20 Limestone - 1 skein

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size US 8, one 16" circular needle in size US , and one set of double pointed needles (dpns), also in size US 8

Notions: tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 16 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Using your size 6 circular needle, cast on 96 stitches loosely, place marker, and join in round. Knit 5 rows around, and then switch to your size 8 circular needle. And now, let's start on the pattern! Also, remember to keep your yarn loose when you slip stitches; otherwise, your slipped-stitch stripes will close up.

Row 1: * slip 4 stitches with yarn in front, k8; rep from *

Friday, January 17, 2014

Slipped Cable Hat

Slipped Cable Hat

With the last couple of posts (specifically, the North Star Hat and the Basket Tweed Hat), I've been developing three color change hat patterns which can all be knit with the same three skeins of yarn (so, you know, you can buy three skeins and then make three hats, all with three colors!). So here's the last one, and, perhaps, the most attractive...
The finishing

Yarn: Berroco Vintage Chunky (50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon; 130 yards [120 meters]/100 grams); #6167 Dewberry - 1 skein, #6123 Blush - 1 skein, and #6185 Tide Pool - skein

Needles: One 16" circular needle in size 10, and one set of double-pointed needles (dpns), also in size 10

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 14 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

Using your circular needle and your main color (in our case, #6167 Dewberry), cast on 80 stitches, place marker, and join in round. Knit one set-up row as follows:

Set-up Row 1: * k6, p2; rep from *

And now we'll start the pattern on this one, which is Slipped Cable Rib from page 106 of Barbara G. Walker's A Treasury of Knitting Patterns, except adapted for the round. And here it is:

Wednesday, January 15, 2014

Basket Tweed Hat

Basket Tweed Hat

As promised with the North Star Hat, I'm currently posting a series of three color change hats that can all be knit with the same three skeins of yarn. And here's the second one, which is made by creating a cabled band, and then picking up stitches along the edge for a drop stitch pattern in the body of the hat. So let's get to it!
Finished with a star design!

Yarn: Berroco Vintage Chunky (50% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 10% Nylon; 130 yards [120 meters]/100 grams); #6123 Blush - 1 skein, #6185 Tide Pool - 1 skein, and #6167 Dewberry - 1 skein

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

Notions: Tapestry needle, stitch marker

Gauge: 14 stitches = 4 inches in stockinette

To knit this hat, we're going to begin with the band, for which you'll use your circular needle, although you'll be knitting back and forth (well, if you want to use your dpns for this, you could do that too). Anyway, begin by casting on 16 stitches with your main color yarn (for me, that's the blush), and then we'll move straight to the pattern: