Wednesday, February 11, 2015

Little Ridges Fauxflap Hat

Little Ridges Fauxflap Hat

There are only a few notes with this hat - first off, yes, I've gotten obsessed with earflap hats. They're so cute! Etc. Of course, this one isn't a true earflap hat, since the flaps are worked with shaping instead of separately to give it a different twist. And secondly, my gauge didn't match the package on this hat. And as always with a hat that's knit mostly in stockinette, that's actually important to know.

Sizes: Child (Teen/Small Adult; Large Adult)

Yarn: Berroco Vintage (52% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 8% Nylon; 218 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #5160 Wild Blueberry (color A) – one skein &
#5177 Douglas Fir – one skein (color B)

A closer view of the pattern
Needles: one 16" circular needle in size US 7, and one set of double-pointed needles (dpns) in size US 7, plus one size US 9 or larger 16" circular needle for provisional cast on

Notions: Tapestry needle, five stitch markers

Gauge: 18 stitches = 4 inches on size 7 needles

So let's get started! Using your largest needle and your color A yarn, cast on 80 (90; 100) stitches provisionally (instructions for this cast on can be found here). Transfer stitches to your size 7 needle, place marker, and join in round. Then knit the following set-up rows:

Set-up Rows 1 & 2: using color A, knit

And now it's time to move to our color pattern, which goes as follows:

Wednesday, February 4, 2015

Blue Angel Headband

Blue Angel Headband

Yes, this headband is named after a Marlene Dietrich movie for a reason; something about the shape and size reminds me of Old Hollywood, when actresses swanned around in turbans and smoked from only the most elegant of cigarette holders (side note: my five-year-old asked me what a cigarette was the other day. Precious!). It's also a super quick knit, made in super bulky yarn with the largest needles I've ever purchased. One thing to note, however, if you're going to make it: if you're not sure what size you need, size down - knitting with this gauge of yarn gives it plenty of stretch. You may also need to size down if you're working with an especially elastic yarn, or simply want a more snug fit.

Sizes: Adult Small (Adult Medium; Adult Large) (the small should fit up a 21" - 22" head; the medium a 22" - 23" head; the large a 23" - 24" head)

Yarn: Schachenmayr Lova (67% Acrylic, 30% Wool, 3% Polyamide; 55 yards [50 meters]/50 grams); #0083 Green Flash - 1 - 2 skeins (2 skeins; 2 skeins)

A closer look at the cabling
Needles: One set of needles in size US 15, one cable needle (cn)

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 11 stitches = 4 inches

So let's do this! First, cast on 15 stitches loosely. Then, knit the following rows:

Row 1 (wrong side): k1, p13, k1

Row 2: k1, (slip 1 with yarn in back (wyib), k1) 7 times

Knit rows 1 & 2 until piece measures roughly 6.5" (7"; 7.5") and you've just finished row 2 of the pattern. Then, we'll move to our cabled center, for which we'll need the following notation:

Wednesday, January 28, 2015

Doug Fir Mittens

 
Doug Fir Mittens

I don't have a terribly entertaining story about these mittens, but I'll tell it anyway. First, I wanted to design a pair. Then, I did. And though the Doug Fir Mittens are definitely on the basic side, they also have a few nice features. The cuffs, for instance, are long enough to tuck into your jacket and keep your wrists warm. Plus, the tops are nice and tapered! With any luck, I'll also be adding some kid sizes soon, although these are only sized for adults.

Sizes: Small Adult (Medium Adult; Large Adult) (the small is for a hand roughly 7 1/2" - 8" in circumference at the base of the thumb and 7" from base of palm to fingertips, and the large for a hand roughly 8 1/2" - 9" in circumference at the base of the thumb and 8" from base of palm to fingertips - and finally, go medium if you're between)

Yarn: Berroco Vintage (52% Acrylic, 40% Wool, 8% Nylon; 218 yards [200 meters]/100 grams); #5177 Douglas Fir – one skein (all sizes)

The thumb join. Yup, looks like a thumb.
Needles: one set of double-pointed needles (dpns) in size US 7, one set of dpns in size US 5

Notions: Tapestry needle

Gauge: 20 stitches = 4 inches on size 7 needles

So let's get started! Using your size 5 needles, cast on 40 (40; 44) stitches and then distribute the stitches between your needles as follows: 12 stitches on the first needle, 16 stitches on the second needle, and 12 stitches on the third needle (12 stitches on the first needle, 16 stitches on the second needle, and 12 stitches on the third needle; 14 stitches on the first needle, 16 stitches on the second needle, and 14 stitches on the third needle). Join in round, and then proceed as follows:

Ribbing Row 1: * p1, k2, p1; rep from *