Alpaca Eyelet Cowl

I just knitted this cozy alpaca cowl in record time. In like, 3 days guys! ah! And it is sooooooo cozy-warm.

I based it off of this awesome pattern here:

...but I modified it (since I used bulkier yarn) by using bigger needles and casting on less stitches (which is why this is so quick!). I'd like to do another version just like this one with lightweight yarn for warmer days. The one I made is cozier looking and not as delicate.

When I get a picture of me wearing my cowl I'll add it....

Here is the pattern:


Gauge: 4x4 inches = 15 Stitches and 20 rows on size 10 needles

Needles: Size 10 circular needles (36 inch ones)

Yarn: 2 skeins of Bernat Alpaca in Tundra (only used about 1/4 of the second skein). This yarn was a Christmas present, but you can find it at Michael's.

1. Cast on 144 stitches, and join in the round. BE SUPER CAREFUL not to twist the yarn!
2. Work 4 rounds of garter stitch (knit 1 round, purl the next round, repeat).
3. Now knit the first Eyelet Section:
   
   Rnd 1: Yo, K2tog to marker
   Rnd2: K2tog, Yo to marker
   
   Repeat rounds 1 and 2 again, then repeat round 1 again.
4. Now knit the Solid Section:
   
   Knit 5 rounds of stockinette stitch (knit every round).
   Purl 1 round
   Knit 5 rounds of stockinette stitch.
5. Knit the second Eyelet Section.
6. Work 4 rounds of garter stitch (knit 1 round, purl the next round, repeat).
7. Cast off loosely.
8. Be cozyyyy.

And in case you were wondering, here's a sort-of close up where you can see the eyelet pattern, with the solid pattern in the middle, and then the eyelet pattern again:

Fitted Twisted-Star Jake Hat

Guys! I finished another hat. I used the same yarn as I did for the Oversized Slouchy Gaby Hat but I used a different color - with gray-blue-green variations. See?

Adorkable.

Here's the pattern:

Gauge: 4 stitches per inch

You'll need both a size 7 and size 8 circular needle.

To begin, cast on 70 stitches with the size 7 needle, and join in the round. Mark the beginning of the row with a stitch marker (I use a hair tie)

For the first twoish inches (I used the length of my middle finger), knit2 and purl2 in the round. You will begin and end each row with a knit2, but hey, who's perfect?

Once the cuff is at the length you want, start knitting in the round, switching to the size 8 needles, and continue knitting until the hat measures about 4ish inches ( I used the length of my palm) from the top of the cuff.

Now it's time to decrease. This decrease will make the pretty twisted star at the top of the hat, like you can see below:

First decrease row: k12, k2tog, repeat to end of row (should be five decreases).

Knit the next row.

Second decrease row: k11, k2tog, repeat to end of row.

Knit the next row.

Continue decreasing every other row, subtracting one from each decrease:

K10, k2tog
k9, k2tog
K8, k2tog
k7, k2tog
K6, k2tog
K5, k2tog

After the k5, k2tog row, I casted off the hat (because at this point I had Jake try it on and it was a perfect fit).

Cast off by cutting the yarn with about ten inches of tail, and weave it through the remaining stitches, and tie it off.

Now take it someplace really cold... :)

Oversized slouchy gaby-hat

The Smalls keep asking for their own slouchy Gaby-hats.  

Here's the pattern in case any of you feel adventurous 'cause there's no way I have the time to whip one of these up for each of you, no matter how deep my love for your pretty pretty faces.

P.S - My mum hopes ya'll like your Jammy-jams. <3

Now you too can make the slouchy green hat I'm wearing in this picture (you can't see it, but it's extra roomy in the back, and in general....I have a rather large head though :P ).

And hey don't forget guys...an apple a day keeps the doctor away (see evidence of my own impending apple consumption below) (also see close up of finished Gaby-Hat):

Let us now commence the knit-o-log!

The Yarn

I found the yarn at Michael's! It's a wool blend, and it stripes all fancy-like all by itself. :)

Lion Brand Amazing yarn in Rainforest

Gauge

4 stitches = 1 inch in stockinette stitch

Fit

Custom sized to fit an average Smalls head, in a slouchy way.

Note: A Lisa-Smalls head may warrant a decrease of about 8 or so stitches...though her hair may make up for it.

Especially perfect for stuffing up-and-in some poofy Lisa or Nina hair. <3

Cuff

Cast on 78 stitches to the size 8 circular needle. (Nina, size 8 is not THAT small. Get over it :P ).

Join for working in the round, being careful to not twist the stitches. Place marker to indicate the end of the round.

Round 1: *K2, p2, repeat from * to end of round.

Repeat Round 1 until the piece measures 6 inches from the cast on edge, for a wide, glorious cuff.

Crown

Change to the larger needle, and knit every round until the crown measures 7 inches from the top edge of the cuff.

Time to decrease! 

Next Round: K17, k2tog, k17, k2tog, k18, k2tog, k18, k2tog (74 stitches)

Knit 2 rounds.

Next Round: *K2, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round.

Knit 2 rounds.

Next Round: *K1, k2tog, repeat from * to end of round. 

Knit 2 rounds.

Next Round: *K2tog, repeat from * to end of round (This round will be a litle tight on the circular needle.)

Just a few more seconds...

Cut a 12 inch tail and thread the tail through the remaining stitches.

Remove the circular needle and pull the tail tight. Thread the tail through the center top to the inside of the hat.

Super Duper Knitting Adventure Blanket! Part 2.

While Anders was busy writing a witty reflection concerning his mixed berry yogurt exploits, I knitted an ENTIRE SQUARE.  HA!  Okay, well maybe not an entire square...but I do have a new square to present! Also featuring a kitten. 


I think that you, Caroline, would be partial to this one as well.  :)

Here's the pattern - 


Color code:


     A: Pink 
     B: Maroon
     C: Green


Cast on 40 (or multiple of 10)


For the top and bottom Border:


     knit rows 1-3.
     purl row 4...


Start the geometric pattern on a right-side (knitted) row.  On each wrong-side (purled) row, repeat the pattern of the previous row in reverse (so the colors line up).

1. k5B, k1A, k3B, k1A
2. k1B, k3A, k1B, k5A
3. k1B, k3A, k6B
4. k1B, k3A, k1B, k3A
5. k5B, k1A, k3C, k1A
6. k6A, k3C, k1A
7. k5C, k1A, k3C, k1A
8. k1C, k3B, k1C, k3A
9. k1C, k3B, k6C
10. k1C, k3B, k1C, k3A
11. k5C, k1A, k3C, k1A
12. k3A, k3C, k1A
13. k5B, k1A, k3C, k1A
14. k1B, k3A, k1B, k3A
15. k1B, k3A, k6B
16. k1B, k3A, k1B, k3A
17. k5B, k1A, k3B, k1A

Repeat the border (purl/knit) rows in reverse.  

Super Duper Knitting Adventure Blanket!

Hey guys!!


When I got sick, I got the idea of knitting a big cozy wool blanket - but not just any wool blanket!  I'm going to knit lots of 10-ish inch squares with all different kinds of knitting stitches, cables, patterns, and color-work.  So far it has been really fun.  Ten inch squares are just big enough to learn a new pattern or stitch and then start to get bored with it so it's working out really nicely. :)


I'm knitting with a few basic rules -

My current Paton's stash :)

>  I've only been using Paton's classic wool
>  I always use size 8 needles
>  and I always start with as close to 40 stitches as possible (never more than 40 stitches).


The size of the squares varies with each pattern, but I think it'll only add to the awesomeness of the blanket.  Also, once the squares are ready to put together I'll probably block them to get them closer in size.


Here are some pictures and patterns for what I've done so far!  If any of you guys want to do a square or two that'd be awesome (and it would add more awesomeness value to the blanket when its done <3 MOM - Don't even pretend like you don't have a 30 gallon size plastic container full of Patons Wool, hehehe).

Simple Basket Weave

Sand Cables 

Reversible Triangles 

Bubbles

Geometric square

Reversible Diamonds and Lozenges 

annnnnnnd (drumroll!) here's the block I'm working on right now - 

It's a really pretty textured small blocks stitch that I got from my awesome "essential stitch collection" knitting book:

 I'm having sooo much fun with this you guys!  Stay tuned for updates! :-)