Recently in Patterns Category

First up, let me clarify that this is actually a Debbie Bliss pattern.  But the original was written so you'd knit the hat flat and seam it up.  Which we all know is sort of a dumb way to knit a hat.  Also, the decreases at the top of the hat lacked elegance.  I reworked them so they are incorporated in the stitch pattern.  And in this pattern, I used Sundara Yarn Fingering Silky Merino, which resulted in a smaller gauge.

And finally, please note the big asterisks by the circumference.  **I realized when I was nearly finished with the hat, that one of my two circulars was actually a size 2 instead of a size 3.  Oops.  When I knit in the round, I do this complicated moving the project around the needles so I don't get a jog.  So some of these stitches were knit on size 2 needles instead of size 3 and because of this, the circumference may not be totally accurate.  Since I need another hat for the other baby, this hat will get knit again and I'll update it with the accurate measurements. I will also update it with the accurate seed stitch gauge.  The stockinette gauge is given so you have some sort of gauge to go by.

Materials

Sundara Yarn Fingering Silky Merino, Fingering Merino Cashmere or Sock Yarn.  Yarn shown is Fingering Silky Merino in a Limited Edition colorway and you'll need about 30 grams of Fingering Silky Merino.

U.S. size 3/3.25mm needles, either DPNs or Circular(s).

Cable needle

Tapestry needle for finishing

Stitch marker

Gauge

10cm / 4 inches = 30 sts / 36 rows in stockinette stitch.

Size

0-6 months, 13.5 inches in circumference, unstretched. **see note above pattern.

 

Abbreviations

CO = cast on

St st = stockinette stitch

Seed Stitch = 1^st row – knit one, purl one.  2^nd row – purl one, knit one

C3B = slip 3 stitches to cable needle, hold in back of work, knit 3 stitches, knit the 3 stitches from the cable needle.

K2tog = knit two stitches together

P2tog = purl two stitches together

Inc = knit into the front and back loop of the stitch

 

The Pattern

Brim

CO 102 stitches, join for working in the round, being careful not to twist work and placing stitch marker between the first and last stitch.

 

St st 6 rows.

Increase row: [Knit 16, inc 1] repeat to end (108 stitches).

 

Cable and Seed stitch section

Round 1-4: [Seed stitch 12 stitches, knit 6 stitches] repeat to end.

Round 5: [Seed stitch 12 stitches, C3B] repeat to end.

These 5 rows form the pattern. Continue on in pattern until 6 more cables have been worked, for a total of 7 cables/35 rows.

 

Crown

You will now begin decreasing. Continue the C3B every 5 rounds.

 

Round 1: [Seed stitch 10 stitches, K2tog or P2tog,* knit 6] repeat to end. P2tog, if it is a purl, K2tog.

Round 2: [Seed stitch 11** stitches, knit 6 stitches] repeat to end. **the number of stitches that should be knit in seed stitch will decreased by 1 after each round 1 worked.

 

Repeat these two rounds 3 more times. (84 sts)

Repeat Round 1* every round until 1 purl stitch remains between cables.  This round looks best if the decrease is a P2tog.  (42 sts)

 

*If you are currently on a K2tog, switch to a P2tog, incorporating the P2tog into the seed stitch pattern as you see fit.

Purl the purl stitches and K2tog the 2 edge stitches on each side of the cables. (30 sts)

Purl the purl stitches and K2tog the center 2 stitches of the cables. (24sts)

[P2tog, K2tog] repeat to end (12 sts). Repeat this round 2 more times (3sts).

 

I-Cord

With the 3 stitches on 1 DPN or circular needle, knit all 3 stitches, slip stitches to the beginning of the needle, knit the 3 stitches again. Continue until I-cord is 1 1⁄4 inch long. Cast-off.

 

Weave in ends.  Do not block hat.  Washing is optional.

 

Notes

This hat is easily increased in size. Simply add a seventh panel of seed stitch and cable, by increasing the cast on amount by 17 stitches for a total of 119 stitches. You may also want to add an eighth cable twist for a total of 40 rows before you begin the decreases. You will need additional yarn, but no more than 1 skein of the 3 suggested yarns.

I have several friends and family members who will be having babies this fall, so I'm on a baby knits kick.  I've also been enthralled with crochet for the last few weeks, so technically, I'm on a baby crochet kick.  I wanted to crochet a little beanie that a baby could wear home from the hospital and, because all things for newborns are sort of ridiculous, I wanted to use the hand-washable DK Silky Cashmere.

I was unable to find a pattern for a newborn hat that was sufficiently gender neutral and worked with our DK Silky Cashmere, so I decided to figure out a pattern myself.  This is my first crochet pattern I've ever made up, and probably only the fourth or fifth thing I've ever crocheted, so bear with me, as I'm not totally sure what I'm doing.

1/2 skein Sundara Yarn DK Silky Cashmere, color shown is "Spring Fresh" (which is no longer available.)

3.5mm crochet hook

gauge:  22 stitches per 4 inches and 18 rows per 4 inches

Mark the beginning of each round with a stitch marker, moving the marker each round.

HDC = Half Double Crochet

Chain 4 stitches, join into a circle with a slip stitch.

Round 1) HDC in each chain stitch. (4 stitches)

Round 2) 2 HDC in each stitch. (8 stitches)

Round 3) 2 HDC in each stitch. (16 stitches)

Round 4) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next stitch, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (24 stitches)

Round 5) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 2 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (32 stitches)

Round 6) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 3 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (40 stitches)

Round 7) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 4 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (48 stitches)

Round 8) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 5 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (56 stitches)

Round 9) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 6 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (64 stitches)

Round 10) 2 HDC in first stitch, [HDC in next 7 stitches, 2 HDC in following stitch]. (72 stitches)

For all subsequent rounds, HDC in each stitch.  Continue until hat measures 5 inches from top to bottom edge.

Join first and last stitch in final round with a slip stitch.  Weave in ends.

I did not wash or block my hat.

Then, a month or two ago, I was looking for fun little hand-made objects for us to add to Sundara Yarn and I found these flower pins, which we now have available.

For whatever reason, I thought they would look fabulous on a hat with a bit of a cloche-like shape and knit out of my longed-for corrugated ribbing.  And so this little hat pattern was born.  

The pattern has sizes to fit anybody and the hat is pretty stretchy, so the fit is very forgiving.  Perfect if you are knitting a gift hat and don't want to give away the surprise by measuring the intended head.  And all four sizes can be knit out of 1 skein of Sport Merino or 1 skein of DK Silky Cashmere.  I figured the sport merino would be better for babies, kids and adults who might get the hat dirty so it can be easily thrown into the wash and the DK Silky Cashmere will work for those of us who enjoy a softer, cushier hat.

I had the most fun knitting the two-colored version and I love how the inner stripes are a bit hidden when the hat is off, but really pop when the hat is on.  Once I find an infant I can photograph, I'll post a photo of the hat on an actual cute child.

In the mean time, here is Alana wearing the bigger version out of DK Silky Cashmere and featuring the fantastic flower pins.

This scarf is my ode to the Chevron Scarf in Last-Minute Knitted Gifts, except I knit it in garter stitch, as I enjoy the squishiness of Sock Yarn in garter stitch better than stockinette.  It gives the scarf a bit more heft and structure and it is the perfect project to use up 2 skeins of sock yarn.

Since I modified the original pattern, I thought I'd tell you how I knit mine, in case you want to knit yourself one as well. 

On US 5/3.75mm needles using Color 1, cast on 48 stitches.  

Knit 4 rows.

With Color 2:

Row 1: K2tog 4 times, KF&B 8 times, K2tog 8 times, KF&B 8 times, K2tog 4 times

Row 2: Knit all stitches

With Color 1:

Row 3 and 4: Knit all Stitches

Repeat Rows 1-4 until the scarf measures 60" or until desired length, ending with Row 2.  Knit four more rows with Color 1. Cast off.

For the 60" scarf, I used about 3/4 each of the two skeins of sock yarn. 

KF&B = knit into the front and back loop

I choose two of my favorite colorways, "Dahlia" and "Daffodil" sock yarn and I happen to have 1 skein of both these colors. I thought I'd give them to someone who wanted to knit a scarf just like mine, so if you do, leave a comment by 5pm Friday, February 26, Seattle time, and I'll pick a winner at random. 

And, if you haven't already bought Last Minute Knitted Gifts, you most certainly should.

Update!  The random number generator gave me #26, which is Kathleen.  Congratulations!  

Thank you to everyone for your lovely, lovely comments.  You've all made my week!  We are going to try to dye up some of the Dahlia and Daffodil colorways so if you really want to knit the scarf in these colors, and you don't mind waiting, we'll do what we can!