Rib Stitch "Princess Taylor Scarf"

This hat and scarf set was made for my boyfriend's (at the time) little niece Taylor. Obviously coming up with sentimental gifts for guys is a difficult task, and after I had a wonderful man by my side through my major back surgery, I thought one of the ways I could thank him was to make something for his niece who means the world to him. I was also thrilled to have an adorable little princess to have a project to work on for.

I wanted to create a light fabric as Taylor lives in Destin, Florida and probably won't be needing anything heavy. I also wanted something durable and washable as lets face it, she's four. I used a pink cotton/acrylic blend pom-popm yarn. Each skein was 50 grams and although I used three, I had tons left over.

I cast on with size 4 needles 35 stitches and made the scarf with a simple rib stitch in multiples of 5. Literally 5K 5P for about 2 feet. For the hat I used circular size 4 needles and cast on 70 and continued to use the 5K 5P rib stitch. I kind of winged it when decreasing for the top and simply used a calculator to decrease every 10, every 7, every 5, etc until I had closed up the top with a darting needle.

I knew I wanted to add a pom-pom on the hat but had no idea how to do that. I just googled "knitting pom-pom patterns" and found one that was easy looking. Basically I used the side of a cardboard box and cut out 2 circles about 2" across and with a donut hole in the middle. After wrapping the yarn around again and again and again (use a darting needle, it made this easier!) I cut in between the two cardboard holes and tied the middle very tightly and "fluffed" the pom-pom out. Here is an example of a site I used: http://www.craftown.com/knitpat6.htm

It turned out pretty cute and got some great compliments on a very simple project. Unfortunately, the recipient of this never even acknowledged that I sent something to her (or her mom actually) which bums me only because I never got to see a picture of Taylor in it! Oh well... it was fun to make regardless. The boy is out of the picture too so we'll just say the next "Princess Scarf" will have to be made with an actual Prince in my life ;-)

Rib Stitch Scarf

In a care package from my Aunt Shelly and Aunt Wendy I received post back surgery, I got four skeins of LionBrand Homespun Yarn. I think this yarn needs a really simple pattern as it already has somewhat of it's own texture. In my opinion it's pointless to do any intricate patterns because you can't see them with the yarn anyway.

Using 2 skeins of the Homespun (98% acylic / 2% polyester, 170gram) I made a rib stitch scarf and beanie set. I used a K3 P3 pattern and made my scarf about 7 feet.

For the hat I used size 8 circular needles- cast on 90 stitches and knit a ribbed stitch of k2, p2 for about 6 inches. I decreased by knitting 2tog on every other row till it was k2tog on every stitch. Then I used a darting needle to thread through all stitches and pulled tight to knot. I finished by threading the yarn through the inside.

The ribbing makes it very thick and yummy. I ended up giving this set to my "Mary Mom" who is not only my own Mom's best friend but someone who has been like a second mom to me for many years. I'm hoping it will entice her to brave the Chicago winters again for a visit :-)

Baby Booties

These were one of those projects that is WAAAAAAY easier than it looks. I took the pattern from one of my knitting buddies, Lizzie, who promised me they were quick and easy. I decided to try out the pattern for a co-worker, Tracy, who is due in a few weeks and doesn't know what she's having.

I chose a "silver sage" color of a cotton/wool blend (washable) and it was very easy to work with. On size 7 straight needles I followed the pattern below and finished them off with a little bow and tied them together with a "congrats" tag...

They were a big hit and took about 30 minutes each foot.

These instructions are written for smallest size. If changes are necessary for larger sizes the instructions will be written thus ( ). Cast on 28 (36-44) sts. Knit 2 rows (garter st).

Next row: (RS). Inc 1 st in first st. Knit to end of row.Rep last row 5 times more. 34 (42-50) sts.Knit 4 (6-8) rows.

Next row: (RS). K1. K2tog. Knit to end of row.Rep last row 5 times more. 28 (36-44) sts.Shape cuff: Cast off 4 (6-7) sts beg next 2 rows. 20 (24-30) sts.

Place marker at each end of last row. Knit 8 rows. Cast off loosely.

FINISHING: Fold Bootie in half, matching markers. Sew foot seam to markers. I just wound all the ends in and then flipped the bootie inside out and folded over the cuffs. Simple as that!

Halloweenie Beanie (aka The Pumpkin Head Hat)

(This is my adorable nephew modeling the pumpkin head)

I made FOUR of these suckers for a co-worker who's wife was having (get ready for this) QUADS (um, hence the four hats). I didn't think I could handle four baby blankets, so hats it was... They were fun to make and the pattern can totally be used for just a regular winter hat. I think each hat took about 2-3 hours, then another hour for the leaf, icord, and finishing.

So here it is: The Reversible Knit Halloweenie Beanie Recipe

Yarn: I am used this amazing, soft wool in "squash" (orange) and for the pumpkin's stem, I used a small amount of Lion Brand in a kelly green color. I had the green left over from a scarf I made a hundred years ago. This pattern took a little more than one skein of orange, and a very small amount of green.

Needles: I used a size 9 circular needle (16" circular) for most of the hat and switched to size 9 double-pointed needles when needed during decreasing. I used the double pointed to make an icord for the stem and then just the same circular ones for the leaf

I'm not sure the gauge matters TOO much for the hat- it depends on what size you want it to be! and for the stem and leaf... doesn't matter at all.

For the beanie:

1. On circular needles, cast on 88 stitches in orange yarn and join to knit in the round. Place stitch marker at start of round.

2. Knit 4, Purl 4 all the way around to create a ribbed edge. I did this for a little over an inch, or about five rows.

3. For the body, the hat is basically stockinette with a single rib every eight stitches. So you will Knit 7, Purl 1 all the way around for the entire body for until hat measures 6" from base, including rib.

4. The reason this hat is reversible is because when you begin decreasing, rather than knitting two stitches together (as I have in all my other hats) here I decided to Purl two stitches together, which creates a decrease ridge that perfectly lines up with the purl ridges on the reverse stockinette side of the hat:

5. Start decreasing by knitting six stitches, purling two stiches together and repeat all the way around the row.

6. For all the remaining rows, you'll knit until you see that purl stitch coming -- you'll see it -- and then purl together the plain stitch before it plus the lone purl stitch.

Or if that's too confusing, just follow this:
Knit 6, P2 together
Knit 5, P2 together
Knit 4, P2 together
Knit 3, P2 together
Knit 2, P2 together

But I found this to be the easiest hat to decrease of all the hats I've made -- you don't need to count to know when to decrease, just look for that purl ridge in your stockinette and you're ready to decrease. Decreasing purlwise (fancypants way of saying "purl two together") is just as easy as decreasing the regular way.

7. Switch to double points when there are too few stitches to fit around the circular needle.

8. Thread large eye needle through stitches and remove from needles. Stitch down through top of hat to secure and keep from unraveling. Finish and weave in ends.

For this particular hat, I actually flipped it inside out because I thought the "reverse" side was better for a pumpkin, but it's a cute beanie on either side...

I added the stem and leaf with my darting needle and secured it on the inside. Vooola!

I can't seem to find the pattern for the leaf as it was one that came out of my knitting-guru's head, but it was simple and took just a few minutes. However, there is another leaf that would work and the pattern for that is under the boss's wife's wine coozie. I attached the leaf and icord to the top and was all done!

So... Welcome Krol Babies! And congrats to Matt and Michelle on your four BOYS!

The Ruffle Scarf

This is one of the easiest scarves to make and it's one that collects a ton of compliments. The trick is the yarn...

I used one called Solo 194 which I bought at an expensive little boutique shop in the Gold Coast, Chicago, called "We'll keep you in Stitches". You need about 3 balls of the stuff and size 4 needles (tiny!). You can also buy the "Ruffle" yarn that Lion Brand makes, however they only have it in 3 colors: black, cream, and tweed. Honestly I've seen some other colors here and there online, but they are not cheap and I can never find the same site again! Here is a place to find the Lion Brand though, which is a little less expensive: http://store.knitting-warehouse.com/yarn-lion-ruffles.html

To "cast on" I just threaded the top side (the one that doesn't curl under) of the tape yarn using 5 stitches about an inch and a half apart. It's the puckering that makes the ruffle along with the thick yarn. To add a new ball, I simply overlapped the end of the old one with the beginning of the new one making sure the yarn was in the same position (with the curling part at the bottom). Here is a site that really helped me the second time I had to "remember" how to make this: http://learntoknit.lionbrand.com/cgi-bin/faq-search.cgi?store=/stores/eyarn&faqKey=263

Just make this as long as you'd like it and cast off normally. I have made several (see pics) and they whip up very quickly. They're a great gift and look way harder than they actually are to make!

The Garter Stitch

The Garter stitch is the first basic stitch that any beginning knitter can execute to make a simple (but still awesome) scarf. Depending on the yarn used, you can whip up something easy and quick that still makes a great gift.

I made this rainbow scarf using a fun sock yarn I found on-sale at an overpriced boutique in the South Loop (which will remain nameless because we no longer like the owners of the store). I couldn't really tell how the scarf would look as the yarn obviously was a ball of green and other various colors, but I was happy with the way it turned out. My mom was also happy and has claimed this as hers, so Merry Early Christmas :-)

I used size 9 straight needles and 2 balls of 100gram sock weight yarn. I cast on 20 stitches and then just knit the entire thing. I added on the tassels using a basic slip knot selecting from the remaining yarn only the greener shades (which you can't see from the picture). If she's lucky, I might just make a matching hat next...

Baby Prentice's Blankey

I made a very soft and fuzzy baby blanket for a girl that I work with's baby who was born 2 days after my own birthday this year. Her name is Erin and she works on my team at Hubbard but out of her home in Austin Texas. We've become good friends and I wanted to make something for the birth of her first child, Connor Jackson Prentice.

I originally had a cute pattern that I had created with my knitting-guru, Lisa, however when I started working with the yarn I had bought for the project, I realized you couldn't even see the stitches. I felt it would just make more sense to do a simple garter stitch. Then I came up with the idea to switch my size 7 circular needles with a size 15 every few rows to create a "stripes" effect. It came out pretty cool. I used a "lemon lime sorbet" color that was some kind of cotton nylon blend... and as uber soft and yummy as it feels, it was a true pain in the tush to work with.

The issue I had with this yarn was that a.) it kept falling apart on me and b.) since it was essentially 2 pieces (one a white cotton fluff and the other almost a colored floss) that I kept splitting stitches thus increasing on almost every row.

I have to admit that the blanket came out as more of a baby-cape as it was so much larger on one end then the other, but, oh well... I'm pretty sure baby P won't care TOO much. It's super soft and I'm hoping the time it took to FINALLY FINISH this sucker will outshine the fact that it's totally homeade looking.

Welcome Baby Connor and congrats to Erin and Mark Prentice :-)

My first Prayer Shawl

A few months ago my Aunt Shelly was diagnosed with breast cancer for the second time in a few years. As more of a preventative measure she decided to move forward with a double mastectomy. I know this was a scary decision, and on top of having a few breast issue scares myself and her being an Aunt that I am closest with, I wanted to make something for her that let her know how much I was thinking about her and how much I love her.

My mom purchased a book for me called "the Prayer Shawl companion" by Janet Bristow and Victoria Cole-Galo with various patterns and explanations about the history of the prayer shawl ministry. I chose a pattern that I felt reflected the meaning and beauty of what I was trying to create (and let's not lie, it looked like something I could actually pull off).

I picked out an off white Boucle yarn that came in 140g skeins. I think it was an acrylic/poly blend but it really looked like a forgiving yarn (keeping in mind that I was still hesitant if I could really knit this successfully) to work with. I actually only ended up using about a skein and a half with size 11 straight needles. The pattern mentioned that using larger needles would give the shawl a lacier affect and using smaller needles and/or thicker yarn would make it more heavy.

It was actually fairly easy to pull off as the pattern really only had 3 rows to keep repeating. The second and third row were simply knit row 2 and purl row 3. Easy enough. Row 1 was a bit more difficult: k1, k2tog, k4, yo, k1, yo, k4, k2tog twice, k4, yo, k1, yo, kn4, k2tog, k1, repeat all.

I then added tassels on the ends and of course my little tag that says "hand made by Erin" (I know I know, this pushed me over into a classified geek).

This was actually the first real gift I have made with my knitting that I'm really proud of. My Aunt Shelly had her surgery last week and is healing exceptionally well. She was also deemed cancer-free. My only hope is that my prayer shawl can assist in a small way to keep her spirits high in knowing she is very very loved.

The Paddle Scarf

This is probably one of the funniest looking scarves (and I say that very lovingly) I've ever made but I attribute it all to the itchy yarn I selected and the fact that it looks like an oar. Nonetheless, it was a fantastic way to learn several different stitches in one project. I guess I take back the ugly comment because my knitting guru (www.sifudesignstudios.com) and dear friend created the pattern, but as much as I admit it is a genius way to learn, I will never wear it but will always appreciate it's worth.

So keeping in mind I already "knew" how to knit when I started the beginning knitting class with Lisa, this was the scarf that literally changed my life. Okay that is a bit dramatic, but during the birth of this scarf I not only mastered knitting "Continental" but found a true love of the craft.

To start this "paddle" we chose a basic wool yarn with size 8 bamboo "sticks" as I like to call them. Using the garter stitch cast on, we started with the basic garter stitch for 40 rows. The garter stitch is simply knitting on top of knitting so both sides show the same thing. We then reversed the fabric by purling on top of the knit row and then alternating purl and knit rows. For several rows after each switch, we worked with the Stockinette stitch which is knit one whole row and then purl one whole row. After several switcharoos, we learned the rib.

I like the ribbed stitch as it's a bit more advanced looking. The rib stitch is simply a knit 2 purl 2. Something to keep in mind about this stitch is the ribbing actually puckers the yarn so that you lose some serious width. For example, when going from the stockinette stitch to the rib stitch, the scarf went from approximately 6 inches across to perhaps 4 inches (see photo) successfully creating the paddle look.

Repeating all above in the reverse order, the scarf was complete... and the fascination of knitting was official. Although there was scarves made before and will be countless projects to follow, I owe my skill and obsession to this silly scarf.