Thursday, August 20, 2009

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!

Monday, August 17, 2009

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!


Friday, August 14, 2009

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!

Saturday, August 1, 2009

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...